University of Sydney / Faculty of Arts / Current Students / Scholarships and Financial Assistance

Scholarships and Financial Assistance

Undergraduate Scholarships

Postgraduate Coursework Scholarships

Postgraduate Research Scholarships

Scholarships for international students

Undergraduate Scholarships

Iain A Cameron Travel Grant

The Iain A. Cameron Travel Grant provides assistance for one or more Honours or postgraduate research students from the Faculty of Arts, the Sydney College of the Arts or the Sydney Conservatorium of Music to undertake research in either France or Scotland as part of their degree.

Please contact for more information.

Walter Reid Memorial Prize

The Walter Reid Memorial Prize was originally established in 1948 from the estate of Mr Walter Edward Reid, barrister-at-law and Secretary to the Bar Association of NSW. The prize shall be awarded annually without application to students enrolled in any undergraduate degree course in the Faculty of Arts or the Faculty of Law (including Honours, or any undergraduate degree course combined with Arts or Law) on the basis of academic merit in the previous year.

For more information on the award, see the scholarships' website.

The University of Sydney Scholarships

The University of Sydney has many different types of scholarships available to school leavers and undergraduate students. The following are some of the shcolarships that are available:

University of Sydney First Year Bursary

The University of Sydney First Year Bursary is offered to eligible first year students to help with establishment costs at university. Students will be eligible to apply if they are enrolled full-time, are in receipt of Youth Allowance, Austudy or any other Centrelink Benefit, and can demonstrate financial need due to one or more of the following: low socio-economic status, rural or isolated background, living away from home or a disability. Valued at $2000, up to 60 bursaries may be awarded. Please note that students must have successfully passed all courses in Semester one to be considered for award.

For further information regarding the application procedure please click here.

University of Sydney Merit and Entry Scholarship

These scholarships are awarded on a combination of school examination results, University Admission Index (UAI) and other achievements, such as leadership, creativity, self-motivation, and communication skills. We want to know what makes you special, so don’t be afraid to tell us in your personal statement!

Scholarships for Outstanding Achievement

You do not need to apply, although you must have a University of Sydney preference on your UAC application for university admission. You will be contacted after the UAIs are released, if you meet the criteria. These scholarships are awarded after the release of the UAI results, as they are based only on UAI scores. There is no need to apply for this type of scholarship, as the University will automatically contact you by mail if you get a UAI of 100 or 99.95. Students sitting the International Baccalaureate and international students applying for admission through UAC are also eligible.

University of Sydney Access Scholarships

We know that students who overcome disadvantage can achieve excellent results at university, especially with support from the University. Access Scholarships assist academically-gifted students in challenging circumstances. If you are financially disadvantaged (if you are receiving Youth Allowance or any other means-tested Commonwealth benefit), are from a rural or regional area of Australia, or have a disability or long-term medical condition, we recommend you apply through UAC’s Equity Scholarships application. These scholarships are available for any undergraduate degree, and you can apply at any stage of your degree.

For further information and a full list of scholarships available to school leavers and undergraduate students, see the Scholarships and Prizes Office website: www.usyd.edu.au/scholarships

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Postgraduate Coursework Scholarships

Merit Scholarships

Merit Scholarships will be available in 2010 to local fee paying postgraduate coursework students enrolled in Master degrees, Graduate Diplomas and Graduate Certificates. Students do not have to apply for the scholarships.

The Faculty of Arts will award up to 10 Merit Scholarships each year.
The Merit Scholarship will be a discount on course fees of $300 per unit of study commencing in the semester following the award of the scholarship. Merit Scholarship holders will be notified in writing of the award of a scholarship.

Students who have been granted a HECS place are not eligible for this scholarship.

Conditions

To be awarded the scholarship, candidates must:

  • be enrolled in a postgraduate coursework award program in the Faculty of Arts (ie Master, Graduate Diploma, Graduate Certificate)
  • be enrolled in a minimum of 2 units of study (12 credit points) in a semester
  • have confirmed by the semester results processing deadline all results within the enrolled program in that semester
  • achieve a Distinction average (75% or above) in the two best units of study within the award program in that semester

Note: Merit Scholarships will be awarded on the basis of the results confirmed at the semester results processing deadline, so late results will not be considered.

The Faculty will rank the eligible candidates according to merit in the given semester.

Faculty of Arts International Postgraduate Coursework Scholarships (IPCS)

The Faculty of Arts offers scholarships to outstanding international students undertaking a postgraduate coursework program in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Sydney. These scholarships cover the tuition fees for the whole degree program in which the applicant is enrolled. Note: the scholarships do not cover any other costs, such as travel, accommodation, text books, insurance, health cover and the like.

To be considered for an IPC scholarship, applicants must have an unconditional offer of a place in their chosen program of study in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Sydney. Applicants should also have a minimum of 7.5 IELTS (overall) if they are from a non-English speaking background.

