University of Melbourne Law Scholarships

Melbourne Scholarships: Human Rights Scholarship

The University of Melbourne is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria founded in 1853. It is the second oldest university in Australia and the oldest in Victoria. It has consistently ranked among the best universities in Australia and the world. The university offers some graduate research scholarship which includes the Human Rights Scholarship, which is also a law scholarship for international students.

The learning experience at the University of Melbourne is characterised by research-led teaching, the deep attainment of disciplinary knowledge at undergraduate, graduate and research higher degree levels, and the breadth of variety offered through our programs. Learning is recognised as a process that occurs through experience, understanding and testing. Students are expected to be active participants in their learning. In addition, the University recognises that teachers are learners too, and that good teaching is infused by a love of learning, and a love of research and scholarship. The University’s commitment to these concepts is outlined in Nine Principles Guiding Teaching and Learning (2MB), the framework for the University’s teaching and learning environment, developed on behalf of the Academic Board. The nine principles are:

• An atmosphere of intellectual excitement
• An intensive research and knowledge transfer culture permeating all teaching and learning activities
• A vibrant and embracing social context
• An international and culturally diverse learning environment
• Explicit concern and support for individual development
• Clear academic expectations and standards
• Learning cycles of experimentation, feedback and assessment
• Premium quality learning spaces, resources and technologies
• An adaptive curriculum

The Human Rights Scholarship is awarded to local or international applicants wishing to undertake graduate research studies at the University in the human rights field and who are able to demonstrate their commitment to the peaceful advancement of respect for human rights.

Each year the University of Melbourne offers 2 HRSs to applicants wishing to undertake a graduate research degree at the University of Melbourne.

Benefits & conditions

Human Rights Scholarship benefits include:

• a living allowance of $28,000 per annum (2012 rate)
• a Relocation Grant of $2,000 awarded to students who are moving from interstate in order to study at the University of Melbourne or $3,000 awarded to those who are moving from overseas
• Thesis Allowance of up to $420 (2011 rate) for masters by research and up to $840 (2011 rate) for PhD and other doctorate by research candidates, and
• Paid sick, maternity and parenting leave.

Fees

Please note that the HRS does not cover international graduate research degree course fees.

Local graduate research degree HRS recipients are not charged course fees as they are allocated a Research Training Scheme (RTS) place. RTS places exempt students from the Higher Education Contribution (HECS) Scheme. Time limits and other conditions apply to RTS places.  For further information please contact the Melbourne School of Graduate Research (PhD, MSc, MPhil, MIS and MOptom students) or your faculty office (all other students).

Conditions

Please click on the following link for further information about scholarship conditions including duration of awards and commencement requirements etc.

Eligibility criteria

1. Applicants for the HRS must be able to demonstrate that their commitment to the peaceful advancement of respect for human rights extends beyond their academic studies (such as voluntary work and/or work experience).

2. A high H2A (ie. 78-79% and above) is the minimum grade average usually required to be competitive for an HRS.

3. Applicants must have applied for, or be currently enrolled in, a graduate research degree in the human rights field at the University of Melbourne.

4. International students must have an unconditional course offer at the University of Melbourne for the course for which they seek the support of a HRS. See below for local and international HRS application procedures.

5. Applicants seeking a HRS to undertake a graduate research degree must normally meet the academic requirements that apply to the Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) or Melbourne Research Scholarship (MRS). Click here for further details about APA/MRS Eligibility.

6. HRSs are not awarded to applicants who:

• cannot provide evidence that their demonstrated commitment to human rights extends beyond their academic studies
• have already completed a course deemed to be at the same, or higher, level for which they are seeking scholarship support
• as a result of previous candidature and/or prior scholarship, have a maximum tenure of less than 12 months
• have previously received an MRS, Fay Marles Scholarship (FMS) or Postgraduate Equity Scholarship (PES), or
• have already been awarded or later receive another equivalent award, scholarship or salary for the studies for which they seek a HRS. An “equivalent” award is regarded as one greater than 75% of the base HRS rate (75% of the base 2011 HRS rate = $19,500).

Applicants who wish to be considered for the University of Melbourne law scholarships for international students may check out this link for more information. This page outlines information about application process and eligibility requirements.