Faculty of Engineering International Tuition Fee Research Scholarship

1. Background

a. Funded by the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Sydney, this Scholarship has been established to provide academic tuition fees to outstanding international higher degree research (HDR) students within the Faculty.

2. Eligibility

a. The Scholarship is offered subject to the applicant having an unconditional offer of admission for full-time enrolment in a PhD program or an unconditional offer of admission for full-time enrolment in a Masters by Research program with the intent to transfer to PhD after satisfactory completion of the first annual progress evaluation within the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Sydney.

b. Applicants must be an international student at the time of award.

c. Applicants must provide evidence that their stipend allowance is being paid by a third-party sponsor or university funded.

d. Applicants must apply and be considered for the Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarships. RTP applicants will be automatically considered for the Faculty of Engineering International Tuition Fee Research Scholarship. A separate application is not required.

e. Applicants cannot be in receipt of an RTP or equivalent primary scholarship that provides academic course fees. If a Faculty of Engineering International Tuition Fee Research Scholarship award is made and the applicant is subsequently offered an RTP or equivalent primary scholarship, this Scholarship will be terminated in favour of the RTP or equivalent primary scholarship.

3. Selection Criteria

a. The successful applicant will be awarded the Scholarship on the basis of academic merit, their area of study and research proposal, or other evidence of research potential.

b. The Faculty maintains the discretion to prioritise the awarding of the Scholarship to students whose supervisors are early to mid-career researchers and where their proposed research aligns with the Faculty's strategic research priorities.

c. The Scholarship will be awarded based on the nomination of a Selection Committee consisting of the Faculty Associate Dean (Research), Associate Dean (Research Education), and each School's Research Education Director, or their nominees. The ultimate decision rests with the Associate Dean (Research).

4. Value

a. The Scholarship will provide academic course fees and the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF), subject to satisfactory academic performance, as per the below duration:

I. up to four research periods for a successful Masters by Research recipient. No possible extension (full-time equivalent).

II. up to twelve research periods for a successful PhD recipient with a possible two research period extension (full-time equivalent).

b. If a successful applicant converts from a Masters by Research to a PhD or vice-versa, the maximum duration of the Scholarship becomes that of the new candidature.

c. Periods of study already undertaken towards the degree prior to the commencement of the Scholarship, will be deducted from the maximum duration of the Scholarship excluding the potential extension period.

d. The Scholarship is for commencement in the relevant research period in which it is offered. Recipients can defer the Scholarship for up to three research periods subject to the approval of their Supervisor and Head of School, or their nominee. Deferment of scholarship for more than three research periods is considered on a case-by-case basis by the Associate Dean (Research Education), or their nominee.

e. Recipients cannot transfer the Scholarship to another area of research or change their supervisor without the prior approval of the Associate Dean (Research Education), or their nominee.

f. The Scholarship will be offered subject to the availability of funding.

g. No other amount is payable.

5. Eligibility for Progression

a. The Scholarship is maintained for PhD students by attending and passing the annual progress evaluation and remaining enrolled in their PhD.  For PhD students commencing from 2021 onwards, progression also includes completing 12 credit points of HDR coursework units by the end of year 2.

b. Progression for Master’s by Research students is subject to attending and passing their first annual progress evaluation and subsequent transfer to a PhD program. For Master’s by Research students commencing from 2021 onwards, progression also includes completing 6 credit points of HDR coursework units by the end of year 1.

6. Leave Arrangements

a. Not applicable.

7. Research Overseas

a. Scholarship recipients commencing in Australia may not normally conduct research overseas within the first six months of award. 

b. Scholarship recipients commencing in Australia may conduct up to 12 months of their research outside Australia. Approval must be sought from the student's lead supervisor, Head of School and the Higher Degree by Research Administration Centre (HDRAC), and will only be granted if the research is essential for completion of the degree. All periods of overseas research are cumulative and will be counted towards a student's candidature. Students must remain enrolled full-time at the University and receive approval to count time away. 

c. Scholarship recipients who are not able to travel to Australia to start their degree, may commence their studies overseas part-time.  Approval must be sought from the student’s lead supervisor and will only be granted where a progress plan has been agreed and application for remote candidature has been approved by the Associate Dean (Research Education), or their nominee. Students commencing their degree overseas will receive this scholarship initially for 12 months. Extensions beyond 12 months, if scholarship recipients are not able to travel to Australia, will be considered on a case by case basis and subject to the approval of an application to extend their remote candidature.

