UQ one of nations leading centres for postgraduate studies
The University of Queensland is one of the nation's leading centres for postgraduate studies and one of the top two nationally for PhD completions.
With a 6000-strong intellectual community of postgraduates, the University is considered one of the country's best learning centres in higher education and research. The University envisages that 25 percent of all UQ students will be studying for a postgraduate qualification within the next few years.
Deputy Director of the UQ Graduate School and Dean of Postgraduate Students Associate Professor Alan Lawson said a report from the Graduate Careers Council of Australia released late last year showed that postgraduates have better employment and salary outcomes than bachelor degree graduates.
"UQ offers postgraduates studies on many levels, structured so students can choose which direction and time commitment they prefer, from postgraduate diplomas and graduate certificates, through to masters, professional doctorates and PhDs. Most courses are available on a full-time or part-time basis," he said.
"People planning to undertake research masters or PhDs don't have to pay for their studies at all. UQ is one of the few universities in the country that completely covers the cost of HECS for any research student who does not qualify for a Federal Government scholarship.
"UQ also provides financial support to many full-time postgraduate students by employing them. Where possible, postgraduate students are offered tutoring and research positions, putting their knowledge to good use.
UQ awards approximately 250 research scholarships each year. To assist students with their UQ higher degree scholarships applications, the University's Scholarships Office is planning an information session on Tuesday, October 12 from 4.30pm to 6.30pm at the Kathleen Room, UQ Staff and Graduates Club, St Lucia.
For coursework graduates, UQ also offers merit-based equity places to students from groups that are under-represented at postgraduate level and may be unable to meet fee requirements. This allows students such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and students from rural and isolated areas to undertake fee-based courses on a HECS basis. Students with disabilities are also able to access these places. There are also a number of scholarships, grants and research awards available."
Dr Lawson said professionals undertaking further studies for career enhancement should check with their accountants or financial advisers to see if their enrolment fees were tax deductible.
New UQ postgraduate courses proposed for 2000 cover such wide-ranging fields as computers, technology and language; toxicology; tropical infectious diseases; ethics; molecular biology; marine studies; animal studies; food studies; plant protection; critical reasoning; humanities; agribusiness management; English linguistics; and aquaculture.
For further information about coursework masters, postgraduate diplomas and graduate certificates, contact the relevant Faculty office at UQ - Arts 07 3365 1333; Biological and Chemical Sciences 07 3365 1888; Business, Economics and Law 07 3365 7111; Engineering, Physical Sciences and Architecture 07 3365 4777; Health Sciences, 3365 5342; Natural Resources, Agriculture and Veterinary Science 07 3365 7916; Social and Behavioural Sciences 07 3365 7487.
For information about PhDs, research masters and scholarships, contact the Graduate School, telephone 07 3365 3477.
