Postgraduate Research Opportunites

Hi!

Applications are welcome from students interested in postgraduate degrees in either Masters of Science Honours (MSc(Hons)) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in the Marine Ecology Group at Macquarie University. MSc degrees take two years and include coursework and a major research project whereas PhD degrees takes up to four years and are research only at Macquarie University. If you are unsure which postgraduate degree is appropriate for you, please visit: http://www.bio.mq.edu.au/pgrad/index.html.

An Honours degree of Master of Science (MSc(Hons)) at Macquarie University consists of a six-month study period followed by a research section. You can enter this degree immediately after undergraduate study. In the study period you will write a literature review and complete an advanced undergraduate or postgraduate coursework unit. Once you have been approved by a panel, you enter the research section that consists of experimental work for up to 15 months. The research in the MSc(Hons) degree is of a similar caliber to a PhD but of shorter duration. For more information on this degree, please visit: http://www.bio.mq.edu.au/pgrad/mphil.html.

A PhD consists of an original body of research of sufficient calibre to make a significant impact in that particular area of science. You must have a good Honours or Masters (Honours) degree to be eligible for this degree. PhDs are fee-exempt at Macquarie University for local students. Please visit: http://www.bio.mq.edu.au/pgrad/training.html for more information.

I’ve listed the major opportunities for financial support by both the Australian Government and Macquarie University, but the opportunities don’t stop there. For information on these and other scholarships, please visit: http://www.research.mq.edu.au/students/scholarships.

If you are not from Australia and wish to study here, Macquarie University has specific programs with other countries as well as international student scholarships. To find out more about this, please visit: http://www.research.mq.edu.au/students/scholarships. It’s also worth asking your current institution if they have any financial support for overseas research. For information on life at Macquarie University in general, please visit: http://www.international.mq.edu.au/.

Feel free to contact me for further information.
See you soon!

Jane Williamson

Financial Support

Australian Postgraduate Awards (APAs)

APAs are awards on offer each year by the Australian Government. These are for full time study towards a postgraduate degree by research. Awards are initially given for 12 months, then renewed annually subject to satisfactory progress, with a maximum tenure for award of two years for a Masters and 3 years for a PhD degree. From January 2004 the full-time base rate stipend level is $18,484 per annum and is currently tax-free (part-time: $9,906 pa taxable).

Australian Postgraduate Awards (Industry) Scheme

APA(I)s are awards won by Macquarie University in conjunction with an industry partner and fund Masters or PhDs at the priority stipend rate. The 2003 stipend rate was $23,294 per annum and are currently tax-free for full time and $12,650 per annum taxable for part time. Both are indexed to increase annually.

Endeavour International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (E-IPRS)

These are awards for non-Australasian citizens or permanent residents. They are very competitive and only cover tuition fees and health insurance premiums. Awards are granted for a period of two years for a Masters and three years for a PhD.

Research Awards for Areas and Centres of Excellence (RAACE)

RAACE are awarded by Macquarie University to PhD candidates with exceptional research promise (local students only). The conditions are similar to APAs but the proposed research must reflect an area of research excellence as nominated by Macquarie University, listed in http://www.research.mq.edu.au/students/scholarships.

Macquarie University Postgraduate Research Awards (MUPGRAs)

These are Macquarie University funded awards similar to APAs and can be held for any higher degree in any area of research at Macquarie. Local students only.

International Macquarie University Research Scholarships (iMURS)

These awards are open to postgraduate students who wish to study in one of Macquarie’s Areas of Excellence, as listed in http://www.research.mq.edu.au/students/scholarships. The conditions are equivalent to RAACE but for international students.