Are you seeking an opportunity to pursue advanced research studies in a world-class institution? Do you aim to be part of a vibrant academic community while receiving financial support? The University of New South Wales (UNSW) Higher Degree Research (HDR) Scholarships might be the perfect gateway to achieving your research ambitions.

UNSW HDR Scholarships support outstanding domestic and international students in pursuing research excellence at UNSW Sydney. These scholarships are tailored to meet the needs of high-achieving candidates and offer various benefits, including stipends, tuition fee offsets, and additional allowances. With the diverse range of scholarships available, applicants have numerous opportunities to receive financial backing based on merit and eligibility.

Through these scholarships, UNSW ensures that researchers can focus entirely on their studies and contribute to impactful projects. Whether you’re an Australian citizen or an international student, the HDR Scholarships provide financial support to help you reach your academic goals and make a lasting impact in your field of study.

Key Details and Dates

• Application Deadline: Scholarship Deadlines
• Result Announcement Dates: Two weeks after the deadline; further offers may take up to two months
• Funding Type: Partially Funded
• Host Institution: University of New South Wales
• Eligible Countries: All
• Eligible Gender: Male and Female
• Target Group: Postgraduate research students
• Field: All fields of research offered by UNSW
• Study Level: Doctorate (PhD) and Master’s by Research
• Duration: Full duration of the research program
• Program Language: English
• Host Country: Australia

Benefits and Financial Aids

Following are the scholarship details for national and international candidates:

Domestic Scholarships:

1. Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP): The Australian government funds this program, which includes an RTP stipend, fee offset, and allowance.
2. University Postgraduate Award (UPA): Includes RTP Fees Offset (funded by the Australian Government) and a stipend (funded by UNSW).
3. RTP Fees Offset without Stipend: Covers tuition gap, funded by the Australian Government and UNSW.

International Scholarships:

1. RTP International Scholarship: Includes RTP Stipend, Fees Offset, and Allowance, funded by the Australian Government.
2. University International Postgraduate Award (UIPA): Covers tuition fees, stipends, and allowances funded by UNSW.
3. Tuition Fee Scholarship (TFS): Covers tuition fees (UNSW-funded) and stipend (funded by Faculty, School, or Supervisor).
4. TFS with External Scholarship Agreement: Tuition fees are funded by UNSW, and stipends are paid from an external organization (e.g., China Scholarship Council).

Tuition Fee Scholarships (TFS):

• Regular TFS: Paired with stipends from Faculty, School, or Supervisor; Self-support is not allowed.
• TFS with External Agreements: Developed through MoUs, stipends may be paid by external partners.

Additional Benefits:

• Overseas Student Health Cover (International RTP, UPA)
• Relocation and Thesis Allowances (RTP, UPA)
• Visa Fee Waiver (International RTP)
• TfNSW Travel Concession (RTP)

Note: Candidates must cover the UNSW Student Services Amenities Fee (SSAF) each term, except for UNSW Canberra students.

Eligibility Criteria

Following are the general scholarship requirements that all candidates should meet before applying:

• Applicants should meet all criteria outlined in the Admission to Higher Degree Research Programs Procedure and Higher Degree Research Scholarships Procedure.
• Submit a complete application by the scholarship deadline, including:
  • Transcripts for all degrees attempted
  • Financial declaration
  • Supervisor agreement/EOI outcome
  • Proof of English proficiency (English Waiver requests must be approved by the deadline)
  • Special consideration requests (e.g., part-time scholarship request)
  • Documents must be in English or translated by an accepted translator.
• Applicants finishing a degree may be assessed based on predicted final marks, which are confirmed upon completion.
• Applicants are ineligible if receiving:
  • An equivalent scholarship covering living allowance or tuition fees
  • Income exceeding 75% of the primary scholarship rate (income unrelated to the HDR program is not considerable).

Selection Criteria and Process

• Scholarships are allocated based on RTP objectives, research excellence, capacity, and UNSW equity and diversity goals.
• By applying for a UNSW HDR scholarship, applicants may receive all relevant UNSW HDR scholarships, subject to eligibility.
• The Central Scholarship Ranking Committee, with advice from UNSW Schools and Faculties, determines the selection, which is final approved by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Enterprise).
• The University awards the scholarships competitively, prioritizing applicants who have not already earned a research degree at the level they are applying for.
• The number of scholarships varies by budget and take-up rates each round.
• Allocation follows this merit order:

1. RTP
2. UPA/UIPA
3. TFS (international only, dependent on stipend)

• Successful applicants receive only one type of scholarship.
• Domestic applicants must meet admission eligibility to receive the RTP Fee Offset only award.

How to Apply?

• UNSW offers multiple scholarship application rounds each year.
• Scholarship applications are submitted with the admission application via the GRS How to Apply webpage.
• Applicants must indicate they are applying for a scholarship and select the relevant round.
• Application deadlines and term dates are listed on the UNSW website.
• Applications must meet eligibility and requirements before the scholarship round’s closing date.
• Applicants can only apply for one HDR program at a time.
• Check the UNSW website for specific deadlines and term dates for each scholarship round.

Apply Now

Further details and information regarding UNSW HDR Scholarships are available on the official UNSW website. You may also check the scholarship guidelines before applying.

Check More Scholarships:

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