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Australia Pakistan Scholarships Program (APSP)
PhD Level Scholarships
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for both an APSP Scholarship and an Endeavour scholarship?
An applicant is eligible to apply for other scholarships, even if they have applied for an APSP scholarship. However, award holders are not permitted to hold any other Australian Government sponsored scholarship for the duration of the APSP Scholarship. For example, though an applicant may apply for both the APSP Scholarships and an Endeavour scholarship they may only accept one.
Can I apply if I'm still an undergraduate?
To be eligible for an APSP Scholarship, you must already have completed a Master degree and have obtained an offer of admission to a doctoral course in an Australian higher education institution, therefore undergraduates are not eligible.
Can I apply if I'm an intending migrant or have permanent residency?
AusAID scholarships are not available to intending migrants or those who have Australian Permanent Residence. They are intended for people who will return to their home countries on completion of their studies in Australia. Intending migrants should not apply.
Is it compulsory to have undertaken an IELTS exam?
Yes. All APSP Scholarships applicants must include the results of their English language proficiency test with their application. Test results must be no more than two years previous to application date and you must have an overall IELTS score of at least 6.5 with no band below 6, or equivalent. There are no exemptions.
What is a “current” IELTS score?
A test result obtained anytime after November 2006 will be considered current.
Can applicants send in IELTS results after the closing date for applications?
No. IELTS results should be attached to the Application Form which must be received by AusAID by the deadline (c.o.b on 28 July 2008).
Can applicants send TOEFL scores instead of IELTS?
No. Australian visa requirements do not accept TOEFL scores for Australian visa purposes.
Are applicants who hold a foreign degree exempt from submitting a current IELTS score?
No. Applicants with foreign degrees from an English speaking country (e.g. UK, US or Canada) are still required to submit a current IELTS score.
Do applicants still need to submit a current IELTS score if their medium of instruction has been English throughout their academic career?
Yes. A current IELTS score must be submitted even if the medium of instruction has been English throughout an applicant’s academic career.
Should applicants apply directly to Australian universities to seek admission?
Yes. It is the responsibility of each applicant to conduct the necessary research into available courses, contact the Admissions staff in Australian higher education institutions and make arrangements for an offer of enrolment letter to be issued. Applicants must ensure that, when applying to an institution for an offer letter, they advise admissions staff of their intention to apply for an APSP Scholarship. This will assist the institution to complete all requirements to assess your request and make a timely offer.
Can I apply if I have a conditional offer letter?
Applicants for APSP PhD Scholarships must provide evidence of an unconditional offer of enrolment in an appropriate course at an eligible Australian higher education institution for full time studies commencing in Australia in 2009. Study by distance or external mode is not allowed under APSP Scholarships. Offers that include conditions relating to meeting additional English language proficiency or any other conditions will not be accepted by the APSP Scholarships program. Applicants presenting a conditional offer letter will be deemed ineligible.
Can I apply to more than one institution for admission?
Yes. It is recommended that APSP Scholarships applicants apply to more than one institution for a place. However, if you are successful in gaining more than one offer, you should present only the offer letter for your preferred course with your APSP Scholarship application.
Can applicants apply for a Masters leading to a PhD?
No. The awards are for Doctorate-level study only.
What is the duration of a PhD program?
A PhD program under the APSP is defined as being 3 to 4 years in duration.
Can an applicant submit more than one application per intake?
No. AusAID accepts only one application per candidate for each intake. Duplicate applications will not be accepted and may lead to disqualification.
Can the priority field of study be amended after the application has been submitted to AusAID?
Changes to the candidates nominated priority area of study after receipt of the application are not permitted.
Is deferral of the scholarship award allowed?
No. However in exceptional circumstances (e.g pregnancy, delayed visa processing ) and if appropriate AusAID may on a case by case basis consider a deferral for maximum period of up to 6 months. Detailed and attested documentation for deferral cases is required.
Is four years work experience mandatory?
Yes. Four years experience is the minimum requirement to be eligible for the APSP. Internships, articleships and house jobs do not count towards work experience.
Are provisional educational degrees acceptable to fulfil the “16 years education” eligibility criterion?
No. AusAID will only accept final transcripts and educational degrees from accredited educational institutions. Any educational degrees obtained after the deadline for receipt of applications (i.e. 28 July 2008) will not be accepted.
What are the APSP entitlements?
The following entitlements apply to all applicants:
Tuition Fees
Payment of full academic fees and other fees that are compulsory for all international students undertaking the same course.
