Faculty of Arts students at the University of Melbourne will benefit from one of the most generous undergraduate scholarships in Australia through the establishment of the Ramsay Centre for Western Civilisation Scholarship in the Humanities, following a $35 million donation from the Ramsay Centre for Western Civilisation.
Starting in 2027, the Scholarship will provide substantial financial and academic support and enrichment to150 students studying liberal arts and humanities, ensuring outstanding students from a wide range of backgrounds can thrive in their studies.
University of Melbourne Interim Vice-Chancellor Professor Glyn Davis AC said the Scholarship will provide life-changing options and opportunities for humanities students.
"This generous donation will make a transformative difference to the lives of our students, and we are deeply grateful to the Ramsay Centre," Professor Davis said.
"The University of Melbourne is well placed to lead this unique initiative, particularly at a time when the critical skills and expertise that are nourished through an Arts degree are needed more than ever.
"Paul Ramsay's generosity and vision will have an enormous, ongoing impact in the years ahead on scores of our students. This scholarship will do many things, but at its heart it will help them thoughtfully link the past and present, to reflexively apply ideas to real-world problems, and to re-examine ways of doing things for a better future."
The Ramsay Centre for Western Civilisation Scholarship in the Humanities will offer students access to comprehensive financial and academic enrichment benefits, including:
- A $32,000 per annum stipend for two years of their undergraduate degree
- A $6,500 grant for study abroad
- Attendance at an international summer school
- Participation in an academic enrichment seminar series
- An annual regional leadership program
- A community service and volunteering program
- An option for additional financial support for an Honours year and/or postgraduate degree (Executive Master of Arts) or Diploma in Languages if all criteria are met
Students choosing to study History, Philosophy, Art History, Classics, Ancient World Studies or English and Theatre Studies may be eligible to apply for the Scholarship based on academic merit, and consideration will be given to those also studying a related language.
Ramsay Centre CEO Dr Martin Fahy said the Scholarship reflected a meeting of purpose.
"The Ramsay Centre for Western Civilisation Scholarship in the Humanities reflects the University of Melbourne's commitment to educating thoughtful, capable and socially minded humanities students, and the Ramsay Centre's dedication to advancing education through the study and discussion of the Western intellectual tradition," Dr Fahy said.
"Students will be invited to engage deeply in disciplines and experiences grounded in that tradition, within a rich and rigorous humanities education. In that spirit of aligned purpose, the generosity of our benefactor, the late Paul Ramsay AO, helps bring this program to life and to sustain its aspirations."
Dean of Arts Professor Jennifer Balint said the Scholarship speaks to the importance of an Arts degree and will nurture critical thinkers who challenge themselves and others.
"The Faculty of Arts has a long-standing tradition of excellence in the humanities, demonstrating our belief that understanding human culture, history, and expression is essential," Professor Balint said.
"This Scholarship offers an unrivalled and timely opportunity to support our students to become active, culturally aware and critically engaged citizens. It is a commitment to nurturing future leaders who can think globally, embrace diverse perspectives and engage with the world around them. It will bring to life the values of intellectual curiosity, community connection and civic responsibility."
There will be five annual intakes of students, with five of the 30 scholarships per year allocated to under-represented groups, including Indigenous students and those from low socioeconomic backgrounds.
All elements of the Scholarship program will be administered and delivered by the University of Melbourne and no new degrees or majors will be developed.
Scholarship applications are expected to open in late 2026.
