CRICOS Provider Code 00026A

UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY – CHINA SCHOLARSHIP COUNCIL

POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIP
APPLICATION INFORMATION
悉尼大学 – 国家留学基金管理委员会 博士研究奖学金 申请准则

Introduction
The University of Sydney – China Scholarship Council (USYD-CSC) Postgraduate Research Scholarship allows
high-calibre postgraduate research students from selected universities in the People’s Republic of China to carry
out full-degree PhD studies at the University of Sydney. Postgraduate Research Scholarships of up to 48
months will be offered under this scheme. Upon successful completion of the program, students will graduate
with a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Sydney.

Scholarship Benefits
The USYD–CSC Postgraduate Research Scholarship provides the following benefits:

a. Tuition scholarship to cover tuition fees (course fees);

b. Living allowance as prescribed by the Chinese Government (currently approx. AUD $20,400 pa 1);
c. Minimum cost international airfare from China to Sydney, and return on expiry of the scholarship;
d. Cost of an Australian student visa application fee;
e. Cost of Overseas Student Health Cover for the duration of the scholarship.

The tuition scholarship is provided by the University of Sydney. Candidates should note that the Sydney Medical
School is not currently offering tuition fee scholarships under this scheme.

All other benefits are provided by the China Scholarship Council (visit the CSC website for details:
http://www.csc.edu.cn/).

Applicants should note that the scholarship does not cover compulsory subscription fees, Student Services and
Amenities (SSA) fees, student union/association membership/activity fees, or costs other than those specifically
outlined above.

Eligibility Criteria
Eligible applicants:

• must be citizens of the People’s Republic of China, and must not be currently working or studying in
Australia at the time of application;
• must not be aged over 35 years at the time of application;
• should be eligible to enter PhD studies at the University of Sydney without further preparatory study 2;
• must meet the University of Sydney’s English language proficiency requirements for admission 3, must
satisfy the Australian Government Department of Immigration and Border Protection requirements for
the issue of a student visa for postgraduate research 4;
• must complete a formal application for admission to a PhD program at the University of Sydney and
receive a Conditional or Unconditional Admission Offer;
• must be offered a tuition fee scholarship by the University of Sydney; and

1 Applicants should verify the current rate with the China Scholarship Council: http://www.csc.edu.cn/

2 University of Sydney PhD admission criteria:

http://sydney.edu.au/future_students/international_postgraduate_research/admissions/entry_requirements/academic.shtml

3 University of Sydney English language proficiency requirements:

http://sydney.edu.au/future_students/international_postgraduate_research/admissions/entry_requirements/english_language.shtml

4 Australian Government Department of Immigration and Border Protection : http://www.border.gov.au/

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 • should satisfy any additional selection criteria set out by the China Scholarship Council 5.

How to Apply
Applying for a USYD–CSC Postgraduate Research Scholarship is a three-stage process. Applicants must
complete all three stages, as follows:

(1) Application for admission to a PhD at the University of Sydney

(2) Application for a USYD Tuition Fee Scholarship
(3) Application for support from the China Scholarship Council

Stage 1: Application for admission to a PhD at the University of Sydney

Candidates must lodge an application for admission to a PhD program, following the admission procedure:

1. Read the information for Future Students on the University of Sydney website about how to apply for a
PhD:
How to apply - The University of Sydney

2. Contact a potential academic supervisor at the University of Sydney in order to discuss your research
interest. You should provide information about your academic background and your research interest.
This may be done by providing a CV, academic transcript and research proposal. You can search for a
supervisor using Research Supervisor Connect on the University of Sydney website:
Research Supervisor Connect - The University of Sydney

Special procedures for Business and Law students:

Students applying to the Sydney Business School should contact

business.pgresearch@sydney.edu.au

Students applying to the Sydney Law School should first complete an Expression of Interest:
Admission to Research Programs @ Sydney Law School - Future students - The University of Sydney

3. After you have secured a supervisor and your supervisor has approved your research proposal, you can
complete a Postgraduate Research Application. You can apply online by selecting your PhD program
at http://sydney.edu.au/courses/

The average processing time for a PhD Admission Application, once received at the University of Sydney, is six
to eight weeks. Some applications may take longer to process, particularly where documentation provided is
insufficient. Please note, an application does not guarantee admission at the University of Sydney – applicants
are competitive, and will be considered based on each applicant’s academic merit and the priorities of each
faculty or school.

A PhD Admission Application for USYD-CSC scholarship applicants must be lodged no later than 15 December
for commencement in Research Period 3 (July) the following year.

