Are you planning to study in Australia but worried about the high cost of international education? Deakin University offers a range of scholarships for international students, and eligible students may be able to significantly reduce the cost of studying in Australia.
For students from eligible developing countries, the Australia Awards Scholarships are particularly important because they can provide comprehensive financial support for study at participating Australian universities, including Deakin University.
In addition, Deakin University offers its own international scholarships that can reduce tuition fees by a significant percentage.
This guide explains the scholarship opportunities available at Deakin University for the 2026–2027 study period, eligibility requirements, benefits, application process and official application links.
About Deakin University
Deakin University is a major Australian university with campuses in Victoria, including Melbourne, Geelong and Warrnambool. The university offers undergraduate, postgraduate and research programs across a wide range of academic fields.
International students can choose programs in areas such as:
- Business and management
- Information technology
- Engineering
- Health sciences
- Nursing
- Education
- Psychology
- Law
- Science
- Arts and humanities
- Media and communication
- Environmental studies
- Sports and exercise science
Deakin also provides a dedicated scholarship search tool where international applicants can filter opportunities according to their citizenship, study level and field of study.
Are Deakin University Scholarships Fully Funded?
This is an important point.
Not every Deakin University scholarship is fully funded. Many of Deakin’s scholarships provide a percentage reduction in tuition fees, rather than covering all study and living expenses.
For example, Deakin currently lists international scholarships that can provide tuition-fee reductions, including its 20% Merit Scholarship. Eligible students may receive a 20% reduction in tuition fees for the normal duration of their program.
However, eligible students from participating countries may also apply for the Australia Awards Scholarships, an Australian Government program that supports study at participating Australian universities, including Deakin University.
Australia Awards benefits may include:
- Full tuition fees
- Return air travel
- Establishment allowance
- Overseas Student Health Cover
- Contribution toward living expenses
- Other approved study-related benefits
The exact benefits and conditions depend on the Australia Awards program and the applicant’s country.
Therefore, applicants should always check the official scholarship conditions before assuming that a particular Deakin scholarship covers all expenses.
Deakin International Scholarships
Deakin University offers several scholarships specifically for international students.
According to the university, many international students are automatically considered for certain scholarships when they apply to study at Deakin.
Some scholarships require a separate application, while others are assessed automatically based on academic merit.
Deakin International 20% Merit Scholarship
The Deakin International 20% Merit Scholarship provides eligible international students with a 20% reduction in total tuition fees for the normal duration of their program.
To be considered, applicants generally need to:
- Be a new international student enrolling in a Deakin degree.
- Meet the academic requirements for their selected course.
- Meet the English-language requirements where applicable.
- Meet the specific conditions of the scholarship.
Deakin states that undergraduate applicants need at least a 65% average or equivalent in previous studies for this scholarship.
This scholarship is not fully funded because it does not cover all tuition and living costs, but it can make studying in Australia considerably more affordable.
Deakin Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship
Another important opportunity is the Deakin Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship.
This scholarship is designed for high-achieving international students and provides a significant tuition-fee reduction.
Unlike many of Deakin’s other international scholarships, applicants need to submit a separate application for the Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship.
Because competition can be strong, applicants should prepare their academic documents and supporting materials carefully before applying.
Australia Awards Scholarships at Deakin University
For students looking for a genuinely comprehensive scholarship opportunity, the Australia Awards Scholarships are worth investigating.
The program is funded by the Australian Government and supports students from eligible developing countries to undertake undergraduate or postgraduate study at participating Australian universities.
Deakin University is among the Australian universities where Australia Awards scholars may study, subject to the program’s country and course requirements.
The scholarship may cover:
- Full tuition fees
- Return international airfare
- Living expenses
- Health insurance
- Establishment allowance
- Other approved study-related costs
However, Australia Awards eligibility is country-specific. Not every international student is eligible.
Applicants should therefore check the official Australia Awards information for their country before preparing an application.
Who Can Apply?
Eligibility depends on the particular scholarship.
For Deakin’s international scholarships, applicants generally need to:
- Be an international student.
- Apply for an eligible Deakin University program.
- Meet the academic entry requirements.
- Meet English-language requirements.
- Satisfy the specific scholarship conditions.
- Meet any citizenship or nationality requirements.
For Australia Awards, applicants must also come from a participating country and satisfy the Australian Government’s eligibility requirements.
The requirements can change between countries and scholarship rounds, so applicants should always check the official information before submitting an application.
