Research Training Scheme(RTS)
for HDR students
- What is the RTS?
- What does the RTS do for me?
- Who is eligible for an RTS place?
- How long does an RTS place last?
- If I transfer from one research degree to another, what happens to my RTS place?
- What happens if I transfer between universities during a degree?
- I discontinued my research degree. Am I eligible for an RTS place if I re-enrol to complete my degree?
- I have completed a research higher degree and now want to do another one. Am I eligible for an RTS place?
- I need to suspend my studies for a period. What happens to my RTS entitlement?
The RTS is a Commonwealth Government funded performance-based scheme that "aims to recognise and reward those institutions that provide high-quality research training environments and support excellent and diverse research activities." (see Research Training Scheme (RTS) on the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research website.)
It provides funding to universities to support the training of research students, including funding for fee-exempt places for students enrolled in higher degrees by research (HDR).
Prior to the commencement of RTS on 1 September 2000, the Commonwealth Government allocated universities a certain number of Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS)-exempt scholarships to fund postgraduate research students. In comparison and very simplistically, RTS funds universities by the number of students it attracts, rewarding universities that are most able to attract students, presumably due to the high-quality environment and resources they provide.
The Research Training Scheme provides an exemption from course fees (Higher Education Contribution Scheme / HECS) for eligible students who commenced a research higher degree after 31 August 2000. Students who gain such an exemption are said to have an “RTS place”.
It also provides the university with funds to provide adequate resources to support research students. This includes the UNE Strategic Doctoral Scholarships and other resources made available to HDR students at UNE.
Who is eligible for an RTS place?
Australian citizens, permanent residents and citizens of New Zealand enrolled in an appropriate research higher degree that commenced on or after 1 September 2000 are eligible for an RTS place.
An eligible research programme is defined as having "a minimum of two-thirds of its assessable content by research and the assessment process must involve at least one qualified examiner external to the institution" (RTS Guidelines 2004). Students enrolled in undergraduate degrees, postgraduate coursework degrees and higher doctorates are not eligible.
Eligibility is not a guarantee that a student will gain an RTS place. The number of new places offered by an institution will depend on the funds available to the institution based on the enrolments, completions of higher research degrees and research activity of the institution according to a complex formula.
If I transfer from one research degree to another, what happens to my RTS place?
The RTS entitlement used during one degree is debited from the RTS entitlement of the degree to which the student transfers. For example, if a student has spent 3 semesters full-time in a masters and transfers to a PhD then he/she only has 3 semesters full-time in the PhD before the RTS entitlement is exhausted. Or if a student transfers to a masters after 8 part-time semesters in a PhD then there is no RTS entitlement for the masters as the maximum RTS available for a masters degree has been exhausted, and the student may be required to pay the appropriate fees.
What happens if I transfer between universities during a degree?
If approval is been given for a student to transfer his/her studies to another institution, the RTS entitlement consumed towards the degree at the first institution is debited from the RTS entitlement of the degree in the institution to which the student transfers. It is the total length of the research degree that is considered.
Transferring students are required to provide a signed statement about their enrolment and consumption of RTS at the previous institution so that their remaining entitlement can be determined.
I discontinued my research degree. Am I eligible for an RTS place if I re-enrol to complete my degree?
Students who have discontinued their studies may be eligible for consideration for a RTS place if they re-enrol in a research higher degree course at a later date. If a student resumes their studies within three years, they will have the period of their prior enrolment deducted from their maximum entitlement under the RTS. If the time between enrolments is greater than three years then the full entitlement may be granted.
I have completed a research higher degree and now want to do another one. Am I eligible for an RTS place?
A student who has completed a masters, whether from overseas or in Australia under the RTS scheme, is eligible for the maximum RTS for the PhD.
A student with a PhD who wishes to enrol in a second PhD is eligible for the maximum RTS for the PhD.
I need to suspend my studies for a period. What happens to my RTS entitlement?
The RTS entitlement is not affected by periods of suspensions totaling a maximum of 12 months.
If a student spends some time at another institution while studying for their degree then this is not counted as a suspension. The student must be enrolled during this period away from the University and hence it would be counted towards their RTS.
The RTS Guidelines are available on the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research website.