Governor Phillip Scholarship

1. Background 

a. This Scholarship has been established to commemorate the bicentenary of the death of Admiral Arthur Phillip RN (1738 - 1814). The purpose of the Scholarship is to promote bilateral exchange of outstanding students from Australia and the United Kingdom to study at postgraduate level at leading universities in both countries. 

b. This particular Scholarship provides financial assistance to a Masters by Research student who is undertaking research in the field of politics and international relations. The successful recipient of this Scholarship may upgrade to a PhD but this will not be covered by the Scholarship.

2. Eligibility 

a. The Scholarship is offered subject to the applicant having an unconditional offer of admission to study full-time in a Masters by Research within the School of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Sydney. 

b. Applicants must be willing to conduct research in at least one of the following areas:

I. International Relations,
II. Public Policy,
III. Political Theory,
IV. Comparative Politics, and/or
V. Australian Politics.

c. Applicants must have a first class honours undergraduate degree from the University of Oxford.

3. Selection Criteria

a. The successful applicant will be awarded the Scholarship on the basis of: 

I. academic merit, and
II. area of study and/or research proposal.

b. The successful applicant will be awarded the Scholarship by a selection committee consisting of the:

I. DVC (Education) or their nominated delegate (Chair), 
II. Dean of Graduate House, St Paul’s College, and 
III. at least two members of staff from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.

4. Value

a. Academic course fees are provided for a successful international applicant, for 8 research periods, subject to satisfactory academic performance.

b. Full board and accommodation will be provided at Graduate House, St Paul’s College, (University of Sydney campus) for two years.

c. No extension is available.  

d. Overseas Health Cover and the Student Services and Amenities Fee will not be covered by the Scholarship.

e. The Scholarship is for commencement in the relevant research period in which it is offered and can be deferred for up to 6 months if the recipients unconditional offer of admission is approved to be deferred. 

f. The Scholarship can not be transferred to another area of research without prior approval from the Associate Dean (Research Education), Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.

g. No other amount is payable. 

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

5. Eligibility for Progression 

a. Progression is subject to attending and passing the annual progress evaluation. 

6. Leave Arrangements

a. Not applicable.

7. Research Overseas

a. The Scholarship recipient may not normally conduct research overseas within the first six months of award.

b. The Scholarship holder may conduct up to 12 months of their research outside Australia. Approval must be sought from the student's supervisor, Head of School and the Faculty via application to 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.

8. Suspension 

a. The Scholarship recipient cannot suspend their award within their first six months of study, unless a legislative provision applies.  

b. The Scholarship recipient may apply for up to 12 months suspension of the Scholarship for any reason during the tenure of the Scholarship. Periods of Scholarship suspension are cumulative and failure to resume study after suspension will result in the award being terminated. Approval must be sought from the student's supervisor, Head of School and the Faculty via application to the Higher Degree by Research Administration Centre (HDRAC). Periods of study towards the degree during suspension of the Scholarship will be deducted from the maximum tenure of the Scholarship.

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

10. Termination

a. The Scholarship will be terminated:

I. on resignation or withdrawal of the recipient from their research degree,
II. upon submission of the thesis or at the end of the award,
III. if the recipient ceases to be a full-time student and prior approval has not been obtained from the Associate Dean (Research Education), Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences to hold the Scholarship on a part-time basis, 
IV. if the recipient receives an alternative primary tuition fee scholarship. In such circumstances this Scholarship will be terminated in favour of the alternative tuition fee scholarship where it is of higher value,  
V. if the recipient does not resume study at the end of a period of approved leave, or
VI. if the recipient 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, or
III. 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 provided, the University may require the student to repay payments made 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.