The University of Sydney, established in 1850, is one of the most prestigious universities located in the heart of Australia’s largest city, Sydney. While the cost of studying and living in Australia can sometimes be high, making it difficult for many students to afford their dream university, there are numerous scholarships offered to ease this burden.
To support deserving students, the University of Sydney provides a wide range of scholarships based on merit, financial need, and specific fields of study. These scholarships help reduce tuition fees, cover living expenses, and make education more accessible.
In this blog, we have compiled a detailed list of the University of Sydney Scholarships, including their eligibility criteria and application process, to guide you in achieving your academic goals.
| Institution Name | The University of Sydney |
| Established on | 1850 |
| Affiliations | APRU, ASAIHL, SCU, CEMS |
| Location | Sydney |
| Website | https://www.sydney.edu.au/ |
This Blog Includes:
List of University of Sydney Scholarships for Indian Students
The following is the list of scholarships provided by the University of Sydney for Indian students.
| Scholarship Name | Key Details |
| Sydney Scholars India Equity Scholarship | For Indian students from low socio-economic backgrounds provides tuition fee support and living cost assistance. |
| Sydney International Student Award (India) | For Indian students from low socio-economic backgrounds provides tuition fee support and living cost assistance. |
| Vice Chancellor’s International Scholarships Scheme | For Indian PhD/research students, covers tuition fees and provides a living stipend. |
| Sydney Scholars Awards (International) | Competitive awards for academically strong international students entering undergraduate programs. |
| Postgraduate Research Scholarships (various faculties) | For Indian PhD/research students, it covers tuition fees and provides a living stipend. |
| Faculty/School-specific Scholarships | Several faculties (Engineering, Business, Law, Medicine, etc.) offer targeted scholarships that Indian students can apply for based on merit or research area. |
Also Read: Famous 5 Scholarships for Graduation in India
Sydney Scholars India Equity Scholarship
This is a postgraduate-coursework scholarship for Indian students from very low socio-economic backgrounds (specifically residents of certain slum communities in Delhi, India, where the ASHA Society works). The aim is to support an exceptional student with full financial aid (tuition + living + health + travel) to begin a master’s programme. Only one scholarship is awarded annually. Nomination is through the ASHA Society; there is no separate scholarship application by candidates.
| Category | Details (2025-26) |
| Benefits | Up to AUD 100,000 total; covers full tuition fees, annual living allowance (~ AUD 12,000/year), textbooks & one return flight to India (up to ~ AUD 4,000 total/year), overseas health cover. |
| Eligibility | No separate application. Candidates are nominated by the ASHA Society. Must meet ASHA’s internal requirements and then be recommended. Proof of residency etc required. |
| Application Process | No separate application. Candidates are nominated by the ASHA Society. Must meet ASHA’s internal requirements and then be recommended. Proof of residency, etc, required. |
| Deadline | No separate application. Candidates are nominated by the ASHA Society. Must meet ASHA’s internal requirements and then be recommended. Proof of residency, etc, required. |
Sydney International Student Award
This is an award that gives a 20% reduction in tuition fees for international students from selected countries (including India) for full-time undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degrees at the University of Sydney. It helps reduce the cost burden and rewards academic merit.
| Category | Details (2025-26) |
| Benefits | 20% tuition fee contribution (i.e. tuition waiver of 20% for the duration of the course) |
| Eligibility | Apply for the chosen degree first. During the admission application, if you meet the eligibility criteria, prompted to submit a personal statement (three sections, each ~200 words: about yourself; what inspired you to apply, what you want to achieve). If successful, the 20% reduction is shown in your offer. |
| Application Process | • Must be an international student from one of the eligible countries (India is eligible).• Must hold citizenship of an eligible country and not be an Australian/New Zealand citizen or permanent resident.• Must receive admission into a full-time undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degree, commencing in 2026.• Certain programs excluded: MBA, Executive MBA, distance education, study abroad, executive education, and some dual-degree law pathway programs. |
| Deadline | Apply for the chosen degree first. During the admission application, if you meet the eligibility criteria, prompted to submit a personal statement (three sections, each ~200 words: about yourself; what inspired you to apply, what you want to achieve). If successful, the 20% reduction is shown in your offer. |
Sydney Scholars India Scholarship Program
This is a merit-based scholarship program for both undergraduate and postgraduate coursework students from India. The University has allocated a total fund of AUD 500,000 for these scholarships. The aim is to support high-achieving Indian students and strengthen education ties with India. There are several awards of varying sizes (full tuition and partial scholarship) under this program.
| Category | Details (2025-26) |
| Benefits | Apply through the University of Sydney scholarship page during the application window (for 2025, it opened 1 April 2025 and closed 25 May 2025). Submit the admission application + scholarship application form as required. Ensure you have the unconditional offer. |
| Eligibility | • Some scholarships offer 100% tuition fees for up to four years of full-time undergraduate study.• Others offer AUD 20,000 for one year (UG/PG), and smaller ones (AUD 10,000) as well, for one year. |
| Application Process | Apply through the University of Sydney scholarship page during the application window (for 2025 it opened 1 April 2025 and closed 25 May 2025). Submit the admission application + scholarship application form as required. Ensure you have the unconditional offer. |
| Deadline | 25 May 2025 was the deadline for the 2025 round. The open date was 1 April 2025. |
Vice Chancellor’s International Scholarships Scheme (VCIS) — University of Sydney
The VCIS is a merit-based scholarship scheme aimed at supporting high-achieving international students (from outside Australia & New Zealand) who are commencing a coursework degree (undergraduate or master’s by coursework) at the University of Sydney. The goal is to help outstanding applicants with financial support based on their academic performance when they enroll in their first year. Students do not need to apply separately for VCIS; eligible applicants are considered automatically, provided they meet certain criteria (notably an unconditional offer by specific deadlines).
| Category | – |
|---|---|
| Benefits / Award Amounts | There are four scholarship amounts available: • AUD 40,000 (for one year, split into two instalments per semester) • AUD 20,000 for one semester • AUD 10,000 for one semester • AUD 5,000 for one semester These amounts depend on academic merit and ranking among applicants. |
| Eligible Courses | Full-time undergraduate coursework degrees or master’s by coursework. Must be CRICOS-registered programs, delivered on-shore at the University of Sydney. |
| Eligibility Criteria | Full-time undergraduate coursework degrees or master’s by coursework. Must be CRICOS-registered programs, delivered on-shore at the University of Sydney. |
| Application Process | – No separate scholarship application needed. – Applicants with an unconditional offer by the cut-off dates are automatically considered. – After being awarded, recipients may need to do things like accept their offer by a deadline and maintain certain academic performance to keep the scholarship. |
| Deadlines | Recent “round” deadlines (for VCIS) include: • Round 1: 17 February 2025 • Round 2: 31 March 2025 • Round 3: 16 May 2025 These were for Semester 2, 2025 entry. Applicants need to check what the round dates are for the session they intend to join. |
Also Read: TATA Scholarships Programme for 2025-26
FAQs
Yes, the University of Sydney provides scholarships that are fully funded and are provided based on a candidate’s performance.
One of the top universities in Australia that provides 100% scholarships is the University of Sydney.
Yes, the University of Sydney is considered a bit expensive compared to other universities in Australia.
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