Top 7 Sydney Scholarships for International Students in 2026
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Sydney is known to be one of the most popular study destinations in Australia. But it is also expensive. Things like tuition fees, rent, & daily costs can add up fast. That is why having Sydney scholarships for international students is so important in 2026. Every year, thousands of students secure either partial or fully funded scholarships through universities like the University of Sydney, UNSW, UTS, & Macquarie.
This is also one of the reasons why students want to study in Sydney. These scholarships not only help you with tuition cost reduction, but they also make managing student accommodation in Sydney & everyday living far more realistic. In this guide, we will get into the top 7 Sydney scholarships for international students in 2026. Let’s get started!
What are the Top Scholarships in Sydney for International Students?
The top scholarships in Sydney for international students include:
- The University of Sydney’s Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship
- Sydney International Student Award (SISA)
- Australia Awards Scholarships,
- Research Training Program (RTP)
- UTS Academic Merit Scholarships
- Macquarie University Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarships
- UNSW’s Future of Change Scholarship
These scholarships cover tuition fees & in some cases, also include living expenses. Let’s get to know them in detail!
Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarships Scheme (University of Sydney)
This scholarship is for students who are at the top academically. The University of Sydney receives thousands of international applications every year for this.
- But only a small percentage qualify for this award.
- For many people, this has become the deciding factor when managing high fees alongside student accommodation in Australia, food, & transport costs.
Below are the details of the Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarships Scheme:
| Category | Information |
| Eligible Study Level | Undergraduate & Postgraduate |
| Academic Requirement | Typically, 85–95%+ in previous qualification (or equivalent GPA in top 5–10% of applicant pool) |
| Scholarship Value | AUD 10,000 / AUD 20,000 / AUD 40,000 (one-time grant, tier-based) |
| Approx. Tuition Coverage | Covers 25–60% of first-year tuition fees (depending on course fee level) |
| Duration | One-time award applied to first year only |
| Covers | Tuition fees only |
| Estimated Number of Awards | Around 150–250 international students per year (across all intakes) |
| Selection Basis | Merit-based, automatic consideration with course application |
Sydney International Student Award (SISA)
SISA is one of the friendliest scholarships for international students. This is especially true for Indian applicants. Unlike one-time grants, this award reduces the tuition fees for your course every year.
- This can add up to big savings over time. It is awarded to only those students who meet the entry requirements academically.
- There are many students who rely on SISA to redirect savings toward rent, daily expenses, & student accommodation rather than tuition alone.
The following are the key details of the Sydney International Student Award (SISA):
| Category | Information |
| Eligible Study Level | Undergraduate & Postgraduate |
| Country Eligibility | Selected countries including India |
| Approx. Monetary Value | AUD 6,000–10,000 per year (based on average tuition of AUD 30,000–50,000/year) |
| Duration | Full course duration (2–4 years depending on program) |
| Application Type | Automatic consideration with course application |
Australia Awards Scholarships (AAS)
Australia Awards Scholarship is designed for students who have shown long-term leadership potential & strong academic or professional background.
- These scholarships are funded by the Australian Government & are focused on the development impact rather than grades. This Sydney scholarship for international students removes all of the financial stress.
- It supports tuition, living allowance, flight insurance, & even initial settlement costs. This makes it one of the most complete funding options available for studying in Sydney.
The following are the key details of the Australia Awards Scholarship:
| Category | Information |
| Eligible Study Level | Undergraduate & Postgraduate (selected courses only) |
| Funding Type | Fully funded scholarship |
| Tuition Coverage | 100% tuition fees for the entire course |
| Living Allowance | Approx. AUD 1,600–1,800 per month ( AUD 19,000–21,000 per year) |
| Airfare | Return economy-class airfare (home country to Australia) |
| Health Cover | Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for full duration |
| Other Benefits | Establishment allowance of approx. AUD 5,000 (one-time) |
| Selection Criteria | Academic merit + leadership potential + relevant work experience |
| Country Limits | Fixed country-wise quotas (India receives a limited share) |
| Estimated Number of Awards | Around 1,000–1,200 globally per year, with very limited seats per country |
Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarships
RTP scholarships are strictly made for students who are pursuing research-based degrees. These are from the Australian Government but are managed by individual universities like the University of Sydney & UNSW.
- Students are selected based on strong academic research backgrounds, publications, or prior research experience.
- Plus, the stipend you will get here will cover your basic cost of living, including things like rent of shared student accommodation in Sydney.
