[Australia] RMIT University International Scholarships

Deadline: 5.00pm Eastern Standard Time, Friday 30th September 2005

RMIT University International Scholarships (RUIS) will be awarded to new international postgraduate research students with excellent academic performance. This scholarship is not available to students already enrolled at RMIT University. In 2005 the scholarship covered the annual tuition fees in a Higher Degree Research ( HDR) programme undertaken at RMIT University and a living stipend of approximately AUD$19,000 per annum.

RMIT University is committed to world-class research that is practical, applied and valuable. The University is committed to attracting top research students into its key areas of expertise. Priority for scholarships will be given to students conducting their research in one of these concentrations.

ELIGIBILITY

RMIT University International Scholarships (RUIS) will be awarded to new international postgraduate research students with excellent academic performance.

Citizenship
Applicants who are citizens of all overseas countries, except New Zealand.

Commencement
Applicants must be commencing full-time enrolment in a Higher Degree by Research ( HDR) programme in Australia in 2006 at RMIT University. The approved programme duration is two years for a Masters by research degree or three years for a Doctorate by research degree.

RMIT University may consider students who commenced a HDR programme at an eligible institution and terminated that enrolment within six months of commencement.

RUIS 2006 awardees must commence their studies in Australia in 2006 at RMIT University by 30th August 2006.

The RUIS 2006 award cannot be deferred to another year. If a candidate is unable to take up a RUIS award, the candidate must apply again for the award in the following year.

Academic
Applicants must have received a Firm Offer or Conditional Offer of a place for entry in a Higher Degree Research ( HDR) programme at RMIT University, to commence in Semester 1 or Semester 2 2006. The offers must be granted no later than 15th September 2005.

Note: Applicants who receive an offer of a place for entry in a HDR programme at RMIT University, after 15th September 2005 but before 30th September 2005, may be considered at the discretion of RMIT University. Only applicants who have submitted a complete application for the RUIS 2006, including Academic Referee Reports, no later than 30th September 2005 may be considered.

Sponsorship/Scholarship history
Applicants who are applying for or have received external funding for tuition and/or living allowance are eligible to apply. The allocation of the tuition fee and living allowance for RUIS 2006 is at the discretion of RMIT University and will be determined by the value of external allowances. Please provide details of the sponsorship arrangement and evidence of the funding and duration. RMIT University must receive the evidence by the closing date, 30th Sept 2005.

Applicants receiving one of the Endeavour Awards listed on the following website are eligible to apply. Australian Government Department of Education, Science and Training (http://www.dest.gov.au/international/awards/endeavour.htm)

English language requirements
Applicants must provide evidence of English language proficiency prior to the 30th September 2005. Students who have not provided such evidence before this date will be deemed ineligible for selection.

As a guide, RMIT University requires the following English language requirements for entry into research programmes:

* IELTS - 6.5+ (no band less than 6.0)
* TOEFL – Paper based = 580+ (TWE4.5+)
* TOEFL – Computer based = 237+ (TWE4.5+)
* REW – English for Academic Purposes Advanced Level 1 & 2

Note: Some programmes have higher English language requirements

Currently enrolled students at RMIT University
If you will successfully complete your coursework programme prior to commencing in a research programme, you may be considered.

VALUE OF RUIS 2006 AWARD

RMIT University will provide:

* The annual tuition fees in a Higher Degree by Research ( HDR) programme undertaken at RMIT University, in a course included on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) for the standard duration of the programme.

* The cost of a standard Overseas Student Health Cover policy approved by the Commonwealth Government Department of Health and Ageing and which covers the student and dependants for the period of the RUIS 2006 award.

* A living allowance for successful candidates of the RUIS 2006 for the standard duration of the programme. As a guide, RMIT University recipients of the RUIS 2005 were awarded a living allowance of approximately AUD$19,000 per annum for the standard duration of the programme – two years for a Masters by research degree or three years for a Doctorate by research degree.

The RUIS award does not provide for travel, medical costs associated with the issue or renewal of a student visa, thesis expenses, the cost of English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS), or costs associated with overseas fieldwork.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Preference will be given to students from the regions identified as priorities under the Australian Government’s Endeavour Programme. These regions are Asia, Europe, North and Latin America, and the Middle East.