The University cannot guarantee that PhD applications lodged after 15 December will be assessed and issued
with a Conditional or Unconditional Admission offer in time for USYD tuition fee scholarship consideration.

Receipt of a Conditional or Unconditional Admission Offer to a PhD program does not automatically grant you a
tuition fee scholarship. You must apply to be considered for a USYD Tuition Fee Scholarship.

Stage 2: Application for a USYD Tuition Fee Scholarship

You must apply for a USYD Tuition Fee Scholarship by submitting an Online Application Form.

5 China Scholarship Council: http://www.csc.edu.cn/

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You can only apply for a USYD Tuition Fee Scholarship once you have received a conditional or unconditional
offer of admission to a PhD at the University of Sydney (see Stage 1: Application for admission to a PhD at
the University of Sydney)

You must submit your application for a USYD Tuition Fee Scholarship by 11.59pm AEST (8.59 pm Beijing time),
on the 15 January 2018.

An application does not guarantee a USYD Tuition Fee Scholarship – applications are competitive, and will be
considered based on each applicant’s academic merit and the priorities of the University of Sydney. Successful
applicants will receive a letter offering the USYD Tuition Fee Scholarship in March. The awarding of a USYD
Tuition Fee Scholarship will be contingent upon the applicant also receiving support from the China Scholarship
Council for living costs.

Stage 3: Application to the China Scholarship Council

Candidates must have the support of the China Scholarship Council (CSC) for living costs.

1. Complete a CSC Application Form and the necessary Employer Reference Form(s). These forms can
be obtained from the China Scholarship Council: http://www.csc.edu.cn/

2. Submit your completed CSC Application Form, a copy of your completed University of Sydney PhD
application and a copy of your USYD Tuition Fee Scholarship letter.

Refer to The China Scholarship Council’s website for the application deadline http://www.csc.edu.cn/

Application Outcome

The China Scholarship Council and the University of Sydney will collaborate to identify applicants who are
successful in receiving both scholarships. The University of Sydney will then issue a new Unconditional
Admission Offer to successful applicants. The applicant will need to accept the new admission offer in order to
receive the electronic confirmation of enrolment (eCoE) which will be required when applying for student visa.

Scholarship Conditions

The USYD–CSC Postgraduate Research Scholarship is awarded under the following conditions:

a. The scholarship may be held for up to three (3) years. This period may be extended to four (4) years in
individual cases, subject to the approval of the China Scholarship Council and the University of Sydney;
however, funding support usually does not exceed three (3) years.
b. The scholarship must commence on the date specified in the formal letter of offer, unless the University
of Sydney approves otherwise.
c. The scholarship is renewed annually on the recommendation of the Head of School/Department at the
University of Sydney, subject to the award holder’s satisfactory performance.
d. The award of a scholarship of any kind does not guarantee the award of a degree. The award holder
must demonstrate satisfactory progress, meeting all requirements for candidature and assessment, in
order to successfully complete and qualify for his or her degree.
e. The award holder may conduct up to 12 months (up to 18 months for students of anthropology and other
special cases) of his or her research in China, subject to the approval of the University of Sydney. The
award holder must remain enrolled at the University of Sydney while conducting research overseas.
f. The award holder may apply to suspend his or her scholarship in extenuating circumstances. Any such
application will be jointly considered by the China Scholarship Council and the University of Sydney.
g. The award holder may engage in part-time employment to a maximum of twenty (20) hours per week,
including work performed on evenings, weekends and holidays, subject to the terms of the award
holder’s student visa 6, and provided such employment does not interfere with the award holder’s study
and progress.

6 Visa requirements can be verified with the Department of Immigration and Border Protection: http://www.border.gov.au/

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 h. The award holder must return to China upon completion or termination of the scholarship.
i. The University of Sydney asserts certain ownership rights of intellectual property created in the course of
the scholarship, subject to the University’s Intellectual Property Rule 7.

Further Information
Faculties and schools - The University of Sydney

University of Sydney Postgraduate Research Applications

Your Enquiry - Sydney Student - The University of Sydney

TIMELINE FOR USYD–CSC POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIP APPLICANTS

University of Sydney PhD Admission Application due 15 December for July

(Research Period 3)
next year intake
USYD Tuition Fee Scholarship application opening date November for next year
intake
USYD Tuition Fee Scholarship application closing date 15 January
Outcome of USYD Tuition Fee Scholarship application End of February
China Scholarship Council application deadline (main round) March
China Scholarship Council application deadline (second round) May
Research Period 3 commences 1 July

7 University of Sydney Intellectual Property Rule: http://sydney.edu.au/policies/

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