Information on finding, applying and receiving a scholarship or award through the Faculty of Fine Arts and Music at the University of Melbourne
There are a range of scholarships, fee remissions, prizes, bursaries and awards available to undergraduate students, graduate students and alumni of the Faculty. Some are specific to an artistic discipline or area of study, while others are available Faculty-wide. Scholarships may be awarded on the basis of merit, financial need, results or through a competitive application process.
Visit our Scholarships web page to find out more about scholarships
Once you are accepted into your course and have enrolled in a program, there are a variety of scholarships and awards you are eligible to apply for. These include merit and equity scholarships at undergraduate and graduate level.
Scholarships are advertised in a variety of ways:
- Available scholarships information will be sent to you at your Unimelb email address
- Staff members in your discipline will be advised of scholarships for which you are eligible, and will encourage you to apply
- You will be sent a message through the Student Portal.
The scholarships we offer are funded either by annual donation or by the interest received annually. Due to the fluctuating nature of interest rates, we can only confirm the exact amount once the annual financial report is delivered in early February.
Applicant eligibility will be outlined in the Criteria and Eligibility section for each scholarship. Eligibility may include year level, course of study, gender, citizenship, qualification or financial need.
The Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) offers several scholarship opportunities through the VTAC application process including the SEAS Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS) program. Read all the information on the VTAC website thoroughly to make sure you apply for any scholarships you are eligible for.
Access Melbourne is the University of Melbourne's combined SEAS scholarships scheme for students from educationally, financially or socially disadvantaged backgrounds. It provides applicants with the opportunity to explain the ongoing circumstances that have affected their chance of gaining a place at the University of Melbourne and allow them to be considered for a place even if they have not achieved the Guaranteed Entry standard.
Learn more about Access Melbourne scholarship opportunities.
Applications for scholarships that have a financial need component have two steps. To be considered both steps must be completed by the application closing date. Make sure allow enough time to complete both by the application closing date.
Step 1: Scholarship Application
Refer to the Open and Closing Dates section on the individual scholarship page for the application link. The link will only be visible during the application period. The application will require personal information, including course and year level, and some questions addressing the selection criteria. You will be required to attach some documents, such as your CV and academic transcript.
Step 2: Student Financial Assistance Application
To assist with the assessment of your application you are required to submit an online Student Financial Assistance Application by the application closing date. If you already have submitted a Student Financial Assistance Application in the last six months you do not need to apply again but you can update and re-submit your details before the closing date.
Research students should visit the Faculty of Fine Arts and Music Research Office and Melbourne Scholarships for information regarding research student scholarships.
Most of the scholarships offered by the Faculty are for both international and domestic students unless otherwise specified. Check the eligibility information for the scholarship you’re interested in, as it will specify if it’s for domestic students only.
Yes, however if you are studying part time and receive a lump sum scholarship, you may need to declare the payment amount as assessable income in your tax return. Please see the ATO website or seek independent tax advice for further information.
If you receive a stipend scholarship, you will be asked to provide your tax file number and your payments will be taxed.
The adjudicators are looking for applicants who meet all the eligibility and criteria requirements. Applications should be well-written and considered. Applications that are succinct and to the point are preferred. Consider addressing:
- your current position, whether academically, artistically or financially
- how you envisage the scholarship will help you in these areas, should you be chosen. It may, for example:
- help with your living costs
- plans to further your studies
- access to course materials, software, equipment or instruments
- fund a specific project you have in mind
In general, consistently performing students with above-average grades are the preferred candidates for any VCA or Conservatorium scholarship but this will depend on the eligibility and criteria requirements.