Frequently asked questions (FAQs) for APA/UPA applicants

KEYWORDS

Adding Information; Application Forms; Applying for Multiple Scholarships; Deferment; Eligible Degrees; Feedback; Honours and Honours 1 equivalence; International Students; Key Dates; Late Applications; Likelihood of Success; Other Scholarships; Previous Scholarships; Prior Enrolment in the Degree; Professional experience; Referee Reports; Results; Supervisor and Research Project; Transferring an APA

Adding Information

I recently submitted my APA/UPA application, but since then I’ve had a journal article accepted for publication. Can I add this to my application?
If there is still time for the information to be included in the assessment of your application we will add it. Please forward the article details and proof of acceptance to the Scholarships Office.

Application Forms

Where can I get the APA/UPA application form and instructions?
While applications are open, you can download the application form and instructions here.

Can I still get a copy of the APA/UPA application form after the closing date?
The application form can be downloaded once the APA/UPA applications open. For the rest of the year only the Information document is available for reference purposes.

Applying for Multiple Scholarships

Can I apply for more than one scholarship?
Yes. The APA/UPA application form covers you for the APA, UPA, University-wide top-up scholarships such as the VCRS, Merit Award and Alumni scholarships, and some Faculty/School/Department specific scholarships (refer to Sections 3 and 4 of the APA/UPA Information for Applicants document, found here).

Deferment

I’m not sure that I want to start my research Masters/PhD candidature in Semester one. Can I apply for an APA/UPA now and then defer it if my application is successful?
Applications for deferment of a Semester one APA/UPA are only considered in exceptional circumstances. In general, a deferment will only be considered if it is requested due to events beyond your control, which were not foreseeable at the time you submitted your application. Deferment cannot be requested due to employment commitments or travel. You should consider applying in the Semester two round.

Deferment is not possible at all if you apply for and are awarded a Semester two APA/UPA.

Eligible Degrees

I intend to enrol in a coursework Masters which has a research component. Can I apply for the APA/UPA?
No. The conditions of these scholarships state that you must be enrolled in a postgraduate research degree.

I want to do a second PhD. Can I apply for an APA/UPA?
You cannot apply for an APA/UPA if you have already completed a degree at the same, or higher, level as your proposed candidature.

Feedback

My application for an APA/UPA was unsuccessful. Can I get some feedback?
Please contact the postgraduate administration office in your faculty for feedback on your application.

Honours and Honours 1 equivalence

What is Honours 1 equivalence?
To be eligible to apply for the APA/UPA, you must have an Honours 1, Honours 1 equivalence, or have completed a degree and have an outstanding record of professional and/or research achievements since graduation.

Please refer to section 5.2 of the APA/UPA Information for Applicants document for information on Honours 1 equivalence (download the information document here). Section 5.3 of the same document provides details on the information required to substantiate any professional experience and research publications or outputs.

I received Honours 2 from another University, but if I’d gotten the same mark at the University of Sydney I would have received Honours 1. Can I apply for an APA/UPA?
Your result remains at Honours 2 level.

I received an Honours 2 result but there were mitigating circumstances. Can I still submit an APA/UPA application and apply for special consideration of my APA/UPA application?
The APA/UPA are awarded on academic merit and research potential only.

I don’t have Honours 1 or Honours 1 equivalence, but can I apply for an APA/UPA based on financial need?
The APA/UPA are awarded on academic merit and research potential only.

International Students

I'm currently an international student but I've applied for Australian permanent residency. Can I apply for an APA/UPA?
You must receive your Australian permanent residency by the APA/UPA application closing date to be eligible to apply for these scholarships.

Late Applications

I’ve only just found out about the APA/UPA and the closing date for applications has passed. Can I still submit a late application?
No. The Scholarships Office cannot accept late applications for the APA/UPA.

Likelihood of success

What is the likelihood of my APA/UPA application being successful?
The Scholarships Office cannot pre-assess your APA/UPA application.

Section 6 of the Information for Applicants document (found here) lists the things that are taken into account when assessing your application.

