PhDFully Funded

University of Sydney Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship

Last verified 20 May 2026 by the Scholarships for Africans editorial team

Australian Government-funded RTP awards administered by the University of Sydney covering full tuition + living stipend for international PhD candidates.

Provider: University of Sydney
Host country: Australia
Deadline: Annual round — applications close 15 September for the following year's intake.
Region: Oceania

Official source Track this application

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Eligibility & requirements at a glance

Review the recorded eligibility, funding and deadline information below. Confirm the current award conditions on the provider's official source.

Who can apply: International candidates (including African applicants) admitted to a University of Sydney PhD or Master's by Research program. Must demonstrate research excellence — typically First Class Honours or strong research Master's with publications.
Funding: Fully Funded
Study level: PhD
Deadline: Annual round — applications close 15 September for the following year's intake.

Key eligibility criteria

International candidates (including African applicants) admitted to a University of Sydney PhD or Master's by Research program. Must demonstrate research excellence — typically First Class Honours or strong research Master's with publications.

Recorded funding information

Fully Funded

About the University of Sydney Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship (2026)

## About the RTP The Research Training Program is the Australian Government's primary PhD funding scheme. The University of Sydney is allocated a fixed number of RTP places each year, including a **competitive international stream** open to African applicants. ## What's covered - Full tuition fees for up to 3.5 years (PhD) - Living stipend ~AUD $37,000/year (tax-free, indexed) - OSHC and relocation allowance - Thesis allowance ## Recruiter tips for African applicants - Sydney is **Group of Eight** — research output and supervisor support letters carry huge weight. - The international RTP round closes **September 15**; aim to have your supervisor confirmed by **June** at the latest. - Strongest entry points for African students: Charles Perkins Centre (health), Sydney Environment Institute, School of Public Health. - Master's by Coursework alone is rarely enough — you need a **research thesis component** (Master's by Research or Honours). ## Eligibility snapshot International candidates (including African applicants) admitted to a University of Sydney PhD or Master's by Research program. Must demonstrate research excellence — typically First Class Honours or strong research Master's with publications. ## Required documents - Certified academic transcripts (WAEC / KCSE / NSC + degree certificates where applicable) - Passport bio-data page (valid 6+ months beyond intended visa start) - English proficiency proof (IELTS 6.0–7.0 overall, or TOEFL iBT / PTE Academic / Duolingo where the provider accepts it) - CV/résumé with full education and work history - Personal statement or motivation letter (typically 500–1000 words) - Two academic or professional references on letterhead - Conditional or full Letter of Offer from the host university (where the scholarship is post-offer) - Financial declaration showing ability to cover any costs not funded by the scholarship ## Application steps 1. **Confirm fit** — re-read the official eligibility criteria on the provider's site and check the current intake window. 2. **Apply for admission** — most Australian scholarships require a conditional or full Letter of Offer before scholarship assessment. 3. **Prepare evidence** — gather certified transcripts, English test scores, references, and identity documents as PDFs. 4. **Submit the scholarship application** — through the university's scholarship portal or the dedicated provider link, before the published deadline. 5. **Track outcomes** — most awards are announced 4–10 weeks after the deadline. If awarded, accept formally and request your CoE. 6. **Apply for the Subclass 500 student visa** — book biometrics, complete the medical exam, and lodge the visa with your CoE, OSHC, and proof of funds.

Funding information

The funding information below is recorded in this listing; it does not establish additional covered components. Check amounts, caps, exclusions and conditions on the official source.

Fully Funded

University of Sydney Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship eligibility

Always cross-check eligibility against the sponsor's official site before applying — sponsor rules can change between intakes.

International candidates (including African applicants) admitted to a University of Sydney PhD or Master's by Research program. Must demonstrate research excellence — typically First Class Honours or strong research Master's with publications.

University of Sydney Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship document information

No explicit document checklist is recorded here. If an application is required, prepare only the materials the provider requests.

How to apply for the University of Sydney Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship 2026

Follow the provider's stated process. The checks below are guidance, not additional application requirements. Any original editorial instructions remain in the description above.

1
Check the provider's process
Consult https://www.sydney.edu.au/scholarships/ to confirm whether consideration is automatic or requires an application, and follow only the process stated there.
2
Check eligibility and any requested materials
Listed eligibility: International candidates (including African applicants) admitted to a University of Sydney PhD or Master's by Research program. Must demonstrate research excellence — typically First Class Honours or strong research Master's with publications.. Confirm the current criteria and, if submission is required, use the provider's own checklist.
3
Check dates and next steps
Listed deadline information: Annual round — applications close 15 September for the following year's intake.. Confirm any cutoff, time zone and follow-up process with the provider.

University of Sydney Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship deadline & application timeline

Provider deadline information: Annual round — applications close 15 September for the following year's intake.. This text cannot be safely converted to a countdown; check the official source for its meaning. The earlier milestones are optional planning suggestions only.

Planning suggestion: 12 months out
Check the current call and decide whether this opportunity fits your plans.
Planning suggestion: 6 months out
If the provider requires tests or documents that take time, plan for them using its published instructions.
Planning suggestion: 3 months out
If an application is required, review the provider's process and prepare only the materials it requests.
Planning suggestion: 1 month out
If submission is required, allow time to check your materials and any stated cutoff.
Provider deadline
Annual round — applications close 15 September for the following year's intake.
Provider deadline information: Annual round — applications close 15 September for the following year's intake.. Confirm the current instructions and any cutoff or time zone on the official source; no additional time is assumed here.

Ready to apply?

Cross-check the latest eligibility rules and deadline on the sponsor's official portal before you start your application.

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Editorial verification note

Editorially reviewed on May 2026. Tuition amount, eligibility, and deadline confirmed against the official provider URL. Re-check the official page before applying — exact closing dates and award amounts can change between cycles.

Last checked 5/20/2026

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for the University of Sydney Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship?+

International candidates (including African applicants) admitted to a University of Sydney PhD or Master's by Research program. Must demonstrate research excellence — typically First Class Honours or strong research Master's with publications.

What funding does the University of Sydney Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship offer?+

Listed funding: Fully Funded. Confirm amounts, exclusions and conditions on the official source. This label does not establish any additional benefit components.

When is the application deadline?+

Provider deadline information: Annual round — applications close 15 September for the following year's intake.. Confirm the current cutoff and any time zone on the official source; no additional cutoff or late-submission policy is assumed here.

What documents do I need to apply?+

No explicit document checklist is recorded here. If an application is required, prepare only the documents requested by the provider; requirements may differ from admission requirements.

How do I check the application process?+

Consult https://www.sydney.edu.au/scholarships/ to confirm whether consideration is automatic or requires an application, and follow only the process stated there. Listed eligibility: International candidates (including African applicants) admitted to a University of Sydney PhD or Master's by Research program. Must demonstrate research excellence — typically First Class Honours or strong research Master's with publications.. Confirm the current criteria and, if submission is required, use the provider's own checklist. Listed deadline information: Annual round — applications close 15 September for the following year's intake.. Confirm any cutoff, time zone and follow-up process with the provider.

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