Human Rights Scholarship (HRS)
The Human Rights Scholarship is awarded to applicants wishing to undertake graduate research or graduate coursework studies at the University in the human rights field and who are able to demonstrate their commitment to the peaceful advancement of respect for human rights.
Application procedure (including required documents)
Number
Each year the University of Melbourne offers 2 HRSs to applicants commencing either a graduate research or graduate coursework degree.
Benefits & conditions
Human Rights Scholarship benefits are similar to those provided by the Melbourne Research Scholarship (MRS) and Fay Marles Scholarship (FMS) and include a:
- Living allowance of $22,000 per annum (2008 rate) for those students enrolled full-time in a graduate research degree. Students enrolled in a graduate coursework degree will be paid pro-rata based on the number of points undertaken each semester
- Relocation Grant of $2,500 to eligible recipients who are moving from interstate or overseas in order to study at the University of Melbourne. HRS recipients may also be eligible to claim (upon application and presentation of receipts) a Relocation Allowance for specific relocation expenses, and
- Thesis Allowance of up to $420 (2008 rate) for masters by research and up to $840 (2008 rate) for PhD and other doctorate by research candidates.
Fees
Please note that the HRS does not cover course/tuition or HECS fees for local or international coursework programs or international graduate research degree course fees.
Local graduate research degree HRS recipients are not charged course fees as they are allocated a Research Training Scheme (RTS) place. RTS places exempt students from the Higher Education Contribution (HECS) Scheme. Time limits and other conditions apply to RTS places. For further information please contact the Melbourne School of Graduate Research (PhD, MSc, MPhil, MIS and MOptom students) or your faculty office (all other students).
Conditions
Please use the following links for information about the HRS conditions (including progress requirements for HRS recipients); duration of awards and commencement.
Eligibility criteria
1. Applicants for the HRS must be able to demonstrate that their commitment to the peaceful advancement of respect for human rights extends beyond their academic studies (such as voluntary work and/or work experience).
2. A high H2A (ie. 78-79% and above) is the minimum grade average usually required to be competitive for an HRS.
3. Applicants must be planning to commence or be currently enrolled in a postgraduate diploma*, masters by coursework, doctorate by coursework or graduate research degree in the human rights field at the University of Melbourne.
*HRSs cannot be awarded to support studies toward a graduate diploma or postgraduate certificate.
4. International students must have an unconditional course offer at the University of Melbourne for the course for which they seek the support of a HRS. See below for local and international HRS application procedures.
5. Applicants seeking a HRS to undertake a:
- coursework program (eg. postgraduate diploma, masters by coursework) must meet the normal academic requirements for the course.
- graduate research degree must normally meet the academic requirements that apply to the Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) or Melbourne Research Scholarship (MRS). Click here for further details about APA/MRS Eligibility.
6. HRSs are not awarded to applicants who:
- cannot provide evidence that their demonstrated commitment to human rights extends beyond their academic studies
- have already completed a course deemed to be at the same, or higher, level for which they are seeking scholarship support
- as a result of previous candidature and/or prior scholarship, have a maximum tenure of less than 12 months
- have previously received an MRS, FMS or PES, or
- have already been awarded or later receive another equivalent award, scholarship or salary for the studies for which they seek a HRS. An "equivalent" award is regarded as one greater than 75% of the base HRS rate (75% of the base 2008 HRS rate = $16,500).
Selection criteria
Selection of the HRS is based on four main criteria: area of study, evidence of commitment to human rights over a period of time, academic merit and strength of supporting documentation.
Application procedure (including required documents)
Local applicants
Local students wishing to apply for the HRS must:
- complete and submit to the Graduate Research Scholarships Team by 31 October three (3) complete sets (one original or certified and two copies) of the documents listed on the document checklist and the additional documents listed below.
- apply for scholarship online using SCHOLS. In exceptional circumstances a scholarship application form may be obtained by contacting the Graduate Research Scholarships Team.
International students wishing to apply for the HRS must:
- apply for admission (if not already currently enrolled in the course for which you seek an HRS) and have an unconditional offer of admission for which the scholarship is sought by Tuesday 6 January 2009. The Application for Admission as an International Graduate Student is available from International Admissions or online at www.unimelb.edu.au/admissions/. This form must be submitted to International Admissions as soon as possible.
- complete the 2009 International HRS Application Form (PDF: 50 kb)
- submit three (3) sets (one original and two copies) of the International HRS Application Form and required documents listed below to the Graduate Research Scholarships Office by 31 October.
5.1. A clear statement (maximum of one page) outlining how your intended studies relate to the human rights field and will further your understanding of human rights.
5.2. A statement (maximum of one page) that demonstrates (by noting activities you have been engaged in) your commitment, over a period of time, to the peaceful advancement of respect for human rights.
5.3 A reference that comments on your involvement in human rights. Your referee may, for example, work for a human rights organisation. Your referee is asked to provide their contact details.
5.4 Any other letters of recommendation or support you wish to provide that are relevant to your application (optional).
5.5 The relevant page from your faculty handbook that outlines the minimum entry requirements for the course for which you are seeking a HRS (coursework applicants only; this is only required from applicants who have not yet commenced the course for which an HRS is sought).
Application outcome
Applicants are able to view the progress of their application.
The HRS selection meeting will take place in late January. Applicants will be advised via standard mail and SCHOLS by the end of January of the outcome of their HRS application.
Closing date & timelines
31 October (or the next working day if 31 October falls on a weekend). We are unable to consider late or incomplete applications.
Scholarship assessment timelines for local and international students can also be viewed.
For further information
Please contact the Graduate Research Scholarships Team on 03 8344 8747 or via www.postgradschols.unimelb.edu.au/query.