Key scholarship details
Application status
Not open yet
Applications open
12 Jan 2026
Applications close
8 Mar 2026
Benefit amount
$1,000 - $10,000
Eligible study level
Graduate coursework, Graduate research
Eligible student type
Domestic and international students
Eligible study stage
Future study, Current study
Benefit duration
One-off
Summary
The Alma Hansen Scholarship is offered to graduate students in the Faculty of Arts who are experiencing financial hardship to pursue study and research overseas.
About the donor
Alma Philippina Hansen, also known as Alma Hands, undertook a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Melbourne in the early 1910s where she received a number of scholarships and prizes including the Shakespeare Scholarship. In 1914, Mrs Hands received a government research scholarship in literature and an Orient Steamship Company Scholarship. Deeply interested in Shakespeare, sources he used to create his plays and the life and times of Shakespeare’s London, Mrs Hands utilized her awards to travel to England. Living at Somerville College, Oxford, she gained her Master of Arts in 1917. Still in the UK at the time of her death, Mrs Hands left a gift in her will to the University to support a travelling scholarship for graduate students of the Faculty of Arts.
Benefits
The scholarship provides a one-off payment of between $1,000 to $10,000 depending on the applicant pool.
Amount:
$1,000 - $10,000
Duration:
One-off
Quantity:
At least 1
Eligibility and selection criteria
Eligibility
To be considered for this scholarship, you must:
- Be currently enrolled in a graduate program in the Faculty of Arts
- Submitted University of Melbourne Student Financial Assessment form
- Intend to pursue relevant study and research overseas.
Selection criteria
The scholarship is offered to student(s) ranked highest by the selections panel based on their overall application.
Preference is given to graduate students in the Faculty of Arts, University of Melbourne, and due consideration is given to financial need.
In the interest of equitable distribution of scholarship, other scholarships or prizes received by students are considered.
Conditions
Recipients are required to:
- Accept the award online within 21 days
- Submit the relevant travel documents
- Submit a report within two months of returning from travel.
Study level:
Graduate coursework, Graduate research
Student type:
Domestic and international students
Study stage type:
Future study, Current study
Study area:
Arts, humanities and social sciences
Need help understanding the process?
Visit our scholarship guideApplication
How to apply
You must submit an online application including:
- Details of your proposed program of study overseas
- A 300-500 word statement outlining how the scholarship would positively impact your life and assist with your studies, and how pursuing study and research overseas is important to your academic work
- An indicative budget
- Evidence of a complete and submitted University of Melbourne Student Financial Assessment form
- At least one academic reference
- A current academic statement of results
- Any other information to support the application that may assist the committee in making its decision.
For further queries contact: Faculty of Arts - Scholarships and Prizes
When will I know the outcome?
Applicants are advised of the outcome via email within 8-10 weeks.
Please note, for University of Melbourne Student Financial Assessment awards, delays are common due to the timing of data processing.
Status:
Not open yet
Recipient feedback
The opportunity to study in North America, aided by The Alma Hansen Scholarship, has widened my professional network, and consequently may enhance the chances of receiving a job or postdoctoral fellowship outside of Australia.
Caroline Chong
The information listed here is subject to change without notice. Where we have listed information about jointly run scholarships programs, please also see our partners' websites. Information describing the number and value of scholarships awarded is indicative.
Looking for more study options?
Courses and career pathways
Browse all undergraduate and graduate courses, study areas and career pathways on the Study website. Explore courses
Graduate research
Whatever your passion, you'll discover stimulating research opportunities at Australia's #1 ranked university. Research at Melbourne
International students
Find support, advice and what to expect living and studying as an international student at the University of Melbourne. Learn more