International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (IPRS)
Conditions of Award for 2008
These Conditions of Award form the contract governing the payment of the award specified in the Offer of Award and such contracts shall bind the student and the University of Wollongong.
DEFINITIONS
In these Conditions of Award unless contrary intention appears:
“student” : means the student specified in the offer of award
“University” : means the University of Wollongong
“award” : means the International Postgraduate Research Scholarship
“HDR” : means Higher Degree Research
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
(1) To be eligible for an IPRS, a student must:
(i) be an overseas student as defined in the Act; and
(ii) meet international student visa requirements as specified by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC), including the requirement to purchase and maintain a standard Overseas Student Health Cover policy approved by the Commonwealth Government Department of Health and Ageing; and
(iii) be commencing full-time enrolment for the first time in a HDR at an eligible scholarship provider in Australia under section 46‑15 of the Act; and
(iv) be undertaking study in a subject area identified by the provider as one of its areas of research concentration; and
(v) not hold a research qualification regarded by the provider to be equivalent to an Australian Research Doctorate degree or, if undertaking a Research Masters degree, not hold a research qualification regarded by the provider to be equivalent to or higher than an Australian Research Masters degree; and
(vi) not have held an Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) scholarship within the two years prior to commencing the IPRS; and
(vii) not be receiving a scholarship for which course tuition is a component under any other scholarship scheme to which the Australian Government makes a substantial contribution.
(2) For the sake of clarity, paragraph 4.10(1)(c) does not preclude students from undertaking a component of their course of study outside Australia. Notwithstanding that paragraph, the provider may also consider students who:
(i) commenced their HDR in the previous year but who, due to the timing of their application and subsequent enrolment, were unable to apply for an IPRS in that year; or
(ii) commenced a HDR and terminated that enrolment within six months of commencement.
COMMENCEMENT
The student must commence the award by 31 March 2008 unless another date is specified in the letter of offer or in subsequent correspondence. If the student has not commenced by the date specified in letter of offer the offer will be withdrawn and the award allocated to another student.
DURATION
An IPRS may be held for three (3) years for Doctoral studies or for two (2) years for Masters by Research studies. Periods of study undertaken towards the degree prior to the commencement of the scholarship will be deducted from the maximum period of tenure.
The duration of an IPRS will be reduced by any periods of study undertaken:
(i) during suspension of the IPRS.
Conversion between Masters by Research and Doctorate
(i) Students may convert from a Research Masters degree to a Research Doctorate degree or from a Research Doctorate degree to a Research Masters degree and continue to receive their IPRS.
(ii) The maximum duration of a converted IPRS becomes that for the new research degree (minus periods of study undertaken towards the related degree prior to the conversion).
All requests for a conversion must be submitted in writing and must have the student’s supervisor’s written approval.
Suspension
Students may apply for a suspension of their award for up to 12 months. The approval of suspensions is at the discretion of the University. In exceptional circumstances, students may apply for suspensions beyond 12 months. Any suspensions beyond 12 months will only be considered in exceptional circumstances which are beyond the student's control and must be approved by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research). No suspension is possible beyond 2 years in total.
Periods of study undertaken towards the degree during suspension of the award will be deducted from the maximum period of tenure.
All requests for a suspension must be submitted in writing and must have the student’s supervisor’s written approval.
ENTITLEMENTS
Tuition Fees
The IPRS covers tuition fees at the University. An IPRS will not cover other compulsory fees (such as student union or activity fees) or costs associated with overseas fieldwork unless included in the estimated total course cost (CRICOS). If these costs are not included in the CRICOS listing, the student will be responsible for these costs.
An IPRS does not provide for living allowances, travel, medical costs associated with renewal of a visa, thesis expenses, the cost of English language testing or tuition fees for bridging or English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS), or costs associated with overseas fieldwork.
Overseas Student Health Cover
All international students studying in Australia are required to purchase and maintain OSHC for the duration of their studies. An IPRS covers the cost of a standard OSHC policy for the student and their dependants. The University is not responsible for the purchase of the OSHC.
A standard OSHC policy covers the costs of medical and hospital care in Australia, most prescription drugs, and emergency ambulance transport.
IPRS holders may wish to purchase extra OSHC if they require cover for ancillary services such as dental, optical, physiotherapy, etc. An IPRS does not cover the costs of extra OSHC.
VISA REQUIREMENTS
On receipt of written acceptance of the IPRS offer from the student, the University will issue a duly authorised Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) to enable the student to obtain a student visa to enter Australia. IPRS student and their dependants who meet requirements are issued with a student visa subclass 574 (Masters and Doctorate) which permits multiple entries into Australia. Students planning to depart and return to Australia at any time during their course should ensure that they hold a valid visa for re-entry.
Waiver of Visa application fees
As the IPRS is an approved Australian Government-funded scholarship scheme IPRS students are not required to pay visa application fees for themselves or their dependants. To gain exemption from the application fees, IPRS students must provide Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) with evidence of the scholarship, such as written notification from the University of the scholarship offer.
