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Australia Applications open Closes 31 January 2027

Adelaide Scholarships International

The Adelaide Scholarships International (ASI) is the University of Adelaide's premier award for international Higher Degree by Research candidates. It covers full tuition fees, a tax-free living stipend (currently AUD 36,500/year) for up to 3.5 years (PhD) or 2 years (Master's by Research), Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), and a thesis allowance. Around 30 awards are made annually across the science, engineering, health, humanities, and professions faculties. Selection is centralised on academic merit.

Open for 2027 entry — main round 1 closes 31 January 2027; main round 2 closes 31 August 2027. Dates follow the same annual pattern — confirm the current round before applying.

University of Adelaide

University-funded

emoji_events Award Overview

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Annual Stipend

AUD 36,500/yr (tax-free)

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Duration

2 yrs (MRes) / 3.5 yrs (PhD)

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Extras

Full Tuition + OSHC + Thesis Allowance

info How this award actually works

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Who awards it

University of Adelaide — not Lanka Scholar. We are not the awarding body and cannot grant, reserve or guarantee this award.

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How you are considered

Through your admission application. Awards like this are usually assessed automatically from the application you already submit — there is typically no separate scholarship form to fill in.

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What it covers

Full Tuition + AUD 36,500 Stipend. This is a reduction in tuition, not a full ride. You still fund the remainder, plus living costs and the balance your visa requires you to show.

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Where we come in

We make the admission application strong enough to be competitive — course choice, documents, references and deadlines. The funder makes the decision.

fact_check Eligibility Criteria

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First-Class Honours or Equivalent

Bachelor's degree with first-class honours, OR a Bachelor's plus a research master's with a strong thesis component. Sri Lankan first-class graduates with a published paper or strong honours thesis are typically competitive.

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Adelaide HDR Application

You must have applied to (or hold an offer for) a full-time HDR programme at Adelaide. Coursework master's programmes are not eligible.

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English Proficiency

IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0 (most disciplines). Higher requirements apply for some clinical and humanities programmes.

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Supervisor Confirmation

You need confirmation of supervisor availability before the scholarship round closes. Contact prospective supervisors at adelaide.edu.au/research 4-6 months ahead.

account_tree Application Process

Identify and contact a supervisor

Find a research supervisor whose work matches your interests. Email with your CV, transcripts, and a 1-2 page research outline. Supervisor support is essential.

Submit the HDR + scholarship application

Apply via the Adelaide online HDR portal. Tick the ASI consideration option — the same application doubles as the scholarship application.

Round assessment

ASI runs in two main rounds — round 1 closes 31 January (results in May), round 2 closes 31 August (results in October). Apply early in the round window for the best chance.

Outcome + acceptance

Successful applicants receive an offer letter detailing tuition coverage, stipend, and start date. You typically have 4 weeks to accept.

Why University of Adelaide?

Adelaide is one of Australia's Group of Eight research-intensive universities. The city itself is among the most affordable major Australian cities, stretching the scholarship significantly further than Sydney or Melbourne would.

#82

QS World Ranking 2026

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Research Group Member

AUD 36.5k

Annual Stipend

Looking for a scholarship because of the cost?

Then start here instead. Scholarships are competitive, usually partial, and decided by someone else — they are the least reliable way to make studying abroad affordable. Your destination and course choice move the number far more, and both are entirely within your control.

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