The following are the key details of RTP scholarships:
| Category | Information |
| Eligible Study Level | Master’s by Research / PhD |
| Tuition Coverage | 100% tuition fee waiver for entire research duration |
| Annual Living Stipend | AUD 32,192 – AUD 37,207/- year (tax-free, varies by university & year) |
| Monthly Stipend (Approx.) | AUD 2,650 – AUD 3,100/- month |
| Duration | Up to 2 years (Master’s by Research) / Up to 3–4 years (PhD) |
| Covers | Tuition fees + living stipend (does not include family support costs) |
| Selection Basis | Research merit, academic record, publications, supervisor endorsement |
| Estimated Number of Awards | 30–100 RTP slots per university/- year (Sydney universities fall on the lower end due to competition) |
| Competition Level | Very high (acceptance rate often below 10–15%) |
Macquarie University Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarships
Macquarie’s Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarships are targeted for students who have strong but realistic academic profiles. These are often used to ease the first year’s financial load.
- It is especially true for international students who are settling into Sydney for the first time.
- Because Macquarie is located in North Ryde, students often combine this with affordable student accommodation in Sydney compared to the central CBD areas.
The following are the details of Macquarie’s Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarships:
| Category | Information |
| Eligible Study Level | Undergraduate & Postgraduate |
| Academic Requirement | Typically, 75–85%+ in previous qualification (or equivalent GPA) |
| Scholarship Value | AUD 10,000 / AUD 15,000 / AUD 20,000 (tier-based) |
| Approx. Tuition Coverage | Covers 20–40% of first-year tuition fees (depending on course cost) |
| Payment Type | One-time tuition credit applied in first year |
| Covers | Tuition fees only (not living or accommodation costs) |
| Estimated Number of Awards | Approx. 100–250 international students per year |
| Selection Basis | Merit-based, assessed with course application |
| Renewal | Not renewable (first-year award only) |
UTS Academic Merit International Scholarship
UTS majorly focuses on employability. This scholarship rewards students who show academic strength with practical learning.
- It is especially common amongst students who are enrolling in tech, business, engineering, & design courses.
- Given UTS’s CBD location, many students use this tuition reduction to reduce higher rent costs for nearby student accommodation in Australia. This makes city-center living more manageable.
Following are the key details of UTS Academic Merit International Scholarship:
| Category | Information |
| Eligible Study Level | Undergraduate & Postgraduate (Coursework) |
| Academic Requirement | Typically 75–85%+ in previous qualification (or equivalent GPA) |
| Scholarship Value | 15% or 20% tuition fee reduction |
| Approx. Monetary Value | AUD 6,000–12,000 per year (based on avg tuition of AUD 35,000–55,000/year) |
| Duration | Entire course duration (usually 2–3 years) |
| Covers | Tuition fees only (does not cover living or accommodation costs) |
| Estimated Number of Awards | 200–400 students per intake across faculties |
| Selection Basis | Merit-based, automatic assessment with course application |
| Renewal Condition | Maintain satisfactory academic progress each year |
UNSW Future of Change Scholarship
UNSW’s Future of Change Scholarship is designed to support international students who want to enter high-demand courses. The scholarship value varies by course. But it significantly lowers tuition costs for selected students.
- UNSW attracts one of the largest international student populations in Australia. And the scholarship helps you maintain accessibility while ensuring academic quality.
- Many recipients combine this award with shared housing to better manage their living expenses in Sydney.
Below are the UNSW’s Future of Change Scholarship:
| Category | Information |
| Eligible Study Level | Undergraduate & Postgraduate (Coursework) |
| Academic Requirement | Typically 80–90%+ in previous qualification (or equivalent GPA) |
| Scholarship Value | AUD 5,000 – AUD 15,000 per year (varies by program) |
| Approx. Tuition Coverage | Covers 15–35% of annual tuition fees |
| Duration | 1 year, with some programs allowing renewal based on performance |
| Covers | Tuition fees only (does not cover living or accommodation costs) |
| University Focus | High-demand courses (Engineering, Business, IT, Science) |
| Estimated Number of Awards | Around 100–300 students per year across faculties |
| Selection Basis | Merit-based, competitive assessment |
| Renewal Condition | Maintain satisfactory academic progress |
Conclusion
If you are someone who is serious about Sydney scholarships for international students, then start finding one as early as possible. Scholarship deadlines often align with course applications. And late submissions rarely get considered. So, always check official university websites & government portals for the most accurate 2026 updates.
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