Key scholarship details
Application status
Not open yet
Applications open
12 Jan 2026
Applications close
23 Mar 2026
Benefit amount
Up to $8,000
Eligible study level
Undergraduate, Graduate coursework, Graduate research
Eligible student type
Domestic and international students
Eligible study stage
Current study
Benefit duration
One-off
Summary
The Gwenda Ford English Literature Scholarship is offered to third year undergraduate students majoring in English Literature, or graduate students undertaking a research project in English Literature who are experiencing disadvantaged circumstances.
About the donor
Professor Emeritus Harold Ford was one of Australia’s pre-eminent corporation lawyers. Ford studied law at the University of Melbourne as an articled clerk. After completing the Bachelor of Laws Course, he became a senior lecturer at the Law School in 1949. In 1960 he was appointed Robert Garran Professor of Law at the Australian National University and was Foundation Dean of the Faculty of Law. Ford returned to the University of Melbourne in 1962 as Professor of Commercial Law. He was Dean of the Faculty of Law in 1964, and again from 1967 to 1973. He retired in 1984. In 2011, Professor Emeritus Harold Ford made a donation to the University of Melbourne to establish a scholarship to memorialise his wife, Gwenda Ford.
Benefits
This scholarship provides a one-off payment. The value of the scholarship will be determined by the selection committee based on the applicant pool and available funding.
Amount:
Up to $8,000
Duration:
One-off
Quantity:
At least 1
Eligibility and selection criteria
Eligibility
To be considered for this scholarship, you must:
- Be a third year undergraduate student completing a major in English Literature in the Faculty of Arts
- Be a graduate coursework or research student undertaking a research project in English Literature in the Faculty of Arts
- Demonstrate financial disadvantage
Selection criteria
Eligible students are selected on the basis of financial need.
Preference is given to English literature students in the Faculty of Arts.
In the interest of equitable distribution of scholarship, other scholarships or prizes received by students are considered.
Conditions
You must:
- Accept the award online within 21 days
- Submit a final report
Study level:
Undergraduate, Graduate coursework, Graduate research
Student type:
Domestic and international students
Study stage type:
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 and include:
- A 300-500 word statement outlining how the scholarship would positively impact your life and assist with your academic work, with reference to the importance of English literature to your studies
- Evidence of a complete and submitted University of Melbourne Student Financial Assessment form
- At least one academic reference
- A current 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.
For University of Melbourne Student Financial Assessment awards, delays are common due to the timing of data processing.
Submit an applicationStatus:
Not open yet
Recipient feedback
The weight off my shoulders this scholarship gives is immense, particularly as I come closer to the end of my degree. By worrying less about finances on a daily basis, the Gwenda Ford English Literature Scholarship will truly help by giving me the time, stability and confidence I need to strive towards making work I'm proud of.
Oliver Walsh
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.
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