The Research Training Scheme (RTS) is a performance-based funding scheme administered by the Commonwealth Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR).
Students under the RTS are exempt from the requirement to pay student contributions and tuition fees.
What is the difference between the RTS and fees liability?
Prior to 01 September 2000, students in receipt of a Commonwealth funded research place were either granted a Research HECS Exemption award (RHEA), which exempted them from the requirement to pay HECS, or were enrolled on a HECS-liable basis. Students were funded for up to 3 equivalent full-time years for Masters degrees or up to 5 equivalent full-time years for PhD degrees. Students who exhausted their entitlement were generally supported by the institution.
The RTS replaced the Research Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS) Exemptions Scheme from 01 September 2000. It provides block grants to eligible higher education institutions to support research training for students undertaking Doctorates and Masters by research. The RTS provides these students, referred to as Commonwealth-funded Higher Degree by Research Candidates, with an ‘entitlement’ to a student contribution and tuition fee exemption for the duration of an accredited Higher Degree by Research course, up to a maximum period of four years’ full-time equivalent study for a Doctorate by research and two years’ full-time equivalent study for a Masters by research. (Please note: this 'entitlement' may vary depending on individual circumstances - see below.)
Will I have to pay a fee for my higher degree research course?
Not at UWA. This is because at this stage UWA has agreed that, with the exception of international students, no fees will be charged to any student admitted to UWA for a research higher degree or to any student currently enrolled in a research higher degree at UWA.
However, the Government allows universities to charge fees to students who exhaust their funding entitlement and continue their enrolment. The fee level to be imposed will be at the discretion of the institution. Institutions may also provide research training on a fee-paying basis to students not granted an RTS place. The fee level to be imposed will also be at the discretion of the institution.
Allocation of RTS places at UWA
By its Resolution 89/01 the Academic Council resolved to adopt the priority ranking for the allocation of Research Training Scheme places as follows:
(a) Australian Postgraduate Award (APA), University Postgraduate Award (UPA) and nationally competitive scholarship holders
(b) PhD candidates not holding APAs or UPAs
(c) Masters by research (by thesis) candidates not holding APAs or UPAs
(d) Professional Doctoral candidates
(e) Masters by research (by thesis 66% and by coursework 33%) candidates
Assessment for eligibility of an RTS place and allocation takes place automatically. There is no need for Candidates to apply separately for consideration for an RTS place.
Candidates in some combined courses may be required to pay fees or organise a loan for the coursework component of their combined degree, even though the research component is covered by the RTS. If in doubt about your eligibility under the Scheme contact the Graduate Research School and Scholarships Office.
This information may be subject to change without notice. Changes may either be to DEEWR or University policy.