Scholarships will be available for all postgraduate coursework degree programs in the Faculty of Arts. In the 2009 round of offers, applications for admission to the following degrees will be given priority:

  • Master of Arts (History)
  • Master of Cultural Studies
  • Master of Health Communication
  • Master of Human Rights
  • Master of International Studies
  • Master of Media Practice
  • Master of Museum Studies
  • Master of Translation Studies
Eligibility

Applicants must have received an unconditional offer of admission to a Masters by coursework program in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Sydney. This means that applicants must have met the Faculty’s English language requirements, as well as academic admission requirements. For more information on English language requirements, please visit the International Office Website
Applicants must be commencing postgraduate study at the University for the first time. Applicants must be a citizen of a country other than Australia and New Zealand, and may not hold permanent residency in Australia. Applicants may not be in receipt of any other tuition fee scholarship.

Selection

Applicants will appreciate that there is strong competition for these scholarships. Selection is based on academic merit, including excellent results in the applicant's English language test. Applicants should provide a statement regarding why they want to undertake their chosen program at the University of Sydney, and what they hope to achieve following graduation. Please note: It is very important that applicants make clear the degree for which they are applying.

Scholarship Benefits

These scholarships exempt students from the international student tuition fees for the duration of the program.

Items NOT covered by the IPCS include:

  • Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
  • A living allowance
  • Travel or relocation costs
  • Overseas fieldwork costs
  • Visa application fees
  • Tuition fees for any units beyond those required for the completion of the degree
Commencement Date

Scholarships are awarded on the basis that the student will commence study in the year for which it is offered, and for the program in which a place has been offered in the Faculty of Arts. A scholarship holder may defer commencement of the program of study, and of the award of a scholarship, for only one semester, and then only under exceptional circumstances.

Duration

The scholarship is limited to the standard duration of the course of study (8 units of study for the various Masters degrees listed above; except: 12 units for the Master of Translation Studies). An extension of the scholarship is possible if the student’s program is upgraded to the degree of Master of Letters (offered in limited, not all, subject areas) and provided an extension of visa has been approved by the Australian Government.

Leave

Scholarship holders may in special circumstances take leave of absence from their scholarship for a maximum of one semester. Students must check their visa conditions before applying for leave; and they must apply for permission in advance of taking such leave.

Transferring Scholarships

These scholarships cannot be transferred from one institution to another, nor from the Faculty of Arts to another faculty in the University of Sydney. Scholarships might be transferable to another program within the Faculty, with the Faculty’s permission and appropriate departmental approval.

Termination of Scholarships

Scholarships will be terminated:

  • if the student fails to meet the eligibility requirements outlined in the conditions
  • if the student fails to make satisfactory progress in the program
  • when the student ceases to be enrolled as a full-time
    postgraduate coursework student at the University of Sydney
  • if the University determines that the student is guilty of serious misconduct, including, but not limited to, having provided false or misleading information
  • if the student does not resume study at the end of a period of approved leave
  • if the student is granted permanent residency in Australia. Students must immediately advise the International Office and the Faculty Office about any changes to their visa status
  • upon the death, incapacity, resignation or withdrawal of the student from the program of study.
How to Apply

Please note: The Faculty of Arts International Postgraduate Coursework Scholarships are available ONLY for postgraduate coursework degrees undertaken at Master level in the Faculty of Arts.

There is no application form for these scholarships. If you are interested and eligible to apply, please submit a personal statement with your application for admission to a postgraduate coursework degree in Arts. This personal statement should briefly set out your academic and extra-curricular or professional achievements (you must also provide original or certified academic transcripts with your application), and outline why you want to undertake your chosen course at the University of Sydney, and what you hope to achieve following graduation.

Please note: It is very important that applicants make clear the degree for which they are applying.

All applications for admission to the University should be addressed to:

Admissions Officer - Arts Postgraduate
International Office
Jane Foss Russell Building - G02
University of Sydney
NSW 2006
Australia

For further information about applications for admission to a postgraduate coursework degree in 2010, please see the International Office Website.

Closing Dates

  • For applicants intending to commence study in Semester 1, (March) 2010:
    30 OCTOBER 2009
  • For applicants intending to commence study in Semester 2, (July) 2010:
    30 APRIL 2009
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Postgraduate Research Scholarships

Australian Postgraduate Awards (APA) scholarships are awarded to students of exceptional research potential to undertake a higher degree by research at an Australian University. The APA scheme is administered by the Commonwealth Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) in conjunction with Australian universities. They are open to Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens, and Australian permanent residents. Competition for the APA is high and successful applicants must hold a first class Honours undergraduate degree or equivalent, or have completed a degree with an outstanding record of professional and/or research achievements since graduation.

University of Sydney Postgraduate Awards (UPA)

The University of Sydney Postgraduate Award has conditions and allowances similar to the APA. However, the award is funded by The University of Sydney and is not transferable to other institutions. The University of Sydney Postgraduate Award is offered to applicants ranked on the Australian Postgraduate Award order of merit list, and a separate application is not required.

The application form for the APA is available from the Research Office website. Applications close 31 OCTOBER 2008.