What Documents May Be Required?
Depending on the scholarship and course, applicants may need documents such as:
- Valid passport
- Academic certificates
- Academic transcripts
- English-language test results, if required
- Curriculum vitae (CV)
- Personal statement or study plan
- Recommendation letters, where required
- Proof of relevant work experience, if required
- Research proposal for some research programs
- Other supporting documents requested by the university or scholarship provider
Do not upload documents that are not requested. Always follow the instructions provided on the official application portal.
How to Apply for Deakin University Scholarships
The application process depends on the scholarship.
Step 1: Choose your course
First, find a Deakin University undergraduate, postgraduate or research program that matches your academic background and career goals.
Step 2: Check the entry requirements
Review the academic and English-language requirements for your chosen program.
Meeting the university admission requirements does not automatically mean that you will receive a scholarship.
Step 3: Search for scholarships
Use Deakin’s official scholarship search tool to find scholarships available to international students.
You can filter the results by:
- International student status
- Nationality
- Study level
- Academic merit
- Field of study
- Intake
- Application status
Deakin provides an official scholarship finder for this purpose.
Step 4: Apply for admission
Submit your application for your selected Deakin University course.
For many international scholarships, Deakin automatically considers eligible students based on their application and academic performance.
Step 5: Submit a separate scholarship application if required
Some scholarships require a separate application.
For example, Deakin states that the Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship requires a separate application.
Step 6: Apply for Australia Awards separately
If you are from an eligible Australia Awards country, you should follow the Australia Awards application process for your country.
The application process, opening dates and requirements can vary depending on the country.
Important Application Advice
If you are serious about studying at Deakin University with scholarship support, do not wait until the last minute.
Prepare your academic documents early and carefully check:
- Your course eligibility
- Scholarship eligibility
- English-language requirements
- Citizenship requirements
- Application deadlines
- Required supporting documents
- Visa requirements
Deakin recommends that international students apply early because scholarship availability and application timing can vary.
Application Links
Official Deakin University Scholarship Search
Deakin University – Find a Scholarship
Use this official page to search for scholarships based on your nationality, study level and other eligibility criteria.
Deakin International Student Scholarships
Deakin International Student Scholarships
This is the main Deakin page for international scholarship information.
Official Deakin Application Guide
How to Apply to Deakin University
Australia Awards Scholarships
For Australia Awards, applicants should use the official Australian Government Australia Awards information and the application instructions for their country.
Australia Awards – Australian Government
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Deakin University offering fully funded scholarships for international students?
Deakin offers several scholarships for international students, but many are tuition-fee reductions rather than fully funded awards. Eligible students from participating countries can also explore Australia Awards Scholarships, which can provide much more comprehensive financial support.
2. Can international students apply for Deakin scholarships?
Yes. Deakin has several scholarships specifically for international students. Eligibility depends on the particular scholarship, course and applicant’s nationality.
3. Do I need IELTS?
English-language requirements depend on the course and your previous education. Some applicants may be able to meet the English requirement through accepted alternative qualifications or previous study. Always check the requirements for your specific Deakin course.
4. Does Deakin automatically consider students for scholarships?
For many international scholarships, yes. Deakin says eligible students are automatically considered based on their application and academic merit. Some scholarships, however, require a separate application.
5. Can I apply for more than one scholarship?
You can explore multiple scholarship opportunities, but whether scholarships can be combined depends on the individual scholarship rules. Always read the terms and conditions before applying.
6. What level of study is available?
Deakin offers scholarship opportunities across undergraduate, postgraduate coursework and higher-degree research levels. The available opportunities vary by scholarship.
7. Does the scholarship cover living expenses?
Not every Deakin scholarship covers living expenses. Many university scholarships primarily reduce tuition fees. Australia Awards Scholarships can include a contribution toward living expenses and other benefits for eligible recipients.
Final Thoughts
Studying in Australia can be expensive, but scholarships can make the opportunity much more realistic for international students.
Deakin University is worth considering if you are looking for scholarships in Australia for the 2026–2027 period. The university offers several international scholarships, including tuition-fee reductions, while eligible students from participating countries can investigate the Australia Awards program for more comprehensive financial support.
Before applying, always check the official Deakin University and Australian Government websites because scholarship availability, deadlines and eligibility requirements can change.
Good academic results, a carefully prepared application and applying early can make a big difference.
Good luck with your scholarship application and your plans to study in Australia!