Introductory Academic Program (IAP)
The provision of a 4-6 week Introductory Academic Program prior to the commencement of studies.
Travel
Payment of a single return, economy class airfare to and from Australia, via the most direct route.
Establishment Allowance of
A$5,000
A contribution towards expenses such as rental bonds, text books, study materials, additional medical insurance, home contents insurance, excess baggage upon return home etc.
Contribution to Living Expenses (also referred to as a Stipend)
A fortnightly Contribution to Living Expenses (CLE) paid at a rate determined by AusAID.
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
OSHC will be provided for the Student, covering the Student’s basic medical costs. Students may purchase, at their own expense, additional medical insurance to cover ancillary services such as dentist, orthodontist and optometrist.
If applicable:
Pre-Course English (PCE)
In Australia, PCE may be provided for up to a maximum of six months, if deemed necessary by the Institution.
Supplementary Academic Support (also referred to as Tutorial Assistance)
Provided when essential to improving a Student’s performance to ensure their academic success.
Reunion Airfare
Eligibility for a reunion economy class airfare is dependent on whether or not family members accompany the student to Australia.
Fieldwork
One only return economy class airfare via the most direct route may be approved for eligible research Students to their country of citizenship or within Australia.
The Student should contact the Student Contact Officer at their Institution to gain more information about schooling and child care for dependants.
What are the APSP conditions?
APSP holders must:
a. take up the APSP in the academic year for which it is offered; study full time and achieve satisfactory academic progress in the program for which the APSP was offered;
b. only undertake the approved program for which the APSP is offered and abide by the rules of the Institution;
c. not hold another Australian Government scholarship;
d. reside in Australia for the duration of the APSP (apart from reunion and fieldwork visits to the home country);
e. advise AusAID immediately, via the Student Contact Officer at the Institution, should they marry a person who is an Australian citizen, or has permanent residence status in Australia, a New Zealand citizen or has New Zealand citizenship;
f. liaise with the Student Contact Officer at the Institution regarding any changes to the approved program and acknowledge that approval is required from the
Institution, AusAID and Partner Government (if applicable) before any changes are made;
g. agree to AusAID collecting information and to passing that information on to other relevant parties concerning the Student or dependants, if necessary;
h. participate in the Pre-Departure Briefing arranged by the Post, and the Institution’s compulsory Introductory Academic Program (IAP) on arrival in Australia;
i. participate in all activities associated with the course of study, including all lectures and tutorials, submit all work required for the course e.g. assignments, essays and sit for examinations;
j. be aware that the ADS may be terminated at any time for failure to comply with
the laws of Australia, misconduct, breaches of the conditions of the APSP, or for failure to make satisfactory academic progress; and
k. return to their country of citizenship for two years upon the completion of their course of study in Australia. A debt to the Commonwealth of Australia, for the
total cost of the APSP, will be incurred if Students fail to return to their home country, or if they apply for Permanent Residence or a visa to return to Australia within the two year period.
Do applicants need to submit a research proposal with the application?
All PhD applicants MUST attach an outline of the proposed research project (up to 1,000 words) to each application form. Details are provided on page 7 of the Application Form. PhD applications received without such an outline will be considered invalid.
Are research applicants allowed to undertake fieldwork?
Students enrolled in a PhD program may be funded by AusAID to undertake fieldwork in their home country or within Australia. These details are provided to the student by the Institution at the time an offer is made.
Do public sector applicants need to submit a No Objection Certificate ( NOC)?
Public sector applicants are not required to submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC) at the time of application. However, they need to ensure that the “Employer and Nominating Authority Statement” on page 10 of the form is fully completed and signed by their immediate supervisor or head of the organisation.
Public sector applicants will be asked to submit an NOC for visa purposes if they are short listed for selection for the APSP.
Are applicants allowed to take their families with them to Australia on APSP scholarships?
Yes. Candidates must indicate in the application form if they intend to take their family with them to Australia. Applicants should note that the Australian Government does not provide any additional financial support for the dependents (spouse and children under 18) of APSP students. Under Australian visa requirements parents, parents-in-law or siblings of an applicant are not considered dependents and can not accompany the scholarship recipients to Australia for the duration of their scholarship award.
Students must contact the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) directly to ascertain the current requirements for family entry. Please refer to the DIAC website: http://www.immi.gov.au for details.
What does the student visa process entail?
Please refer to the DIAC website http://www.immi.gov.au/students/students/576-2/index.htm for AusAID Sponsored Sector: Temporary Visa (Subclass 576) - Assessment Level 2 for student visa requirements.