International Postgraduate Research Scholarships (IPRS)

International Postgraduate Research Scholarships (IPRS) are a tuition fee scholarship for full-time study towards a higher degree by research.  These prestigious scholarships are funded by the Australian Government.

UWS supports IPRS awardees with a living allowance and overseas student health cover. Competition for scholarships is intense; only applicants with an excellent academic record and capacity to undertake research training in one of the University’s areas of research strength will be offered an award.

Value

The IPRS award provides for the full cost of tuition and overseas student health cover. The award may not provide for other fees charged by the University from time to time.

UWS also provides a living allowance - A$24,653 per annum in 2013 - indexed annually and paid fortnightly.

Tenure

The tenure of both the award and the living allowance is three years for doctoral candidates and two years for Masters Honours (research masters) candidates.

Eligibility

Students from any overseas country, except New Zealand, who are commencing a new research degree course and do not already hold an equivalent degree are eligible to apply. Applicants for coursework awards are not eligible to apply, even where there is a research component in the degree. Students who have already commenced their research degree may not be eligible.

Current AusAID students are ineligible.

Closing date

Applications close on Friday 16 August 2013.

How will my application be ranked?

Applicants eligible for consideration for an International Postgraduate Research Scholarship will be ranked by the UWS Research Committee Scholarship Panel, following recommendation from the host School of the Research Centre or Research Group.

Eligible applicants will:

  • have an academic record at least equivalent to an Australian 1st Class Bachelor Honours degree. This is a four year degree with a major research project in the final year, with a score of at least 80 per cent.
  • be supervised in one of UWS’s areas of research concentration

How to apply

Step 1: Contact an academic advisor

Your application must include evidence that a suitable supervisor is available to supervise your proposed project in a UWS Research Centre or Research Groups.

An academic advisor is available in each Research Centre or Group to discuss your admission and assist you to identify a suitable supervisor. 

Research Centre or Group Contact Telephone
The Centre for Complementary Medicine Research (CompleMED) promotes an evidence based approach to the use of complementary medicine in healthcare by research on the safety, efficacy and use of complementary medicine, employing a range of disciplines. State of the art clinical, analytical and pharmacology laboratories facilitate research into how herbal medicine works on cellular, molecular and physiological levels, and to analyse and quantify the complex components contained in the medicines and their effect on our health. CompleMED has an international profile in traditional Chinese medicine research and collaborates with a range of industry partners and research institutions such as the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences . Our researchers hold major grants from the NHMRC and US National Institutes of Health, and publish in the world’s leading medical journals. The Centre undertakes clinical trials on the effectiveness of interventions such as herbal medicine, acupuncture and yoga on health, and plays an important role in the development of public health policy in complementary medicine. Ms Ros Priest
 +61 2 4620 3280
The Centre for Educational Research focuses on creating sustainable communities and equitable futures through world class research and research training structured around core themes of Globalisation, Sustainability and Equity. Educational curriculum and pedagogies are the linking theme throughout.