Students must be undertaking study in a subject area identified by RMIT University as one of its areas of research concentration. RMIT University has identified the following as their research concentrations for 2006.

Science, Engineering and Technology Portfolio

* Advanced Functional Materials
* Health, Well-Being and Human Performance
* Land and Water Sustainability
* Enterprise Through Integrated Process Systems
* Information Management and Communication

Business Portfolio

* Organisational Performance and Business Sustainability
* Market Knowledge/Intelligence
* Business ICT Infrastructure
* Money Relationships

Design and Social Context

* Sustainability
* Design in the Built Environment
* Visual Arts and Media
* Teaching and Learning

DURATION OF THE RUIS 2006 AWARD

The RUIS 2006 award will cover the duration of the programme from the time the student commences the HDR degree at RMIT University, or from the time the RUIS award was granted. The duration of an RUIS is three years for Research Doctorate degrees and two years for Research Masters degrees.

Work

Other than work that is specified as a course requirement, a student with a student visa may undertake work unrelated to their course requirements consistent with the conditions of the student visa. The student must obtain the approval of RMIT University prior to undertaking such work. RMIT University may not approve a student undertaking work unless it is satisfied that the work will not interfere with the student’s study programme. RMIT University may approve work subject to conditions determined by the RMIT University.

Work commitments cannot be accepted as grounds for an extension of the duration of the RUIS award RMIT University.

How to apply

Closing date: 5.00pm Eastern Standard Time, Friday 30th September 2005

Note: Applicants must have an RMIT University offer letter prior to lodging your application. Applicants only need to submit one set of the required documents when applying for both the Endeavour IPRS 2006 and/or RUIS 2006 Award.

Applicants wishing to be considered for RUIS 2006 Award must submit the following:

1. Completed RMIT Scholarship Application Form
2. A copy of your offer letter from RMIT University
3. Two Academic Referee Reports (see note below)
4. Official certified copies of all academic transcripts, including a university explanation of the grading system. Copies should be provided in both English and the original language (where applicable)
5. Certified copy of graduation certificate
6. Evidence of English language proficiency.
As a guide, applicants must meet one of the following English language requirements. However, please note some programmes require higher scores.
- IELTS - 6.5+ (no band less than 6.0)
- TOEFL – Paper based = 580+ (TWE4.5+)
- TOEFL – Computer based = 237+ (TWE4.5+)
- REW – English for Academic Purposes Advanced Level 1 & 2
The test result must have been within the past 12 months. If you do not meet this condition, RMIT University will recommend a suitable English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) programme for you.

7. Research proposal outlining the objective, methodology and expected outcomes (no less than 200 words)
8. Statement indicating why you wish to undertake this research
9. Resume (Curriculum Vitae)
10. Evidence of your employment history on company letterhead (if applicable)
11. Copy of any relevant publications, unpublished thesis or essays you have completed (if applicable)
12. Letter from scholarship provider (if applicable)

For Art & Design related programmes (if applicable), please include

13. A portfolio of 12 slides or a CD Rom including annotation introducing the work. Your folio will not be returned, please ensure that you retain a copy of all your folio.
14. Supplementary forms relevant to the Art & Design related programme. The form can be printed out at RMIT International’s Supplementary forms webpage (http://www.rmit.edu.au/international/supplementary_forms)

NOTES:
Academic Referee Reports
Two Academic Referee reports must reach RMIT International Pty Ltd by 5.00pm Eastern Standard Time, Friday 30th September 2005

Please note:

* It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the Academic Referee reports reach RMIT International prior to the RUIS 2006 closing date
* Faxed and emailed copies of Academic Referee Reports will not be accepted

Certified copies
Certified copies' are copies authorised, or stamped as being true copies of the originals, by a person or agency recognised by the law of the country in which they are certified.

Documents submitted
Please note that all documents submitted remain the property of RMIT University. Requests for documents to be returned will not be approved.

If you have any further enquiries, please do not hesitate in contacting
Ms Margaret Jones
RMIT International Pty Ltd
GPO Box 2303U
Melbourne
Victoria 3001
Australia
Tel: +613 9925 5135
Fax: +613 9663 6925
Email: iResearch@rmit.edu.au

This information is available at RMIT University Internatioal Scholarships. Click here to go to the website.

Read information about study in Australia here.