For further information, or to submit an application, please contact:

Research Office
Room K4.01,Quadrangle, A14
The University of Sydney NSW 2006 Australia
T: +61 2 9351 3250
F: +61 2 9351 4812
E:
W: www.usyd.edu.au/su/reschols/scholarships
Hours of business: 9:00am – 5:00pm, Monday - Friday

Postgraduate Teaching Fellowships

The Faculty of Arts is committed to high quality teaching at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. In order to provide the opportunity for postgraduate students to develop teaching skills, while pursuing postgraduate research, the Faculty of Arts is offering eight Teaching Fellowships to outstanding postgraduate students who will commence their doctoral degrees in 2010. Each fellowship will be held for one year in the first instance with renewal for up to three years depending upon annual performance.

Teaching Fellows will be expected to contribute the equivalent of .25 FTE per week during semester (approximately 9 to 10 hours a week of which up to four hours may be spent in face to face tutoring and the remainder in preparation and marking). In addition to normal teaching and marking rates, a $1000 stipend will be paid in recognition of their selection for the programme. Teaching Fellows will be required to complete the Tutor’s Development Programme in the Faculty of Arts and will be assigned an academic supervisor for the period of the Fellowship. They may also be asked to participate in helping to disseminate good teaching practices across the faculty through workshops and peer support. Teaching Fellows will also receive formal acknowledgement of their participation in the scheme.

The Postgraduate Teaching Fellowship Scheme is open to all applicants, international and Australian students, for full time enrolment in a PhD degree in Arts at the University of Sydney. Applications are not necessary as the choice of successful candidates will be based on the rankings from the University of Sydney University Postgraduate Awards (UPA) and the Australian Postgraduate Awards (APA) and the rankings for the University of Sydney International Scholarships (UsydIS).

For further information about Arts Teaching Fellowships contact the Associate Dean of Postgraduate Research, Faculty of Arts, the University of Sydney.

Scholarships for international students

There are a number of scholarships on offer to outstanding international applicants, including the following:

  • University of Sydney International Scholarship (USydIS)
  • University of Sydney – China Scholarship Council Research Schemes
  • University of Sydney World Scholars.
  • Endeavour International Postgraduate Research Scholarships (Endeavour IPRS)

International students should contact the International Office directly for more information.
E:
W: www.usyd.edu.au/fstudent/international/postgrad/costs/scholarships_res.shtml

Postgraduate Teaching Fellowships

The Faculty of Arts is committed to high quality teaching at both the undergraduate and postgraduate level. In order to promote opportunities for postgraduate students in the Faculty to develop their teaching skills in the context of their postgraduate training, the Faculty of Arts is offering eight Teaching Fellowships to outstanding post graduate students who will commence their doctoral degrees in 2010. Each fellowship will be held for one year in the first instance with renewal for up to three years depending upon annual performance.

Teaching fellows will be expected to contribute the equivalent of .25 FTE per week during semester (approximately 9-10 hours per week, including preparation and marking). In addition to normal teaching and marking rates, a $1000 stipend will be paid in recognition of their selection for this program. Teaching fellows will be required to complete the Tutor’s Development Program in the Faculty of Arts and will be assigned an academic supervisor for the period of their Fellowship. They may also be asked to participate in helping to disseminate good teaching practices across the Faculty through workshops and peer support. Teaching fellows will also receive formal acknowledgement of their participation in the scheme.

The Postgraduate Teaching Fellowship Scheme is open to all applicants, international and domestic students, for full-time enrolment in a PhD degree in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Sydney. Applications are not necessary as the choice of successful candidates will be based on the rankings from the University of Sydney Australian Postgraduate Awards (APA), University Postgraduate Awards (UPA) and University of Sydney International Scholarships (USydIS)

For more information about the Faculty of Arts Teaching Fellowships please contact the Associate Dean (Postgraduate Research), Associate Professor Judith Keene, ().

Endeavour International Postgraduate Research Scholarships (IPRS)

The EIPRS is for overseas postgraduate research applicants only.

More information available here.

Postgraduate Research Support Scheme (PRSS)

The PRSS is a scheme introduced by the University in 2001 to provide direct support for currently enrolled postgraduate research students. Under the scheme, funds are allocated to Schools or Departments (in some cases, Faculties) based on their higher degree research enrolment figures in the previous year. The funds are not allocated directly to students, but are awarded by Schools or Departments to eligible applicants on a competitive basis according to the University’s general guidelines.

Download more information and the application form.

Research Training Scheme (RTS)

The Research Training Scheme (RTS) provides Commonwealth-funded Higher Degree Research students with an "entitlement" to HECS exemption for the duration of an accredited HDR course of study, up to a maximum period of 4 years' full time equivalent study for a Doctorate by research and 2 years' full time equivalent study for a Master's degree by research.

PhD Research Travel Grant Scheme 2010

This scheme is for full time PhD candidates only and covers expenses incurred for research undertaken outside Sydney. Applicants must be undertaking essential research during the specified period that cannot be completed without significant travel outside Sydney.

Download more information and the application form.

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