PhD Scholarships 2011 At The University of Canberra,Australia


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Here is your opportunity to learn in and contribute to an energetic, innovative and collaborative research environment, where the generation of new knowledge and its translation into application and policy impact are valued.


The University of Canberra offers PhD scholarships, (for commencement in 2011) across a range of research disciplines in Science, Health and Technology, Social Sciences, the Humanities and Creative Arts. It is also launching a number of new inter-disciplinary research initiatives within the cross-cutting themes of sustainable environments, cities and regions; governance and policy; healthy and resilient communities; cultural heritage, creative industries and public communication.
If you have the appropriate qualifications (First Class Honours or equivalent) in a relevant discipline, you are invited to apply. Scholarships valued at $22,500 (indexed) will be offered with significant top-ups valued at $8000 for the most outstanding candidates. Applicants with a First Class Honours degree from an Australian University are guaranteed a scholarship.
You’ll be joining a forward-looking institution committed to forging sustainable research networks in pursuit of excellence.

How to Apply

Prospective Students
If you wish to apply to undertake a research degree at the University of Canberra and also wish to apply for a 2011 scholarship, please complete the application form and return the form and requested documents to the Research Students' Office, postgrad.research@canberra.edu.au or 1B206 by 31 October 2010.
If you are not currently studying at the University of Canberra, but have completed an application form to apply to undertake a research degree at the University of Canberra, you do not need to complete any further documentation.  Your application will also be used as your scholarship application, however applicants must apply to study full time in order to be eligible for ranking.

Please see our How to Apply webpage for all steps in applying for a higher degree by research.
Please note: Allocation of scholarships is very competitive and scholarships can only be awarded to applicants with the strongest academic background and the potential to carry out the highest quality research.

Current Students

If you are a current Higher Degree by Research (HDR) student at the University of Canberra and wish to apply for a 2011 scholarship, please complete the application form and return to the Research Students' Office with an updated CV (including details of publications) and a research proposal (no more than 2 pages), postgrad.research@canberra.edu.au or 1B206 by 31 October 2010.

Eligibility

To be eligible candidates need to have consumed no more than 2.5 EFTSL (or completed up to maximum of 2.5 years Full Time Equivalent (FTE) study) in the semester in which they are applying. Those who have consumed 2.5 EFTSL or more in that semester (or been studying for more than 2.5 years (FTE)) are not eligible for a scholarship.
Candidates will need to be Honours 1 or equivalent.

Supporting Letter

Your Primary Supervisor is to provide a confidential supporting letter covering:
  • your commitment and understanding of your research project,
  • your progress as a HDR student, and
  • the quality of your research project.
The confidential supporting letter is to be sent directly to the Research Students Office.
Please note: Allocation of scholarships is very competitive and scholarships can only be awarded to applicants with the strongest academic background and the potential to carry out the highest quality research. Your application will only be processed on receipt of your supervisors confidential supporting letter. Only successful candidates will be contacted due to the large volume of applications received.

Grounds for Honours Equivalence

The following guidelines determine whether an applicant has qualifications considered equivalent to a First Class or Second Class Division 1 Honours degree.

Grounds for Honour 1 equivalence are normally limited to:

(a) Advanced postgraduate diplomas, with an exceptional level of results.* Units undertaken must include research methods and a project. Results for the project and research methods unit must be at High Distinction level for H1 equivalence to be granted.

(b)  Masters by coursework, whether completed or incomplete: at least one full year of subjects at postgraduate level by the end of the year of application, with an exceptional level of results.* Units undertaken must include research methods and a project. Results for the project and research methods unit must be at High Distinction level for H1 equivalence to be granted.

(c)   Masters by research, if complete: only acceptable as equivalent to H1 with evidence of superior performance, such as an award with Honours (First Class Honours if grades are awarded), or as shown by prizes, examiners reports, refereed publications or conference papers based upon the research. In all cases, copies of examiners reports and refereed or other publications must be provided.

(d)  Masters by research, if incomplete: at least one year full-time towards completion (or part-time equivalent) by the end of the year of application, with evidence of superior performance such as reports by supervisors, assessors reports on seminars, refereed publications or conference papers based upon the research. In all cases, copies of supervisors reports and refereed or other publications must be provided.

(e)  Masters qualifying programs, with at least one full year of subjects at postgraduate level, with an exceptional level of results.* Units undertaken must include research methods and a project. Results for the project and research methods unit must be at High Distinction level for H1 equivalence to be granted.

