India-Australia Dual Award Degree Collaboration

A number of Higher Education institutions in India have entered into an arrangement with Western Sydney University to offer students Dual Award degrees as part of a collaborative agreement to provide students with broader access to facilities and resources in both countries, and to share knowledge and expertise across a broad range of academic discipline areas.

The information below is intended to be a summary only and may be used as a guide. Detailed criteria will form part of the Individual Candidature Agreement between the institution in India and Western Sydney University.

Eligibility

Only those institutions in India who have signed an existing memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Western Sydney University under this arrangement are able to offer Dual Award degrees.

This Dual Award program is currently open to students from the following institutions only:

Others may be determined from time to time with approval from the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research, Enterprise and International) at Western Sydney University.

Admission Numbers

The total number of Dual Award degree students accommodated under this arrangement is limited. Most institutions in India have been approved to offer only a small number of scholarships as specified by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research, Enterprise and International) at Western Sydney University. A total of 46 scholarships are offered in this tranche.

Discipline Selection

A range of academic disciplines is selected across Schools and Institutes at Western Sydney University. In the first tranche, these participants include:

  • Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment
  • School of Business
  • School of Computer, Data and Mathematical Sciences
  • School of Engineering, Design and Built Environment
  • School of Science

Other Schools or Institutes may be added from time to time with approval from the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research, Enterprise and International) at Western Sydney University.

Pathway Selection

Pathway selection will be determined between the institution in India and Western Sydney University. For the majority of students, a Dual Award Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree is offered. A combined Dual Award Master of Research (MRes) degree with Dual Award PhD degree is also possible.

Phasing

The duration of time spent in India and Australia has been determined between the institution in India and Western Sydney University. For a Dual Award PhD degree there are two options:

  • First 18 months in India followed by a second 18 months in Australia (primarily for Science-based disciplines); or
  • First 12 months in India followed by 12 months in Australia, and a further 12 months in India (primarily for non-Science-based disciplines).

If combined with the Dual Award MRes degree:

  • First 12 months in India followed by 12 months in Australia for the MRes degree, followed by one of the phasing options above for the PhD.

Funding

The Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research, Enterprise and International) has agreed to support the first tranche of students from central funding. The agreed amounts will be specified in an Individual Candidature Agreement with each enrolled student. In principle, the financial support provided by Western Sydney University is shown below.

Stand-alone MRes Dual Award degree comprises:

  • candidature project funding up to $3,500 (high cost) or $750 (low cost) per annum pro rata (12 months); and
  • reasonable travel costs up to $4,500 for an economy return airfare, accommodation and living expenses for a supervisor/MRes coordinator (Australia to India).

Stand-alone Dual Award PhD degree comprises:

  • a tuition fee waiver;
  • a scholarship equivalent to $30,000 per annum pro rata (12 or 18 months);
  • candidature project funding up to $7,000 (high cost PhD) or $2,000 (low cost PhD) per annum pro rata (12 or 18 months); and
  • reasonable travel costs up to $4,500 for an economy return airfare, accommodation and living expenses for a supervisor (India to Australia).

In addition, eligible combined MRes/PhD Dual Award degree comprises:

  • reasonable travel costs up to $5,500 for an economy return airfare, accommodation and living expenses for a supervisor/MRes coordinators (Australia to India) replacing (b) and (f) above.

Equivalent support will be offered to students at the institution in India.

Preliminary Student Selection

A list of eligible projects and/or supervisors will be made available on the India-Australia Dual Award page in accordance with the strategic objectives of the University.

MRes and PhD students will proceed to an admission application where:

  • there is an agreement (MoU) in place;
  • there is funding identified in the 2022-2029 budget forecast;
  • there is a panel of supervisors identified at each institution (India and Australia); and
  • there is a reasonable expectation that the student will meet normal admission criteria at Western Sydney University for the degree in which they are to be enrolled, including English language requirements.

Principal Supervision

The institution in India and Western Sydney University will each appoint a Principal Supervisor to supervise and assess a student’s work and progress. No supervisor at either institution will be forced to take on a student.

Admission Application

Once the conditions under 'Student Selection' have been met, the Graduate Research School will confirm authenticity (i.e. eligibility under this scheme) and confirm that the student meets equivalent admission criteria and process the the application.

Admission to the degree at Western Sydney University will require the student to apply through a nominated Agent in India. The Graduate Research School may provide a list of agents.

MRes students applying for admission to the second stage (Thesis Year) will need to demonstrate equivalency to facilitate an application for Advanced Standing.

Final Student Selection

The School/Institute follows their regular admission processes including:

  • distributing the application to the nominated Principal Supervisor for assessment;
  • seeking endorsement from the relevant School/Institute committee (if required);
  • seeking approval from the School Dean/Institute Director; and
  • providing an outcome to the Graduate Research School to make an offer, or a rejection (as appropriate).

Agreements

Once a student is selected under this arrangement, an individual Candidature Agreement will be required. The document will cover the terms of the Dual Award degree(s). The Candidature Agreement will be prepared and managed by the school/institute. A template approved by the Office of University Secretary and General Counsel will be provided. Any significant amendments to this template may need to be re-assessed by the Office of University Secretary and General Counsel prior to issue.

Student Progression

Students will be enrolled in the degree concurrently at the institution in India and Western Sydney University. Once enrolled, students will need to meet the normal progression criteria of both the institution in India and Western Sydney University (normally Presentation of Proposal (MRes) or Confirmation of Candidature (PhD) to progress into second year).

For the combined Dual Award Master of Research degree with Dual Award PhD degree, the student would need to meet minimum requirements for progression from one degree to another (normally an MRes thesis examination outcome of 85% or higher).

Examination

The examination process for awarding the degree will be managed according to the polices and regulations and processes of the institution in India and Western Sydney University. The language of the thesis will be English.

Conferral of Award

Once all conditions of award are met for the relevant degree, the student will graduate with two testamurs (each acknowledging the other institution under a Dual Award).

Enquiries

If you have any further enquiries, please contact the Graduate Research School: grs.admissions@westernsydney.edu.au