Extension of Visa
It is the responsibility of each IPRS holder to ensure that they hold a valid visa while in Australia. If the visa expires, the student may be required to leave Australia. Where a student is granted an extension of the IPRS a renewal of the student visa may be required. Under current arrangements international students are required to have a medical check-up before applying for a renewal of their student visa. The compulsory medical examination and x-ray are administered through Health Services Australia.
An IPRS does not cover any medical costs associated with the issue or renewal of a student visa.
PART TIME WORK
International students are not automatically granted the right to work with the issue of a student visa. A separate application is required for a new student visa with permission to work attached as a condition of that visa. Students and dependants can only apply for a visa with work rights after arriving in Australia and commencing studies. Work rights cannot be given with a student visa granted outside Australia.
Students who obtain a student visa with work rights will only be allowed under visa conditions to work a maximum of twenty (20) hours per week while undertaking studies; however, students can work for longer periods during non-study periods. In addition to the restrictions attached to the visa, any part-time work must also be approved by the University, which must be satisfied that the part-time work does not interfere with the study programme, which must be full-time. The University strongly recommends that students do not exceed eight (8) hours work per week between 9 am – 5 pm, Monday to Friday. Part-time work commitments cannot be accepted as grounds for an extension of the scholarship.
TRANSFER
Students who transfer to another University may continue to receive their IPRS only if their new University agrees to its continuation and subject to the new University having sufficient IPRS grant amounts of its own available. The new University must ensure that it has received information from the former University on any IPRS payment the student has received and the duration of the IPRS already consumed.
Transfer arrangements must be agreed between institutions, subject to the IPRS holder being offered a higher degree place at the new institution.
All requests for transfers must be submitted in writing and must have the student's supervisor's written approval.
TERMINATION
The award will be terminated upon submission of thesis or at the end of the award, whichever is earlier. Awards will be terminated before this time:
(i) on completion of the course of study;
(ii) if, in the opinion of the University, the course of study is not being carried out with competence and diligence or in accordance with the offer of award, and no suitable alternative arrangements can be made for continuation of the postgraduate degree;
(iii) when the student ceases to meet eligibility criteria;
(iv)on the death, incapacity, resignation or withdrawal of the student from the HDR course;
(v) if the award holder does not resume study at the conclusion of a period of suspension, or does not make arrangements in accordance with the regulations of the University, to extend that period of suspension;
(vi) upon the granting of Permanent Residence status to the student
(vii) the student has committed serious misconduct as defined by University Rules.
If an award is terminated, it cannot be reactivated.
SPECIFIC UNIVERSITY OBLIGATIONS
Supervision and Faculties
A University must:
(i) ensure that adequate facilities and appropriate supervision are available for each student undertaking a HDR
The University has established a Code of Practice for supervision of postgraduate research degrees. The code is published in the Postgraduate Calendar and the University web-site at:
http://www.uow.edu.au/handbook/codesofprac/cop_supervision.html
Administration
The University will be fair and equitable in the use of its discretionary powers.
This contract recognises the rights of students to appeal against decisions. Appropriate appeal mechanisms for resolution of any disputes that might affect their candidature are available from the Research Student Centre.
The University will pay the student all entitlements under the award.
SPECIFIC STUDENT OBLIGATIONS
Students shall diligently and to the best of their ability apply themselves to the successful completion of the degree, within the period of the award.
The student shall abide by the NH&MRC codes on human and animal experimentation, guidelines established by the Australian Government's Recombinant DNA Monitoring Committee and rulings of the Bio-safety, Animal and Human Ethics Committees of the University.
A student is required to conform to all rules and procedures (including disciplinary provisions) of the University.
Students must provide all reports required by the University including an annual progress report submitted through the supervisor, the Head of Postgraduate Studies and the Dean (or nominee). If the University does not consider that progress is satisfactory the award will be terminated and/or the student placed on probation.
If a University knows or has reason to believe that a student in receipt of an IPRS has provided false or misleading information to the University in relation to the IPRS, the University must immediately:
(i) re-assess the student’s entitlement to the IPRS; and
(ii) notify DEEWR (Department of Education, Employand and Workplace Relations) of the suspected offence and provide a copy of the student’s application and any other relevant information requested by DEEWR.
All requests for transfers, extensions, leave or suspension must be submitted in writing and must have the student’s supervisor’s written approval.
NOTE FOR INFORMATION
School education for dependents
In general, as Australian Government-funded scholarship holders, IPRS students may not be required to pay the education costs for any dependants attending government primary and secondary schools in Australia. However, as this exemption may vary according to state/territory, IPRS holders should contact the school where they propose to send their dependants to determine what costs may apply.
Child care assistance
IPRS holders may be eligible to claim Child Care Benefits (CCB) which assists families with the cost of child care. CCB is a means tested payment and is paid through the Family Assistance Office in Centrelink. Any payments you receive will depend on your family income. Although payment is usually restricted to Australian residents, people receiving direct financial assistance from the Australian Government (such as IPRS holders) are also eligible. Further information can be obtained from the Family Assistance Office on the Centrelink free call number 13 61 50.
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