Frequently asked questions

These questions are frequently asked when applying for a research higher degree at UQ.

How much will it cost?

Tuition Fees

Domestic students are not required to pay tuition fees during their research higher degree (RHD). The Australian Government provides funding to all Australian universities through the Research Training Scheme to cover the cost of RHD training places.

International students are required to pay tuition fees for their RHD. Fees are paid each semester and vary according to the School/Institute you enrol through and your research project.  International students pay a flat fee per semester.  The international RHD fees differ depending on your area of research and study mode.

When should you start?

Students should negotiate a suitable start date with their advisors. As students have a set duration to complete the program, it is advisable to commence as early as possible in a semester to maximise the time available to work in the semester.

International students who need to pay tuition fees are advised that 50% tuition fee will be payable if commencing between 1 May 2011 and 30 June 2011 for Semester 1; and 1 October 2011 and 30 November 2011 for Semester 2.  

Living Costs

The cost of living in Brisbane varies according to your lifestyle and requirements. It is estimated that students require a minimum of AUD$22,500 per annum for essential living expenses. More funds are needed for things such as textbooks, medical expenses, recreational and sight-seeing costs, or the option of buying a car. Part-time work can assist with financial needs but should not be relied upon to cover full living expenses.

Information about scholarships at UQ

Research Costs

The School/Institute you enrol through at UQ is responsible for meeting all ‘direct research costs’ that are necessary to undertake your RHD project. This includes:

  • access to resources or facilities at UQ or other organisations in Australia or overseas;
  • travel to complete fieldwork, collect data, or to visit libraries or other repositories;
  • training in techniques; and
  • necessary coursework undertaken outside the School/Institute.

Funding is available if you would like to undertake supplementary research that is not essential to your project but will enhance your research experience at UQ.

Useful links

Find out more about Brisbane

Brisbane is Australia's fastest growing capital city with a population of more than 1.8 million, contributing to more than 40% of Queensland's 4.4 million residents.  Brisbane's inner city is characterised by the Brisbane River, extensive parklands, museums, art galleries, casino, shopping malls, and a plethora of cosmopolitan restaurants and cafes.  In close proximity to Brisbane are the pristine beaches of the Sunshine Coast (north) and Gold Coast (south), along with National Parks, rainforests and world famous attractions such as Australia Zoo.  Stradbroke, Moreton and Fraser islands are all close to Brisbane and boast some of the largest sand dunes in the world.

Do I need Overseas Health Cover (OSHC)?

If you are an international student wanting to study at UQ, it is a condition of your student visa that you have OSHC for the duration of your Student Visa in Australia. The University of Queensland can arrange OSHC on your behalf through our preferred provider OSHC Worldcare Product at Allianz Global Assistance.
 
Students who purchase their OSHC through Worldcare, are covered under the OSHC Worldcare Essentials Cover. This is an arrangement that is only available through the University and it provides students with benefits above the minimum cover required by the Australian Government.
 

The current prices are as follows:

PhD (51 months)

Single Premium: $2159

Dual Family Premium: $5433

Multi Family Premium: $7062

 

MPhil (27 months)

Single Premium: $989

Dual Family Premium: $2472

Multi Family Premium: $3214

 

OSHC coverage, including out of hospital and in hospital medical services, are detailed in the policy document. However it is important to understand that for non-emergency hospital care, including maternity (pregnancy) services, access to some medical services in some public hospitals may be limited. This means that public hospital services for non-emergency care, including maternity (pregnancy) services, may not be available to you when you need them.

In these instances, you may be required to access medical services through a private hospital. Private hospital health care will typically incur some out of pocket costs that are not covered by your Overseas Student Health Cover policy and will be your responsibility. Please note that for maternity (pregnancy) services, these out of pocket costs could range from $4,000 to $10,000, depending on the level of maternity service/care provided. Therefore, if you, or your partner, are considering falling pregnant whilst studying in Australia, it is recommended that you discuss this further with your GP and OSHC health provider to look at the services available and the anticipated costs involved.
 
Further information regarding OSHC is available here.

Am I a domestic or international student?

 
Domestic students are citizens and permanent residents of Australia or New Zealand.
 
