FAQs on PhD Admission and Scholarships Applications

FAQs on PhD Admission and Scholarships Applications

1. What is the general procedure for an admission of entry to a PhD program?

Ans: First, you need to apply for the admission of entry to a PhD program offered by CSU. An application form should be completed by each applicant. The application form (for admission) can be found at http://www.csu.edu.au/research/forms/index.htm. Note: Application forms are slightly different from each Faculty. Please use the form HD1F.

Getting a permission of admission means you are admitted to a CSU PhD program, ie., being a PhD candidate at CSU. The next step is to make a separate application to scholarships (see questions below).

2. Why Scholarships?

Ans: Most PhD students are financially supported by scholarships or other research fundings. As a full time PhD research student, your living expenses as well as health insurance may be covered by a scholarship. If you are an overseas/international student, then you need to pay tuition fee to the University. Some shcolarships can be used to pay the tuition fee.

3. Which Scholarships can I apply for?

Ans: Each year the Centre for Research & Graduate Training (CRGT) of the University offers scholarships to qualified applicants. There are three kinds of scholarships Both APA and IPRS are from the Australian government, but they are applied through the University. Only Australians (including New Zealand citizens) or permanent residents of Australia are eligible for APA. However if you are from other countries, you are eligible for both CSUPRS and IPRS.

4. How many scholarships do I need for my study?

Ans: An Australian (including New Zealand citizen) or permanent resident needs only one scholarship because they don't need to pay tuition fee to the university as a research student. However if you are an international student, usually you need to apply for both IPRS and CSUPRS for your study. IPRS will be used as your tuition fee paid to the University and your (including your dependent family if you are married) health insurance. CSUPRS (currently it is about AU$19,000 per year) will be used for your living expenses.

5. Any application forms needed for Scholarships?

Ans: Yes. You need to complete an application form for scholarships. Please note this is different from the admission application say HD1F form.

The new scholarship application form won't be available until July of each year. When it is available you can get it from http://www.csu.edu.au/research/forms/index.htm.

6. Why do I need to write a research proposal?

Ans: As part of the assessment of your application, CSU wants to know what you are going to do in your PhD research and how it could be involved with the research priority and strength. It should be a two-A4-page proposal. You can discuss this issue with me and get my assistance if needed.

7. When to lodge applications?

Ans: The CSU accepts admission applications at any time, but the deadline for applications for scholarships in the next year round usually is 31st October of the current year. For example, if you expect to get scholarships in 2007, then the deadline is 31st October 2006.

8. What should I prepare for the scholarship application?

Ans: Follow the instruction in the application form. As applying for scholarships is very competitive and is based on academic merits, so please put as many academic evidences as you can. For example, research experiences and outcomes, publications etc.

9. Do I need a TOEFL score?

Ans: If you are from a non-English spoken country, you are requested to prove your English ability. In the application and assessment procedure, you can use your TOEFL score as the evidence of English ability. However it is strongly recommended you should take part in an IELTS test, as you are asked to present to the Australian Embassy in your country when you are applying for a student visa.

to be continued