IPRS, SIRF and other international scholarships

Introduction

Applications are invited from suitably qualified international students for scholarships to undertake the degree of Master by Research or Doctor of Philosophy at The University of Western Australia.

The purpose of the IPRS and the UWA SIRF scheme is to attract top quality international postgraduate students to areas in which the University has specialised research strengths and to support Australia's research effort. Successful applicants can expect to become members of a research team working under the direction of senior researchers and in an area which has attracted external resources.

Applications for international postgraduate research scholarships at UWA are rated according to the following criteria: (a) Academic achievement; (b) English language achievement; (c) Research training achievement; and (d) Proposed research environment. Allocation of scholarships is the outcome of a competitive ranking and selection process in which applications are scored and ranked by Schools, Faculties and the University Scholarships Committee, according to these common criteria and on the basis of evidence provided.

Applications for IPRS and SIRF are by online form. The same form is used for all three (3) scholarships. 

The next round of applications is for the International Postgraduate Research Scholarships (IPRS) and Scholarships for International Research Fees (SIRF), and will be open from Friday 16 January to Friday 13 March 2009

Click here for a list of key dates relevant to these scholarships.

International Postgraduate Research Scholarships (IPRS) and Scholarships for International Research Fees (SIRF)

The International Postgraduate Research Scholarships (IPRS) are funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Education, Employment & Workplace Relations (DEEWR) and the Scholarships for International Research Fees (SIRF) are funded by The University of Western Australia.

Both of these scholarships cover tuition fees and health insurance premiums only. The University provides a University Postgraduate Award International Students (UPAIS) or a University International Stipend (UIS) living allowance scholarship of $A20,007 per annum (in 2008) for successful applicants and an allowance for thesis production costs. Travel and relocation costs are the responsibility of the applicant.

Eligibility Criteria for IPRS and SIRF Scholarships awarded by UWA

IPRS and SIRF Scholarships will only be available to those applicants who:

• Have completed a four year undergraduate degree at first-class honours level or equivalent. An applicant may be disadvantaged if the Scholarships Committee cannot make a comparison with The University of Western Australia's standards, particularly in relation to the class of Honours achieved, ie first or second class Honours;

• Intend to enrol as a full-time candidate for a Master's degree by research or a PhD degree;

• Will be commencing their course in the semester following the scholarship round in which they have successfully applied;

• Provide evidence of achieving English language proficiency to the following standards: IELTS SCORE OF 6.5, with speaking and listening no less than 6.0 and with reading and writing no less than 6.5; or a TOEFL score of 580 or above (Computer-based test score of 237 or above) and a TWE (Test of Written English) of 4.5; or an iBT TOEFL internet-based test score of 95 with 23 for writing and no other band less than 22.

The following applicants will be ineligible for a scholarship under the IPRS and SIRF schemes:

• International applicants who have already obtained a PhD degree or equivalent.

• International applicants who have already obtained a Master's degree by research and are applying to undertake another Master's degree by research.

• International applicants are not eligible for an IPRS awards if they have already commenced the degree for which they are seeking an award, unless they can establish that they were unable to apply for an award in the previous calendar year. Students who have already enrolled are eligible for the SIRF awards.

• International applicants who have not provided evidence of their English language proficiency meeting or exceeding the standards listed above and in the application form.

• Australian and New Zealand citizens or permanent residents.

There is no age restriction.

Please note: when you apply for an IPRS, you are automatically considered for the award of a SIRF scholarship.

Identification of suitable School or Centre, supervisors and area of research interest

Other information is also available on the following UWA websites:

• A list of Faculties, Schools and Centres may be found by following the links from: http://directory.uwa.edu.au/structure

• A list of Postgraduate Contacts within specific Schools and Discipline Groups may be found at: http://www.postgraduate.uwa.edu.au/page/41554

• You can also search for UWA staff with particular areas of research expertise by looking at: http://directory.uwa.edu.au/specialists/

• The UWA online Postgraduate Handbook is available at http://handbooks.uwa.edu.au/postgraduate and contains information for each Faculty and other general information for postgraduate students

It is essential that you contact the individual School or Centre in which you are interested in undertaking research. The School must be able to confirm that your proposed research topic is in an area of research strength which is well supported by external research funding. They must also be able to provide appropriate expertise and supervision for your project. A list of Faculties, Schools and Centres may be found at http://directory.uwa.edu.au/alpha or see the Graduate Research Coordinators.

If you have any further questions regarding these scholarships, please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions list.

If you require instructions or help regarding the online application process, please refer to the iAthena Online Application Guide.