International students are all applicants that do not fit the above criteria.  International students require a student visa to undertake their research higher degree in Australia.

What are the English language proficiency requirements?

Students must demonstrate that their current level of English language proficiency meets the University's English language requirements. 
 
For entry into an RHD program, students must provide evidence that they have either: 
  • been a resident in a country for 10 years or more where English is the principal language, or can provide evidence of work in an English speaking professional environment for a sustained period; or
  • completed study for two years, in the five years prior to commencement at UQ, in a recognised degree program at an accredited university where English is the primary language of instruction and assessment; or
  • achieved the following scores in English tests recognised by the University:
 
For commencement in 2012:

Test Minimum Overall Score Minimum Writing Score/TWE/ Essay Rating
IELTS (International English Language Testing Service) 6.5* 6.0* (academic module)
TOEFL (Computerised Test of English as a Foreign Language) 237 4.5
TOEFL (Paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language) 570 5.0
TOEFL (Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language) 90 21

* Research Higher Degree in the Health Sciences where research is undertaken in a clinical placement setting: IELTS only with overall band score of 7, with a score of 7 in each sub-band of listening, reading, writing and speaking.

Test results are valid for two years from the date of the test, and must be valid upon commencement at UQ. Institutional test results are unacceptable for entry.
 
 
For commencement in 2013:
Test
Minimum Overall Score
Minimum Additional Scores
IELTS (International English Language Testing Service)
6.5*
6.0* in every sub-band (academic module)
TOEFL (Paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language)
570
5.0 in TWE (written), and 54 in reading & listening
TOEFL (Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language) 
90
21 in written, 20 in reading, listening & speaking
 
* Research Higher Degree in the Health Sciences where research is undertaken in a clinical placement setting: IELTS only with overall band score of 7, with a score of 7 in each sub-band of listening, reading, writing and speaking.

Test results are valid for two years from the date of the test, and must be valid upon commencement at UQ. Institutional test results are unacceptable for entry.
 
Improving English language skills

Students wishing to improve their English language skills can undertake intensive English language and communication training prior to commencing their RHD program at UQ’s Institute of Continuing & TESOL Education (ICTE-UQ). For more information, see English language studies. UQ offers an English Language Scholarship (ELS) program to prospective international students who are applying to study for a research higher degree at UQ.

What is a certified document?

What is a certified document?

A certified document is a copy of an original document that has been signed by a person officially authorised to confirm that it is a true and correct duplicate.

Why do I need to submit certified documents?

When you submit documents to the University of Queensland, they become the property of UQ and will not be returned. Therefore, you should never submit an original document, please only send certified copies.

How do I get a document certified?

You will need to take both the original documents, and clear and recognisable copies of these documents, to a representative who is authorised to certify them. The process that will then take place includes:
 
1. The authorised person sights both the original, and the copy of the original, to ensure both are identical;
 
2. The authorised person will then write on, or stamp, each copy a confirmation such as ‘This is a true and correct copy of the original document I have sighted’ or ‘Certified true copy’;
 
3. On each page under the confirmation, the authorised person will also write their name, signature, qualification, date of signing and business stamp;
 
4. The authorised person will need to include their contact details such as their office-hours phone number and email address.
 
Important notes:
 
- All pages must be certified. If the document is more than one page, then each page must be separately certified;

- The certification must be on the actual copy, not on another page attached to the copy;

- Certified copies must include original signatures and stamps. Faxed, scanned or emailed copies are not acceptable;

- If any of the documents are in a language other than English, they must be accompanied by an English translation prepared by an accredited translator.
 

Who is authorised to certify a document?

The certifying person must be currently employed in one of the professions listed below and contactable during office hours:
 
- Justice of the Peace (who must also provide their registration number);

- Solicitor / lawyer / barrister;

- Police officer ranked Sergeant or above, or in charge of a station;

- Staff member of an Australian Embassy or Consulate;

- Student Services Office of any Australian university;

- Officer within the official records department of the institution that originally issued the documents.


Submitting documents through an authorised UQ representative

You are able to take your original academic documents to one of UQ’s authorised representatives. Your documents will be assessed, copied, stamped and then forwarded to UQ on your behalf. The authorised agent will be required to declare that they have sighted and copied an original document.
 

