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 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. 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) candidates.

Eligibility

To hold this scholarship, you must:

  • be a domestic applicant (Australian Citizen, a permanent resident or a New Zealand Citizen)
  • be enrolled or eligible for entry into a research degree.
  • 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.

Closing Date

Applications for 2013 have now closed. 
Applications for 2014 must be lodged by 18 October 2013.

How will my application be ranked?

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

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 prior to being ranked for scholarships. You can apply for admission and a scholarship via the UWS Apply Online application portal.

You will be required to provide a research proposal and evidence of prior study, research output and professional experience.

You will also be required to complete and upload the Higher Degree Research Scholarship Application Form (DOC, 87 KB) with your online application.

Step 2: Contact an academic advisor

You must contact an academic advisor to discuss your proposed project before applying. A HDR Director (or equivalent) is available in each School and Research Institute to discuss your eligibility and assist you to identify a suitable supervisor. Please refer to the list of School and Research Institute HDR Directors.

Step 3: When should I apply?

Applications for admission and scholarship are accepted at any time of the year, and you can nominate to commence the course immediately, next session or next year. 

Scholarship applications received on or before 18 October 2013 will be eligible for award in 2014.

You should carefully consider your proposed course commencement date. Scholarships commence in January each calendar year.

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

If you have already applied for admission via the UWS Apply Online portal you can apply for a scholarship by submitting the Higher Degree Research Scholarship Application Form (DOC, 87 KB) before 18th October 2013.

I am already enrolled. How do I apply for a scholarship?

Currently enrolled candidates (at UWS or elsewhere) can apply for a scholarship if they have been enrolled in the degree for less than 3 full-time years for doctorates, or 2 full-time years for Masters Honours.

To apply for a scholarship submit the Higher Degree Research Scholarship Application Form (DOC, 87 KB) before 18th October 2013.

Please note that all periods of prior study will be deducted from the tenure of your scholarship.

When will I be made an offer?

Your application for admission will be considered by the University on receipt and you will usually be advised of the outcome within 4 weeks. Please note that 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. 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.

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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