Other Scholarships

If I am not successful in gaining an APA/UPA, what other scholarship options are available?
There are many scholarship options available beyond the APA/UPA. You should refer to the Current Research Scholarships webpage to access the Research Scholarships Database, our Weekly Research Scholarships Email Bulletin and our Scholarships for Postgraduate Research Students information brochure. We recommend that you also check your faculty/department’s website for any additional scholarships that they may have on offer.

Previous Scholarships

I previously held a UPA at University of Sydney for two years for a Masters candidature. I’m now starting a brand new PhD candidature. Can I apply for an APA/UPA?
If your previous scholarship was a UPA you can apply, but the period that you have already held the UPA for will be subtracted from the scholarship tenure if you are awarded an APA/UPA for your PhD. So, if you held the UPA for 2 years for the Masters, you could receive an APA/UPA for a maximum of 1.5 years (including the 6 month extension period) for a PhD.

If your previous scholarship was an APA you are not eligible to apply, as the eligibility conditions prohibit applications from anyone who has previously held an APA for more than 6 months.

Prior Enrolment in the Degree

Can I apply for an APA/UPA scholarship after I commence my research?
Yes, although this depends on the length of your prior enrolment.

You will incur advanced standing. Periods of prior enrolment in a postgraduate research degree will be deducted from the tenure of your APA/UPA. Advanced standing refers to this period of deducted tenure. For example, a doctoral scholarship is awarded for 3 years with a possible maximum extension of 6 months. If you have already completed 1 year of your doctorate degree before being awarded a scholarship, you are only eligible to hold the scholarship for a maximum of 2.5 years (including the possible 6-month extension since your advanced standing is 1 year).

To be eligible to apply for an APA/UPA you must be eligible to receive at least 1 year of scholarship tenure after your advanced standing is deducted.

Professional experience

I believe I meet the criteria under Section 5.3 d) of the Information for Applicants document for relevant professional experience. I have a letter from my employer which states my period of employment and job title. Is this sufficient for my APA/UPA application?
The letter that your employer needs to provide must state the period of your employment, whether it is full-time or part-time, your job title, plus a description of your role so that the university can assess whether your employment is relevant to your Masters/PhD research topic.

Referee Reports

Do I need referee reports?
If you have been enrolled at this University at any point during the last two years, you do not need to provide referee reports.

Referee reports are required for applicants who have not been enrolled at the University of Sydney previously, or who have not been enrolled at the University within the last two years.

Referee reports do not add any points to your APA/UPA ranking, but they are helpful in assessing your application if you have not previously been a University of Sydney student, or if it has been some time since you were a student at the University of Sydney.


Can my referee reports be submitted before my APA/UPA application is submitted?
Yes. Once applications are open, your referees can submit their reports to the Scholarships Office.

Results

When will I find out if my APA/UPA application has been successful?
The last page of the Information for Applicants document states when the results will be released.

I’m going overseas just before the APA/UPA results will be released. Can I get my result a little bit earlier?
No, the Scholarships Office does not release results on this basis.

I've been offered an APA/UPA but I've also applied for an NHMRC scholarship. Can I wait for my NHMRC scholarship result before I reply to the APA/UPA offer?
You can initially accept the APA/UPA offer, and then subsequently decline it if you are offered a NHMRC scholarship.

Supervisor and Research Project

I want to apply for an APA/UPA but I haven’t got a Supervisor or research project yet. Can I still apply?
You must also apply for admission into the research degree, so you must organise a Supervisor and research project and complete these details on the APA/UPA application.

Please note that some Faculties may close their applications for admission prior to the APA/UPA closing date. You must submit your application for admission by the Faculty's deadline if this is earlier than the APA/UPA closing date.

If the Faculty deadline for applications for admission is after the APA/UPA closing date, you must submit your application for admission by the APA/UPA closing date to be eligible to be considered for an APA/UPA.

Transferring an APA

I hold an APA at another university but I want to transfer my candidature to the University of Sydney. Can I directly transfer my APA?
The APA funds were awarded to your original university and remain with that university. (They don’t move with you.) You will need to go through the University of Sydney’s APA/UPA application process.

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