8. Suspension

a. Subject to relevant visa conditions, the Scholarship recipient cannot suspend their award within their first six months of study, unless a legislative provision applies.

b. Subject to relevant visa conditions, the Scholarship recipient may apply for up to 4 research periods of suspension for any reason during the tenure of their Scholarship. Periods of suspension are cumulative and failure to resume study after suspension will result in the award being terminated. Approval to suspend must be given by both HDRAC and Associate Dean (Research Education). Periods of study towards the degree during suspension of the Scholarship will be deducted from the maximum tenure of the Scholarship.

c. Whenever a recipient suspends his/her studies the university MUST report the suspension to immigration authorities and the recipient may be obliged to return to their home country for the duration of the suspension. Therefore, if a recipient wishes to remain in Australia during a period of suspension of studies, they must contact the closest Australian Immigration Office within 28 days of the approval notice to seek approval to remain in Australia during the suspension.

9. Changes in Enrolment

a. The Scholarship recipient must notify HDRAC and their supervisor promptly of any planned changes to their enrolment including but not limited to: attendance pattern, suspension, leave of absence, withdrawal, course transfer, and candidature upgrade or downgrade. Recipients who obtain Australian Permanent Residence status during the course of their enrolment at the University of Sydney (or prior to enrolment at the University) MUST notify HDRAC immediately when their Australian Permanent Resident visa is issued. In this case, recipients must bring their passport to the University Student Centre as soon as possible so that the University can adjust their residency status.

b. If the award holder does not provide notice of the changes identified above, the University may require repayment of any overpaid academic tuition fees.

10. Termination

a. The Scholarship will be terminated:

I. on resignation or withdrawal of the student from their research degree,

II. upon the student having completed the maximum candidature for their degree as per the University of Sydney (Higher Degree by Research) Rule 2011 Policy,

III. if a Master’s by Research student does not satisfactorily complete their first annual progress evaluation, complete the required 6 credit points of HDR coursework units,  and subsequently transfer to a PhD program,

IV. upon submission of the thesis or at the end of the award,

V. if the student ceases to be a full-time student and prior approval has not been obtained to hold the Scholarship on a part-time basis,

VI. if the recipient receives an alternative tuition fee scholarship. In such circumstances this Scholarship will be terminated in favour of the alternative tuition fee scholarship where it is of equal or higher value,

VII. if the recipient becomes an Australian Permanent Resident,

VIII. if the recipient does not resume study at the end of a period of approved leave, or

IX. if the student ceases to meet the eligibility requirements specified for this Scholarship, (other than during a period in which the Scholarship has been suspended or during a period of approved leave).

b. The Scholarship may also be terminated by the University before this time if, in the opinion of the University:

I. the course of study is not being carried out with competence and diligence or in accordance with the terms of this offer,

II. the student fails to maintain satisfactory progress, 

III. the student fails to attend and pass their annual progress evaluation and complete 12 credit points of HDR coursework units by the end of year 2, or

IV. the student has committed misconduct or other inappropriate conduct.

c. The Scholarship will be suspended throughout the duration of any enquiry/appeal process.

d. Once the Scholarship has been terminated, it will not be reinstated unless due to University error.

11. Misconduct

a. Where during the Scholarship a student engages in misconduct, or other inappropriate conduct (either during the Scholarship or in connection with the student’s application and eligibility for the Scholarship), which in the opinion of the University warrants recovery of funds paid to the student, the University may require the student to repay stipend amounts and any other payments made to the student in connection with the Scholarship. Examples of such conduct include and without limitation; academic dishonesty, research misconduct within the meaning of the Research Code of Conduct (for example, plagiarism in proposing, carrying out or reporting the results of research, or failure to declare or manage a serious conflict of interests), breach of the Code of Conduct for Students and misrepresentation in the application materials or other documentation associated with the Scholarship.

b. The University may require such repayment at any time during or after the Scholarship period. In addition, by accepting this Scholarship, the student consents to all aspects of any investigation into misconduct in connection with this Scholarship being disclosed by the University to the funding body and/or any relevant professional body.