Studentships
A Special Postgraduate Studentship provides funds to support a student enrolled in a graduate research or graduate coursework degree at the University of Melbourne. Studentship funding is provided by departments, faculties, supervisors, industry partners or anyone able to support a student.
Benefits & conditions (including payments, progress requirements and leave)
Application process (including how to apply for new studentships, completing the MSO2 form, and how to extend existing studentships)
Benefits and conditions
Payments
Payment of a Special Postgraduate Studentship can be made either as a lump-sum (NB: the MSO will not process lump sum payments of less than $500) or as an annual amount.
If a studentship is provided as a top-up to an APA, MRS, MIRS, FMS, SFS, HRS or prestigious/other major scholarship, the amount must be less than 75% of the per annum rate of their scholarship.
For example if the student is receiving an APA in 2009:
- The 2009 APA rate is $20,427
- 75% of the APA rate is $15,320.25 (=maximum value of studentship allowable)
- Total is $35,747.25
An explanation is required if the value of a Studentship exceeds the APA rate and an additional 75% of the APA rate (eg. totaling $35,747.25 in 2009). In this situation, the head of department must attach a letter of explanation to the MSO2 Special Postgraduate Studentship form (new online writable PDF form.)
Payments are made fortnightly into the student's bank account. Please view the pay dates for each pay period.
The Melbourne School of Graduate Research (MSGR) will advise the Melbourne Scholarships Office (MSO) of any PhD, MPhil, MSc, MOptom and MIS students who have not provided satisfactory progress reports. Studentship payments will not be renewed until the student has provided a satisfactory report to MSGR.
Studentships lapse if the recipient is not enrolled as a graduate research or graduate coursework student at the University. It is not normally possible to reinstate a lapsed award.
Any course suspensions and periods of leave away from the University must be arranged in advance. The minimum period of leave of absence a Studentship recipient may apply for is 2 weeks.
PhD, MPhil, MSc, MOptom and MIS Studentship recipients must apply for leave from their course on the form available from MSGR or the MSO. There are two types of leave form - one for local students and one for international students)
All other Studentship recipients must complete the MSO leave form and also apply for leave of absence from their course at their faculty office.
Eligibility criteria
All students enrolled in a graduate research or graduate coursework degree at the University of Melbourne are eligible to receive a studentship. Suitability is discussed with the department/funding body intending to fund the student.
Application process
Applying for a new studentship
One of three payment methods can be used to pay a Studentship.
- A lump sum (one-off) payment eg. $2,000
- An annual amount eg. $18,000 per annum from 1/1/09 to 31/12/11 (3 years)
- An amount for a specific period eg. $4,500 paid over 3 months.
Please note that Method 3 requires an annual amount to be calculated for payments to be made. The MSO is required to calculate the annual amount using a formula from HR. Therefore, if you know the annual amount please choose Method 2.
How to complete the payment method section on a MSO2 form
This section of the MSO2 Special Postgraduate Studentship form should be completed by the department. First decide which payment method best suits the department and the student. Then complete one of the following methods and actions.
If choosing Method 1:
- Place a tick in the first box (lump-sum)
- Enter the lump sum amount in the box
- Enter the name of the organisation/fund or donor, and
- Enter the correct Themis account string/s with percentages.
NB: Please note that the MSO can not process a retrospective lump sum payment beyond the last HECS Census Date.
If choosing Method 2:
- Place a tick in the second box (annual amount)
- Enter the annual amount in the box
- If the annual amount is to be set at the APA or MRS rates use the Yes/No tick boxes to indicated whether you wish this rate to be indexed annually in line with the APA or MRS (NB: The rate will increase on January 1st of each year in line with the increases for APA and MRS rates)
- Enter the Studentship commencement date and Studentship end date
- Enter the name of the organisation/fund or donor, and
- Enter the correct Themis account string/s with percentages.
If choosing Method 3:
- Place a tick in the third box (amount to be paid for specific period)
- Enter the total amount to be paid to the student for the specific period in the box - this figure should be the total amount of funding to be paid to the student and should not be written as $X per fortnight/month.
- Enter the Studentship commencement date and Studentship end date
- Enter the Name of the organisation/fund or donor, and
- Enter the correct Themis account string/s with percentages.
Remember if an incomplete or incorrect Themis account string is provided payment will not be made. Please check with your Departmental Accounting Officer (DAO) if you have any questions on the Themis account string.
Payments will only commence once the following has been completed and/or submitted to the MSO:
- student has a confirmed enrolment at the University of Melbourne;
- student has submitted a completed MSO10 Banking Details form;
- department has submitted a completed MSO2 Special Postgraduate Studentship form (all sections including the correct THEMIS account string must be completed);
- department has provided supporting documents if the value of a Studentship exceeds the APA rate plus 75% of the APA rate; and
- student, if enrolled part-time, has completed a Tax File Number Declaration form. Students enrolled part-time need to complete a Tax File Number Declaration form as part-time scholarships are not tax-exempt. This form can be obtained from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), selected newsagents or the MSO. Please contact the ATO with any questions you may have with completing this form.
All of these forms are available from the MSO and on the Graduate Research Scholarships website.
Applying for an extension of a studentship
The award of studentships, like all scholarships, is subject to satisfactory academic progress.
To extend a studentship the Head of Department must complete a MSO6 Extension of Studentship Form with the correct Themis account details and forward it to the MSO. Please view the pay dates for the cut off date for payments.
Please note: students wishing to extend a studentship must ensure they have a sufficient period of candidature remaining. If not, they must apply for the necessary extension of candidature (with the Melbourne School of Graduate Research or the relevant Faculty/Graduate School office) as the MSO can not extend a scholarship/studentship beyond the candidature end date.
Closing date & timelines
Please refer to the pay dates for the cut-off date for each pay period. This will indicate when the necessary forms should be submitted to the MSO to ensure the student is paid on time.
For further information
Please contact the Melbourne Scholarships Office on 03 8344 8747 or via www.postgradschols.unimelb.edu.au/query.