Tips for success
Below are some tips to help you submit your best application for scholarship.
RANKING PROCESS
Selection of applicants for the award of a research degree scholarship involves consideration of a range of selection criteria, with applicants ranked in an order of merit taking into consideration the following:
- Academic merit, with emphasis on the grades that you achieved in your qualification that includes a substantial research component, but also taking into account the grades of any other eligible qualification completed
- The international standing of the institution where your qualification with the substantial research component was completed
- Your research background, including: the quality of and your contribution to any eligible research outputs; and the level and duration of any prior research work experience that demonstrates your research capacity with regard to the proposed research topic.
- The compatibility/fit of the proposed research with university/academic group research priorities
- The compatibility/fit between you, the research environment, and supervision.
You should ensure that all relevant information is included in your application so that it can be taken into consideration in the ranking process.
Provide evidence of ELP
In order for your application to be considered for scholarship, you must be able to provide evidence of meeting the University’s English language proficiency requirements when you lodge your application. Applications that do not provide this evidence will not go forward for scholarship consideration.
You can check the English language requirements on the applicable PhD or research program page on the University’s Degree and Career Finder.
Get in touch early with your supervisor
Once you have identified supervisors whose research intersects with your proposed research topic, it is important to contact them to explain your topic and academic background to work out if there will likely be a good supervisory ‘fit’. It will also be useful to seek your proposed supervisor’s input and advice on your research proposal – as such, we advise that you get in touch with potential supervisors well in advance of the scholarship round closing date.
Provide details of your academic qualifications
The ‘Academic Merit’ ranking criteria take into account your results attained in the qualification with the substantial research component and the grades of any other eligible qualifications. As such, it is important to provide clear, certified copies of your academic transcripts and testamurs for all relevant degrees undertaken, as well as certified translations of these documents if they are in a language other than English. It is also vital that you provide the grading scale used for that qualification – this is often on the transcript.
Your grades for your qualification with the major research component are normally the major contributing element towards your ranking on the scholarship order of merit. Your overall Grade Point Average (GPA) for the degree with the research component will contribute towards your ranking, as will the specific grade/s for your thesis. This qualification might be your Australian Bachelor Honours Degree, Masters Degree or international qualification that has been assessed by the University as comparable to these aforementioned Australian degrees. Please note that if your thesis has been assessed with a pass grade in a ‘pass/fail’ grading system, you will also be expected to provide examiners reports (in English) and/or a copy of thesis as part of your application.
It is expected that the research component is at least one full-time semester of research, culminating in the completion of a thesis/dissertation (individually undertaken) that has been formally examined. If your qualification contains a lesser research component than required, you would be expected to provide evidence of a significant, high quality publication/outputs record and/or sustained research experience to be competitive for scholarship consideration.
Follow our CV template
The curriculum vitae ( C.V. ) you include in your application is the primary reference point for evidence of your research background, including: any research outputs (e.g. peer-reviewed journal articles/conference proceedings or creative works with a major research component); sustained or industry research experience; and awards and prizes relevant to your application.
If you want to use evidence of your research or industry background towards scholarship consideration, you MUST follow the template set out in this example C.V. to provide this information.
Please note that, through the ranking process, your opportunity to publish is also taken into account (e.g. an applicant with a recent Australian class 1 honours degree would not normally be expected to have a significant publication record).
If you do not meet the qualification requirement for scholarship consideration you MUST follow the template set out in this example C.V. to provide evidence of your additional achievements and capability. You may also need to complete an equivalency case statement and provide it with your application. Refer to the Equivalent Qualifications for HDR Program Admission webpage for further information.
Contact your referees in advance
Choose your referees in support of your application carefully and contact them in advance to let them know that they will likely receive an email from Griffith University, asking that they complete the referee report within the given timeframe.
You will need to ensure you have approval from your referees before include their names on your application. Your referees will need to be in a position to comment on your research capability.
Make sure your application is complete
Applications that are submitted without all the required documentation required cannot progress to being considered for scholarship until all required information is received by the Griffith Graduate Research School. Using a checklist will help you to make sure you have all that you need to apply.