(f)   A four year degree where honours is not awarded, if including a substantial research project and with an exceptional level of final year results.* Results for the project and for any research methods unit, if undertaken, must be at High Distinction level for H1 equivalence to be granted.

(g)  Doctoral studies, if incomplete: at least one year full-time towards completion (or part-time equivalent) by the end of the year of application, with evidence of superior performance such as reports by supervisors, assessors reports on seminars, refereed publications or conference papers based upon the research. In all cases, copies of supervisors and assessors reports and refereed or other publications must be provided.

(h)  A degree plus a qualification from a Royal College, eg MBBS + MRACP.

(i)     A degree of Second Class Honours at Division One (2A) level in exceptional circumstances may be accepted as equivalent to H1 if a candidate also has a strong record of refereed publications (appropriate to the discipline), or a minimum of three years relevant work experience in an appropriately supervised research environment, or other outstanding written contribution to a relevant profession, or some combination of these.


Exceptional Circumstances

In exceptional circumstances, applicants may be assessed as having First Class Honours equivalence on grounds other than the above. Such exceptions will be considered by the University Research Degrees Committee on application by the faculties. Evidence must support an application based on the following grounds:
(a) A significant record of scholarly publication: as appropriate to the discipline, demonstrated by a number of refereed articles in scholarly journals, a single-author research monograph, or publications of equivalent academic standing; or

(b) Significant relevant research work experience: usually for a minimum of five years, involving responsibility for the conduct of research projects (not merely working as a research assistant) and resulting in outcomes for which the applicant has had major responsibility. While normally this would involve some form of publication, it is recognised that in some circumstances publication may not be possible and other evidence of outcomes may be acceptable; or

(c) Outstanding public recognition of a research contribution to a relevant profession: a candidate who has been awarded prizes or medals or other significant public recognition for research in a relevant profession may be acceptable.
  

Grounds for Honours 2A Equivalence:

Grounds for H2A equivalence include items listed above for H1 equivalence, but at a very good rather than an exceptional level of achievement. Account may be taken of any refereed publications, relevant work experience, or other outstanding written contribution to a relevant profession.

In addition, a pass degree may be accepted as equivalent to a H2A if a candidate has:

(a) a good publication record as demonstrated by a number of refereed scholarly publications appropriate to the discipline; or

(b) a minimum of three years' relevant work experience in an appropriately supervised research environment; or

(c) other outstanding written contribution to a relevant profession;or

(d) some combination of these; or

(e) in the case of a four year degree where honours is not awarded, very good final year results.

*An exceptional level of results: In this context, an exceptional level could include results at High Distinction level in not less than 50% of subjects, or at Distinction level or better in all subjects, or other results approximately equivalent to this. Note that in all cases the results for the research methods and project subjects must be at High Distinction level for H1 equivalence to be granted.
Very good but not exceptional results are considered equivalent to Honours 2A, and could include results at Distinction level in not less than 50% of subjects, or at least at an average of Credit level in all subjects, or other results approximately equivalent to this.

Scholarship Application Ranking Procedures

Applications for scholarships are processed within the Research Students' Office where they are assessed for completion and eligibility for entry into an Australian higher degree by research.
Applications that have passed this initial assessment are then forwarded to the appropriate faculties or research centres for academic staff to assess and rank applicants in an order of merit based on the following considerations:
  • First Class Honours or First Class Honours Equivalence
  • The research experience of an applicant, including research degree training (where points are allocated on the length of time spent in research postgraduate training)
  • The professional experience of an applicant (with points allocated on the length of time spent in a professional context which is relevant to the higher degree by research program for which the applicant is applying)
  • An applicant's publications and creative works as relevant to the higher degree by research program for which the applicant is applying
  • Evidence of previous academic or professional awards, scholarships or prizes as they relate to the higher degree by research program for which the applicant is applying
  • An applicant's understanding of and approach to their research topic as demonstrated in the application proposal
  • Referee reports.
The Higher Degree Scholarship Ranking Committee meets to establish a university-wide Order of Merit list, based on the faculties/centre rankings. Through this process, scholarships are awarded to the highest ranking applicants in this university-wide Order of Merit.

Closing Date

Closing date for applications October 31 2010
All applications are to be submitted to the Research Students’ office by email, in person or post at the following address by October 31 2010:
Postal:Research Students’ Office
Building 1, Room 1B206,
University of Canberra,
ACT, Australia, 2601
Physical Location:Building 1, Level B, Room 206
Email:postgrad.research@canberra.edu.au


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