How should I submit a certified document to UQ?

All certified documents must be mailed to the University.
 
You may initially send scanned copies by email with your application, but the certified copies must also be received via mail otherwise any offer of admission made will be conditional upon submission of these documents.
 

Documents from the Peoples Republic of China

The University of Queensland is unable to accept certified documents, as described above, for qualifications from China.

You will be required to submit your academic documents in one of the following forms:-
 
Notarised documents by an official Public Notary: 
Your documents will be copied and bound in white folders, and will contain a raised watermark. Please note, all academic documents will need to be notarised, both English and Chinese versions, the academic award document will also need to note that the degree has been ‘awarded according to the rules and regulations of the People’s Republic of China’.
 
Original copies of your documents received direct from the institution: 
You can request that your university sends a copy of your academic transcript and award documents directly to UQ. These will need to be in official university envelopes, and will need to arrive at UQ sealed and stamped.
 
Submitted through an authorised UQ representative:
You are able to take your original academic documents, or a copy that is in a sealed and stamped official envelope (as above), to one of UQ’s authorised representatives. Your documents will be assessed, copied, stamped and then forwarded to UQ on your behalf. The authorised agent will be required to declare that they have sighted and copied an original document, copies of notarised documents are not permitted.
 
China Academic Degrees & Graduate Education Development Centre (CDGDC) verification:
For all students who completed their degree from a non project 211 university, and also from Fuzhou University and Xiamen University, are required to submit their qualifications to CDGDC for verification. CDGDC will issue a verification certificate directly to UQ, we cannot accept the verification certificate unless it is issued directly to UQ from CDGDC.

How long will it take to process my application?

 
Once you submit your ‘Application for Admission and Scholarship’ form and provide all the necessary supporting documentation the following timeframes should apply to your application.
  • Your School/Institute will take 5 working days to review your application and make a recommendation to the UQ Graduate School.
  • The UQ Graduate School will take up to 10 working days to assess your application and make a decision on your admission.
  • International applicants should expect UQ International to take a further 10 working days to issue your formal letter of offer.  You should also factor in time to obtain your visa and make travel arrangements after you receive your official offer of admission from UQ International.
 
We recommend that applicants lodge their applications at least 6 weeks before
  • their intended commencement date (domestic)
  • the date they need to commence the process of obtaining a visa and making travel arrangements (international)
If your application is urgent and processing your application cannot take this long, please let your School/Institute know about your circumstances when you lodge your application.

When should I start?

Domestic students can start their RHD any day of the year.

If you are an international student, we recommend you commence at a time that will give you the most benefit from your Research Quarter fees:

Research Quarter 1: starts 1 January

Research Quarter 2: starts 1 April

Research Quarter 3: starts 1 July

Research Quarter 4: starts 1 October

What should I include in an academic Curriculum Vitae (CV)?

Your academic CV helps your School and the Dean of the Graduate School determine your readiness to commence a PhD or MPhil at UQ.  You must include an academic CV with your application for admission.

An academic CV should include information under the following headings:

  • Personal details
    Include your full name and contact details.
  • Educational qualifications and professional affiliations
    Include the full title of the qualification, the institution attended, and the year awarded.
  • Employment history
    In chronological order, starting with your current position and specifying dates of employment; include the title of each position, name of employer, main duties or accountabilities, and achievements that are relevant to your proposed field of research.
  • Research publications
    Include articles published or accepted for publication (with the three most significant marked with an asterisk).  Please specify the publication details, your contribution as an author to multi-authored publications, plus the standing of the journal or conference.
  • Description of most significant publications
    Include a short description (maximum 200 words each) for each of the three asterisked publications, explaining their significance in the field and why they have made an important contribution.
  • Research grants
    Include only those awarded.
  • Academic referees
    Please include the name and contact details (address, telephone, fax and email) of three referees.  If possible, please include a senior person (preferably your supervisor or the head of your organisational unit) closely associated with your current work.

If you are at an early stage of your career as a researcher and do not yet have any research publications and/or research grants, please include the heading and write "none to date".

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