Australian Postgraduate Awards (APA)

These awards are for full-time study towards higher degrees by research. Australian Postgraduate Awards are funded by the Department of Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science, Research and Tertiary Education. Competition for the APA scheme is intense; only eligible applicants with a first-class Bachelor Honours degree or equivalent qualifications and experience will be offered an award.

Value

$24,653 tax-free stipend for full time study in 2013 (2014 TBA). Relocation and thesis allowances are also available. Successful applicants will be awarded a Research Training Scheme funded place in the course.

UWS top-up scholarships of $10 000 per annum may also be awarded to the highest ranked applicants.

Tenure

The tenure of the award is three years for Doctoral candidates and two years for Masters Honours (research masters) candidate. Please note that all periods of prior higher degree study at any institution are deducted from the tenure of the scholarship.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

  • be a domestic student (Australian Citizen, a permanent resident or a New Zealand Citizen)
  • not already hold an academic qualification equivalent to or at a higher level than the research higher degree program you are undertaking.
  • not have previously held a research higher degree scholarship funded by the Australian government (other than IPRS) for three months or more, unless seeking to transfer with the agreement of your current institution.
  • have or expect to attain a First Class Bachelor Honours degree or equivalent qualifications and experience.
  • be commencing full time enrolment in a research higher degree for the first time in 2014.
Currently enrolled candidates are only eligible to apply if they commenced their higher degree research study - at any institution  - after 31st October 2013 and the timing of their application and subsequent enrolment prevented them from applying for a scholarship in 2013.

Candidates who enrolled in a research higher degree at UWS or another institution prior to 31 October 2013 are not eligible to apply.

Closing Date

Applications for 2014 must be lodged by 31 October 2013.

How will my application be ranked?

APA scholarships are ranked on the basis of previous academic merit and performance, research output, and relevant professional experience.

For more information, please contact the Research Scholarships Development Officer.

How do I apply for admission and a scholarship?

Step 1: Have you applied for admission?

Applicants for scholarships must be approved for admission to be eligible for a scholarship. You should apply for admission and a scholarship via the UWS Apply Online application portal. Scholarship applicants must upload the Higher Degree Research Scholarship Application Form to the Application Portal. Ensure your browser allows ‘pop-ups’ to open in order to access the form, or download the form (DOC, 87 KB) now and upload it when asked.

You must provide a research proposal and evidence of prior study, research output and professional experience where relevant.

Step 2: Contact an academic advisor

You must contact an academic advisor to discuss your proposed project before applying. If you have not identified a supervisor, a Higher Degree Research Director (or equivalent) is available in each School and Research Institute to discuss your eligibility and assist in identifying a suitable supervisor. Please refer to the list of School and Research Institute HDR Directors.

Step 3: When should I apply?

Scholarship applications received on or before 31 October 2013 will be eligible for award in 2014.

Scholarships commence in January each calendar year.

I have already applied for admission. Is it too late to apply for a scholarship?

If you applied for admission via the UWS Apply Online portal after 31 October 2012, you can apply for a scholarship by submitting the Higher Degree Research Scholarship Application Form (DOC, 87 KB) before 31 October 2013. Email this form to HDRscholarships@uws.edu.au

I am already enrolled – am I eligible to apply for a scholarship?

If you are currently enrolled in a research degree at UWS or another institution you may not be eligible to apply for an APA scholarship. To be eligible you must have applied for admission and commenced your research higher degree after the 31 October 2012. Please contact the Research Scholarships Development Officer for advice about your eligibility if this applies to you.

When will I be made a scholarship offer?

Scholarships are awarded in December. Scholarship payments commence from January each year.

Can I work while on scholarship?

Scholarship holders are permitted to undertake up to 8 hours paid employment each week provided that the work does not interfere with their study program – to which it is expected a minimum of 35 hours a week will be devoted throughout the year (scholarship holders are entitled to 4 weeks annual leave). Scholarship holders are not obligated to undertake tutoring or other academic employment. 

Can I apply for a part-time scholarship?

Scholarships are usually for full-time study. Part-time awards are available in very limited circumstances. You may not apply for a part-time award to enable you to work more than 8 hours per week. Part-time awards are liable for tax. Indicate your preference for a part-time scholarship on the Higher Degree Research Scholarship Application Form.

Contact Us

Research Scholarships Development Officer
Office of Research Services
University of Western Sydney
Locked Bag 1797, Penrith NSW 2751
Telephone: +61 2 4736 0966
Email: HDRscholarships@uws.edu.au

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