Costs & Scholarships
The cost of your research degree
Costs and support differ for domestic and international students. It is important to look carefully at your unique situation and assess the finances you will require to successfully complete your research degree.
Student Services and Amenities Fee
From semester 2, 2012 a Student Services and Amenities fee is applicable to all students. This money is used to improve student services offered by the University.
Please note that this fee is not covered by any research degree scholarship. Off-campus, online and distance students are also required to pay a service and amenities fee. Find out more about SSAF.
Domestic research students
This support is in the form of an exemption from the contributions normally payable by Australian students under the Higher Education Loan Program.
RTS funding is limited to:
- PhD candidates - four years full-time (or part-time equivalent)
- Research masters candidates - two years full-time (or part-time equivalent)
All students are required to submit their thesis within the RTS entitlement period.
If you are a domestic student and receive a living allowance scholarship funded by the University of Newcastle or the Commonwealth Government, you will receive:
- An annual living allowance base rate of AU$24,653 p.a. (2013 rate). This amount is indexed annually by approximately 2-3%.
International research students
If you are an international student and receive a scholarship funded by the University of Newcastle or the Commonwealth Government, you will receive:
- An annual living allowance base rate of AU$24,653 p.a. (2013 rate). This amount is indexed annually.
- A full tuition fee scholarship of matching duration to your living allowance.
In addition, your scholarship is likely to provide a:
- Relocation allowance - AU$1,520
- Establishment allowance - AU$500
- Thesis allowance - AU$500
- Overseas student health cover
As an international student, you may receive a sponsorship from your home government, university or employer.
Sponsorships recipients must compare their funding to the amount of money provided by University of Newcastle research scholarships, as living off less than this base rate is extremely difficult. Check if your sponsorship will cover tuition fees, health cover, allowances and living costs.
Please note that the figures above under 'scholarship funding' would only support a single person and additional money will be required if you intend bringing any family members with you.
Please be aware that the University cannot provide any additional subsistence to research students who choose to come to Newcastle with insufficient funding.
To check current costs and support available for international research students, visit these sites:
Apply for a scholarship
A scholarship can be a great help during your research degree and we encourage you to apply.
Full-time research students are eligible to apply for a range of scholarships, which are awarded during one main round offer each year.
Scholarships are granted on the basis of academic merit, which includes your undergraduate grade point average and extra research attainments.
Up to three of the highest ranked domestic applicants will receive a ‘Vice Chancellor's Scholarship for Outstanding Candidates’. If you are awarded this scholarship, you receive an additional $10,000 per annum on top of the living allowance.
For more detailed information, read our guide to scholarship assessment.
What does the scholarship offer?
If you are awarded a research scholarship, you will be given a living allowance. Master's degree scholarships are for two years and PhD scholarships run for three years, less any tenure already completed towards a research degree.
The full-time rate living allowance for 2013 is:
- $24,653 per annum
Some scholarships also include other benefits including:
- Payment of tuition fees for most international scholarships
- Thesis allowance
- Relocation allowance (if required) to the value of an economy airfare
Scholarship Eligibility Criteria
To find out if you are eligible for an RHD scholarship, have a careful look at the main eligibility criteria which is set by the Commonwealth Government below:
- A current offer of admission for candidature.
- Honours Class One or equivalent. An example of equivalency is a research masters degree or two peer reviewed research publications. Equivalence may be determined by the Head of School in consultation with the Assistant Dean Research Training.
- For domestic applicants currently enrolled in an honours program, you are assumed to hold Honours Class One. Any scholarship offer is conditional upon attaining Honours Class One. If Honours Class Two is later awarded, the scholarship offer will be withdrawn.
- Candidates are normally required to be enrolled full-time. Part-time enrolment is available in exceptional circumstances, for example an illness that prevents full-time study or heavy carer responsibilities. A scholarship will not be awarded when the reason for part-time enrolment is work related. Part-time scholarships are taxable, however, the rate is currently within a tax free threshold.
- Current candidates must be no more than two full time equivalent years into their PhD (or one year for Masters) at the end of the year to be eligible for scholarship.
- Current enrolled international applicants cannot be considered again for a commonwealth funded scholarship if they were assessed for scholarship in a previous round.
- Evidence of meeting the English language proficiency level by the scholarship closing date.
How do I apply for a scholarship?
Current enrolled candidates can apply online via MyHub.
New applicants can apply for scholarship at the same time as applying for admission.
Domestic Applicants (Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents and NZ citizens)
International Students
Please apply for admission and scholarship using the paper based form - International RHD application form.You are welcome to email your application to ia@newcastle.edu.au and then post the original and certified documents to:
- International Office
University of Newcastle
H-10 Hunter Building
Callaghan NSW 2308 Australia
Completing and submitting your application
- Certified copies of all academic transcripts
- A research proposal
- Evidence of extra academic attainments e.g. publications
- If required, certified evidence of meeting the English proficiency requirement
Required documents for scholarship only applications:
- Copies of research publications, exhibitions or conference papers
- Curriculum Vitae
- Details of previous research experience e.g. research work experience / study
- Any additional documents that may add to your scholarship application e.g. evidence of the award of a University Medal
You can submit your required documents via:
- Office of Graduate Studies
The Chancellery
The University of Newcastle
Callaghan NSW 2308 Australia
- Email: researchscholarships@newcastle.edu.au
- Fax: +61 2 4921 6908
If you submit your application via email or fax, an original of your application, certified transcripts etc. must be also be posted to the University as soon as possible.
Closing dates
- Domestic applicants: 31 October each year - applications accepted until 4pm
- International applicants: 31 August each year - applications accepted until 4pm
If your application is received after the closing date, you cannot be considered for scholarships. The English proficiency requirement must be met by the closing date above to be considered for scholarship. Please also note, incomplete applications cannot be considered.
What happens next?
- Applications are assessed and ranked according to merit
- Attendance at an interview is not normally required
- Scholarship outcomes are known in December each year
Need more information?
If you require any further information, please visit our scholarships webpages.
- Phone: +61 2 4921 7486
- Email: ResearchScholarships@newcastle.edu.au
