Staff Postgraduate Coursework Study Scholarships

Applications for the 2021 Staff Postgraduate Coursework Study Scholarships are now CLOSED.

The attraction and retention of talented staff is a key element to achieving the objectives of the Sustaining Success staffing strategy. The Western Sydney Postgraduate Coursework Study Scholarships provide support in achieving postgraduate qualifications in management, leadership and a range of disciplines. It is one of the initiatives that Western has implemented in recent years to support the career development of our academic and professional staff.

The Scholarships offer reduced fees for ongoing academic and professional staff undertaking postgraduate study via coursework at Western Sydney University. Scholarship recipients pay $1000 per unit, and the Scholarship takes care of the rest. In addition, Scholarship recipients are eligible to apply for the Education Support Allowance (opens in a new window) provided by our Professional Development Policy.

An example of how the cost of a Western Sydney University Master of Business Administration can be reduced with a Staff Postgraduate Coursework Study Scholarship is shown below. The course requires the completion of sixteen units and can be completed in two years full-time or four years part-time. This example assumes the course is studied part-time, over four years, at four subjects per year.

Western Sydney University

Degree

M Business Administration

2020 Domestic Fees for 160 credit points (16 x $3,565 ea)

$57,000

Fee reduction from Scholarship
(units capped at $1,000 ea)

$-41,000

Western Sydney University Education Support Allowance
(for four full academic years)

$-12,000

Cost to Staff Member

$4,000

In addition, you may be able to:

  • Receive a FEE-HELP (Higher Education Loan Programme) loan
  • Have greater access to library facilities as a staff member
  • Claim study leave of up to 70 hours per annum (pro-rata for part-time employees)
  • Claim self education expenses in your tax return

Eligibility to apply

Applications for Western Sydney University Postgraduate Coursework Study Scholarships will be open to Academic and Professional staff who:
  • are ongoing, full-time or part-time Western Sydney staff with a minimum of 12 months of continuous service;
  • have a limited-term contract with a minimum of 12 months continuous service.  The limited-term contract must have a minimum of 2 years to run from the date the Postgraduate Scholarships close each year;
  • can demonstrate how the scholarship will benefit their career and professional development, their organisational unit and/or the University overall;
  • have been admitted to a Western Sydney University postgraduate course or satisfy all criteria for course admittance;
  • are supported in their application by the Head of their organisational unit.

Scholarship recipients need to commence their postgraduate course and enrol in at least one unit within 9 months of receiving the Scholarship.

Application Criteria and Guidelines

Please read the detailed application Criteria and Guidelines (PDF, 58.01 KB) (opens in a new window) before completing an application form.

Application Form and Closing Date

Applications for the 2023 Staff Postgraduate Coursework Study Scholarships are currently closed.

Application FormClosing Date
2022 Staff Postgraduate Coursework Study Scholarship Application Form (opens in a new window)to be advised

Scholarships Awarded

Scholarships granted since 2010 have supported staff in completing such courses as Master of Business Administration, Graduate Certificate in Business, Master of Information and Communications Technologies and Executive Master of Business.

The 2021 Postgraduate Scholarships recipients were:

2021 Recipients Proposed Course of Study
Nola Baker, Disability Advisor, Equity Diversity and SupportMaster of Project Management

Helen Black, Lecturer, School of Business

Master of Education (Leadership and Education)
Sonya Burr, Senior Manager - Finance Buisness Partnerships, Finance OfficeMaster of Business Administration
Ingrid Dernee,  Course Quality Support Officer, Data Integrity, Quality and OperationsGraduate Certificate of Public Health
Lisa Focas, Business Administration Manager, Office of the Pro Vice-Chancellor (International)Master of Business Administration (Operations Management)
Vanessa Fotheringham,  Business Analyst, School of Humanities and Communication ArtsGraduate Certificate in Business
Gabrielle Griffiths,  Manager, Strategy and Delivery, Office of the Vice-Chancellor and PresidentMaster of Business Administration
Erin Mackenzie, Lecturer, School of EducationGraduate Diploma of Psychological Studies
Fiona McDermid, Director of Student Engagement, School of Nursing and MidwiferyGraduate Certificate of Business

For any questions regarding the Staff Postgraduate Coursework Study Scholarships, please contact the Office of People and Success via email staffpostgrad@westernsydney.edu.au.