University of Southern Queensland PhD Scholarship 2027

The University of Southern Queensland International Stipend and Fee Research Scholarship (DPHD) supports international students undertaking a Doctor of Philosophy at UniSQ in 2027.

Successful applicants receive a living stipend of AUD $39,000 per year, together with a scholarship covering tuition fees for up to three years of full-time-equivalent doctoral study.

The scholarship is designed for strong research candidates. UniSQ considers academic achievement, research ability, the quality and relevance of the proposed research project, and the strength of the proposed supervisory environment.

Applicants are expected to align their research with one of UniSQ's flagship research areas and should discuss their proposed project with a potential supervisor before applying.

International students who meet UniSQ's PhD admission requirements and the scholarship's academic requirements can apply. Applicants may be commencing a PhD in 2027 or, where permitted, continuing their PhD studies into 2027.

• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD/DPHD)
• Applicants should normally have completed a Bachelor's degree with First Class Honours or an equivalent qualification.
• A relevant research-based postgraduate qualification may also support PhD admission, subject to UniSQ's assessment.

The scholarship is for international students. It is not restricted to a short list of countries. Applicants must not be Australian or New Zealand citizens and must not be Australian permanent residents.

Applications are welcome across research areas that align with UniSQ's flagship research areas. Applicants are encouraged to discuss their proposed research with a potential supervisor before applying.

Possible research areas depend on available supervisors and UniSQ's research priorities. Applicants can also explore UniSQ's available research thesis topics and researchers when developing their proposal.

Yes  Nigerian applicants are eligible to apply, provided they meet the international-student, academic, English-language, PhD admission and scholarship requirements.

Nigeria is not excluded by the scholarship's stated nationality conditions. The key requirement is that the applicant qualifies as an international student and can be admitted to the full-time, on-campus PhD program.

Successful scholars receive:

• AUD $39,000 per year stipend
• Tuition fees covered for up to three years of full-time-equivalent PhD study
• Access to a doctoral research environment at UniSQ
• Potential opportunity to apply through an Industry Stream, where available
• Additional dedicated scholarship opportunities exist for women in STEMM and students with disabilities.

The university notes that its research scholarship arrangements can also include other forms of support in applicable RTP contexts, such as assistance with certain ancillary research costs, but applicants should not assume these additional benefits are automatically included in this particular scholarship.

• Scholarship closing date: 27 September 2026
• Study year: 2027
• Applicants should begin the separate PhD admission process early because admission into the PhD is required before they can be considered for the scholarship.

Applicants should prepare digital copies of:

• Statement of Claim completed by the student and supervisor
• Curriculum Vitae (CV), including research publications and/or presentations
• Preliminary Research Thesis Topic Proposal
• Proof of citizenship
• Academic qualifications, including testamurs and academic transcripts for undergraduate and postgraduate studies
• Any additional documents required for PhD admission
• English-language evidence where required by UniSQ

For applicants pursuing the optional Industry Stream, an industry partner must also provide the required Letter of Support.

Applicants must:

• Be an international student
• Not be an Australian or New Zealand citizen
• Not be an Australian permanent resident
• Have completed a Bachelor's degree with First Class Honours or equivalent
• Be eligible for full-time, on-campus PhD enrolment at UniSQ
• Commence or continue PhD study in 2027
• Meet UniSQ's PhD admission and English-language requirements
• Submit a research proposal aligned with an appropriate UniSQ flagship research area
• Demonstrate sufficient research capability and academic preparation to be competitive.

This is a competitive scholarship rather than an automatic tuition discount.

UniSQ says applicants are assessed on four main areas:

1. Academic achievement — including honours results, postgraduate performance, prizes and awards.
2. Research capability — including publications, conference presentations, research experience and relevant creative work.
3. Research project and environment — including alignment with UniSQ priorities, research impact, Australian research relevance and available resources.
4. Supervisory team — including supervisor expertise, publication record, capacity and research support.

Step 1 — Identify your research area.
Choose a research topic that fits UniSQ's research strengths or flagship areas.

Step 2 — Find a potential supervisor.
Search UniSQ's researcher directory and contact a suitable academic. UniSQ recommends sending the potential supervisor a brief introduction and an outline of your proposed project.

Step 3 — Start the PhD admission application.
The PhD admission process is separate from the scholarship application and must be started to establish eligibility for the scholarship.

Step 4 — Prepare your scholarship documents.
Prepare your Statement of Claim, CV, research proposal, citizenship evidence and academic documents.

Step 5 — Submit the scholarship application.
Apply through the UniSQ Scholarship Application Management System before the 27 September 2026 deadline.

Step 6 — Wait for assessment.
Applications are assessed competitively using academic achievement, research capability, research project/environment, and supervisory team criteria.

• The scholarship application does not replace the PhD admission application. The admission process must be started separately.
• The scholarship requires the applicant to be eligible for full-time, on-campus PhD enrolment.
• Having a strong academic record does not guarantee an award because selection is competitive.
• Applicants should identify a suitable research area and potential supervisor before preparing their application.
• The advertised scholarship stipend is AUD $39,000 per year.
• The tuition-fee component covers a maximum of three years of full-time-equivalent study; previous study toward the PhD can reduce the remaining scholarship period.
• Do not confuse this scholarship with UniSQ's general 2027 International Student Support Scholarship, which provides a 10% tuition reduction and is not the fully funded PhD scholarship.

For an international student looking for a PhD opportunity in Australia, this scholarship is particularly attractive because it tackles two of the biggest costs of doctoral study: tuition fees and living expenses.

The AUD $39,000 annual stipend can help with day-to-day living costs, while UniSQ covers the applicable tuition fees for the scholarship period. The university also allows applicants to pursue research across its flagship areas rather than restricting the opportunity to one narrowly defined discipline.

1. Is the UniSQ PhD scholarship fully funded?
It is substantially funded: the scholarship provides an AUD $39,000 annual stipend and covers tuition fees for up to three years of full-time-equivalent PhD study.

2. Can Nigerians apply?
Yes. Nigerian applicants can apply as international students if they satisfy the stated requirements.

3. Do I need a First Class degree?
For the scholarship itself, UniSQ states that applicants must have completed a Bachelor's degree with First Class Honours or equivalent. PhD admission can have broader qualification pathways, but scholarship eligibility is more specific.

4. Do I need a supervisor before applying?
You should identify and communicate with a potential supervisor. UniSQ says you can apply without listing a supervisor, but doing so may delay admission.

5. Is the PhD admission application separate from the scholarship application?
Yes. UniSQ explicitly states that the PhD entry application is a separate process and must be started to be eligible for the scholarship.

6. How much is the stipend?
The advertised stipend is AUD $39,000 per annum.

7. How long does the scholarship cover tuition?
Tuition fees are covered for a maximum of three years full-time equivalent. Previous periods of study toward the PhD are deducted from the scholarship period.

8. Can I study online and receive this scholarship?
No. The scholarship requires eligibility for full-time, on-campus PhD enrolment.

9. Is there an industry option?
Yes. An optional Industry Stream is available for some flagship scholarships and involves a mandatory 60-day industry internship.