Professor Margaret Somerville

 +61 2 4736 0258
The Centre for Health Research conducts large-scale, multidisciplinary research to tackle major health challenges for Western Sydney, and similar communities nationally and globally. As well as collecting original health and clinical outcome data, the Centre aims to make best use of existing health data collections. It has unique expertise in using large, linked health datasets and applying innovative analytic techniques (including multilevel modelling, methods for spatial and geographic analysis and data mining), in conducting randomised controlled trials to assess self-management and preventive interventions, and in qualitative research examining the construction and experience of health. Ms Louise Francis
 +61 2 4620 3669
The Centre for Positive Psychology and Education has a strong focus on positive psychology research and also engage in multidisciplinary and multi-method scientific research on self and well-being, and educational, psychological, and social research that results in positive outcomes that enable life facilitation and build community capability. CPPE is focused on research that produces tangible outcomes, including: A positive psychology of the self; academic achievement; quality teaching; engaged learning; and enhanced educational, employment, psychological and physical health, productivity, and social outcomes.  Its research is underpinned by partnerships with families, communities, business, education stakeholders, and community organisations.
 Ms Kate Johnson
 +61 2 9772 6122
The Centre for Mathematics Research conducts research in a broad spectrum of mathematical areas, conducting abstract theoretical work together with concrete applications.  Researchers are working in algebra, control theory, and computational statistics.  Centre staff currently hold four Australian Research Council Discovery Project grants: in the areas of control theory, braid groups, and mathematical biology. The Centre hosts an ARC Future Fellow in algebraic models of bacterial evolution. Research at UWS in Mathematical Sciences was rated 4 (judged to be above world standard) by the national Excellence in Research, Australia (ERA) review. Professor Andrew Francis +61 2 9685 9236
The Religion and Society Research Centre has been established at UWS under the umbrella of the National Centre of Excellence for Islamic Studies. This National Centre brings together the University of Melbourne, Griffith University and the University of Western Sydney and aims to develop research programs that will advance Australian and international understanding of Islam and promote harmony and cultural inclusiveness.
 Ms Eva Garcia
 +61 2 9772 6675
The Urban Research Centre focuses on issues confronting cities and urban living in a rapidly urbanising world. The Centre has four research themes: productive and diverse economies; housing, property and home; geographies of difference; and urban and regional planning. The Centre specialises in innovative ways of thinking about major urban issues backed by grounded research using a robust mix of quantitative and qualitative methodologies.
 Professor Phillip O'Neill
 +61 2 8833-5912
Writing and Society’s members include critics, theorists and philosophers, poets, novelists, experimental writers, translators, editors, performers and composers. The Centre's core interest is in literature as a form of knowledge, and as an agent for the examination of social and cultural values. Writing and Society has research strengths in modern literature and contemporary writing (especially Australian); critical theory, literature and philosophy; literary translation; cross-media arts, literary publishing and the new technologies of writing.
 Dr Melinda Jewell
 +61 2 9772 6274
The Artificial Intelligence Research Group is focused on knowledge representation and reasoning, logic programming, automated negotiation, belief revision and change, and computational aspects of dynamic systems modeling. This highly theoretical work in Foundation AI research also parses into more applied research using AI logic and computational techniques to solve problems in intelligent agents, software development and maintenance, and information security, and collaborative research around issues of e-business automation. Recently the AI group also has further expanded its strong research initiatives in data mining, machine learning and image processing. Professor Yan Zhang
 +61 2 4736 0746
The Disaster Response and Resilience Research Group studies mental health and psychosocial response factors in the context of an all hazards framework. This includes natural disasters, terrorism, pandemic influenza, and broader "slow" disasters, such as drought, climate change, and socio-demographic adversities.  Our primary objectives are to promote resilience and effective coping in the face of adversity, and to support the translation of research and expertise into evidence-informed policy, and national and regional service response systems. Professor Beverley Raphael
 +61 2 9685 9575
The Family and Community Health Research Group  uses a capacity building framework and aims to achieve international recognition for producing quality research that is responsive and relevant to the health of individuals, families and communities and the changing professional and organisational needs within a diverse health care system. Our programs of research cover Midwifery, Child and Family Health; Acute, Chronic and Rehabilitation; and Aged Care with cross themes of policy and practice; innovation; partnerships and education.  Our research students and members are from many disciplines including Nursing, Midwifery, Medicine, Psychology, Biomedical and Health Sciences. Professor Sheree Smith
 +61 2 4620 3532
The Justice Research Group‘s focus is the courts and other justice processes. Taking a multidisciplinary evidence-based approach, the Group aims to address practical policy questions while engaging with a range of theoretical literatures from psychology, sociology, media studies, architecture, forensic science and law.  The group partners with the Court of the Future Network which is a multidisciplinary group of architects, engineers, psychologists, judicial officers, lawyers, criminologists and others in Australia and New Zealand who work closely with court communities to improve the quality of justice environments. Ms Judy Camac
 +61 2 9772 6336
Molecular Medicine Research Group: The cornerstone of modern biomedical science is translational research - most commonly described as ‘bench-to-bedside’. The Group’s Basic and Clinical scientists aim to improve the long-term health and well being of Australians by applying molecular systems biology techniques to treat a range of medical conditions of multi-factorial origins and pathologies; to develop and translate benchtop research into bedside therapeutics by identifying underlying molecular mechanisms and critical biomarkers for prevention and detection of medical conditions, and to raise new generations of researchers with highly diverse molecular skill sets to tackle these issues.
 Professor Jens Coorssen
 +61 2 4620 3802
The Nanoscale Organisation and Dynamics Research Group is a multidisciplinary research team whose focus is on molecular association, organisation and dynamics with an emphasis on medical nanotechnology and medical physics applications (e.g., drug binding, probing porous media including biological tissue and tumours) especially through the use and development of advanced magnetic resonance (incl. MRI and diffusion measuring) techniques.
 Professor William Price
 +61 2 4620 3336
The Solar Energy Technologies (SET) research group is aimed at the development of photosensitive oxide semiconductors, which are expected to form a new generation of solar materials that are competitive to silicon. Their application includes high-performance photocatalysts for solar water purification resulting in the removal of microorganisms and toxic organic compounds from water. The semiconductors are also the candidate for photoelectrodes for the generation of solar hydrogen fuel from water. The research program is addressing the need to decrease the emissions of greenhouse gases and climate change. Dr Tad Bak
 +61 2 4620 3808

Step 2: Submit an application form

The application form (PDF, 338.56 KB) is now available. Please submit the form by the closing date.

All applicants are required to submit a research proposal and certified copies of their transcripts and certificates of completion. Applicants who have already applied for admission must still submit the IPRS application form.

If you have published your work in refereed journals or presented your work at conferences and wish this to be considered you should submit evidence of these achievements.  Please refer to the instructions in the application for information on how to present this evidence.

Can currently enrolled candidates apply?

If you are currently enrolled in a research degree at any institution you may not be eligible to apply for these awards. Please contact the Research Scholarships Development Officer for advice about your eligibility if this applies to you.

When will I be made an offer?

Scholarships are awarded in October and successful applicants should commence their course and scholarship in the Autumn session of the following year - March.

Can I work while on scholarship?

International students on scholarship are permitted to work the maximum number of hours as per their individual visa conditions.  However, the University recognises that it is in your best interests to undertake a minimal amount of paid work to ensure you are able to focus on your studies. Scholarship holders are not obligated to undertake tutoring or other academic employment. In all cases the paid work must be approved by the University and must not interfere with your study program.

If you are unsure about the conditions of your visa please contact the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (opens in a new window).

Contacts

Research Scholarships Development Officer
Office of Research Services
University of Western Sydney
Penrith Campus, Building K.1.42
Locked Bag 1797, Penrith NSW 2751
Telephone: +61 2 4736 0966
Email: hdrscholarships@uws.edu.au

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