Sir Arthur Sims Travelling Scholarship
The Sir Arthur Sims Travelling Scholarship enables graduates of Australian universities to undertake graduate study or research in Great Britain (ie. England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.) The scholarship is funded through the Sir Arthur Sims Travelling Scholarship Fund. Applicants should intend to commence their study/research in Great Britain within 16 months of the application closing date.
Application process (including required documents)
Number
The scholarship is awarded as funds permit.
Benefits and conditions
The scholarship is valued at ~ $20,000 per annum.
The value of the Sir Arthur Sims Travelling Scholarship may be adjusted if the recipient receives another scholarship for the course/research to be undertaken in the United Kingdom.
The scholarship is awarded for a minimum of one, and a maximum of three, years.
Eligibility criteria
The scholarship is open to graduates of Australian universities who can demonstrate outstanding academic merit and promise.
Applicants need to have been born in Australia or have parents who have been Australian residents for seven years or more, with their period of residence commencing within three years of the birth of the applicant.
Applicants must be planning to undertake graduate study or research in Great Britain. Evidence of acceptance into a graduate course, a formal research arrangement, or written communication with the course co-ordinator or supervisor (for eg. via email) must accompany the scholarship application.
Applicants cannot apply for the Sir Arthur Sims Travelling Scholarship for study/research which has already commenced or has been completed. The scholarship will not be awarded retrospectively.
Applicants who already hold a qualification at the same or higher level as the course for which a scholarship is sought are ineligible.
The study or research can form part of a University of Melbourne graduate course or result in a degree from Great Britain. Applicants who wish to credit their studies/research in Great Britain toward a University of Melbourne course must obtain approval from their faculty.
Previous recipients (ie. payments of entitlements have been received) cannot re-apply for this scholarship.
Applicants (who are enrolled at the University of Melbourne) will be expected to complete their University of Melbourne qualifications before commencing an overseas qualification. The only exception applies to those applicants for whom their overseas studies will form part of their University of Melbourne qualification.
Selection criteria
The scholarship is awarded on the basis of:
- Academic achievements
- Extra-curricular activities and personal qualities
- Financial position
- Meeting the criteria noted in 'Eligibility'.
Selection will be managed by the Graduate Research Scholarships Committee (GRSC). The Committee will request an interview with the short-listed applicants. It is anticipated that interviews will be held in early- to mid-August.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply for other scholarships to support their overseas studies/research. Scholarship information can be obtained from JASON, the British Council, the Association of Commonwealth Universities website and the institution at which the studies will be undertaken. Applicants intending to undertake a research higher degree are advised to apply for the Overseas Research Students Awards Scheme.
top of pageApplication process
Please note: the Sir Arthur Sims Travelling Scholarship is not open for application in 2008. It is anticipated that the scholarship will next be awarded in 2009. Interested applicants are advised to visit this page in April 2009 for updated information and application forms. For information only, you may download the Application Form, Estimated Budget, Referee Report Form and Guidelines. Applicants are advised to read the Guidelines before submitting an application.
Applicants can only be considered if they meet the eligibility requirements stated above, and if the required documents are submitted with the application by the closing date. It is suggested that applicants keep a copy of their application for future reference.
Required documents
The following documents must be submitted with the application form.
- Official transcript/s of all tertiary study undertaken to date, demonstrating that the applicant is a graduate of an Australian university. The transcript/s should include a results key ie. an explanation of the university's grading system.
- Documents which verify that the applicant was born in Australia, or that his/her parents have been Australian residents for seven years or more, with their period of residence commencing within three years of the applicant's birth.
- A resume which provides a list of qualifications undertaken, academic prizes, relevant work experience and extra-curricular activities, including any involvement in community activities.
- A written statement of the proposed study or research (two pages maximum).
- Evidence of acceptance into a graduate course or research program at a tertiary institution in Great Britain, or a formal research agreement, or written communication with the course co-ordinator or supervisor (eg. by email).
- A completed Estimated Budget form (see above), which accompanies the application form. The budget information should include estimates of the cost of flights, living expenses and university fees.
- Two academic references (on the referee form provided) and one personal reference (in free format). The references should be marked 'confidential' and sent directly by the referees to Lydia Firanyi in the Melbourne Scholarships Office, Level 3, John Smyth Building, University of Melbourne, 3010. Senior academic staff members who are familiar with your most recent academic work and achievements should provide the academic references. The personal reference should comment on your extra-curricular activities and personal qualities.
Application outcome
Applicants will be advised by early August if they have been short-listed for an interview. Short-listed applicants will receive written notification of their success or otherwise by late August.
Closing date and timelines
30 June (or the next working day if this date falls on a weekend). Late applications will not be accepted.
For further information
Please contact the Graduate Research Scholarships Team on 03 8344 8747 or via www.postgradschols.unimelb.edu.au/query