Ivan Roberts Scholarship

1. Background

a. This Scholarship was established from a bequest by the late Ivan Roberts to create an annual scholarship for a University of Sydney Law School student who attains the highest pass at graduation for postgraduate study at an approved institution.

2. Eligibility

a. Applicants must be:

I. about to graduate from their Bachelor of Laws or Juris Doctor at the University of Sydney, or
II. have graduated from a Bachelor of Law or Juris Doctor from the University of Sydney within the last 5 years.

b. Applicants must have applied or have an unconditional offer of admission for commencing full-time studies in a postgraduate coursework degree or research degree within the Sydney Law School, or equivalent institution as approved by the Sydney Law School.

c. Applicants who have already commenced a postgraduate coursework degree or research degree within the Sydney Law School, or equivalent institution as approved by the Sydney Law School are not eligible.

3. Selection Criteria

a. The Scholarship will be awarded on the basis of:

I. academic merit,
II. curriculum vitae, and
III. personal statements which demonstrate the applicant’s (1) leadership experience, communication skills, personal interests and community engagement and (2) commitment to applying the learning offered by their degree and how their postgraduate study will contribute to making a positive difference to professional and/or legal practice.

b. The Scholarship will be awarded on the nomination of a selection committee consisting of the Head of School and Dean of The University of Sydney Law School or their nominated delegate, and at least one other staff member from the School.

4. Value

a. The Scholarship is valued at $50,000 and will be paid as follows:

i. For international coursework or research students enrolled at the University of Sydney, the amount will be paid as a one-off payment after the census date of their first semester/research period of enrolment.

ii. For domestic coursework students enrolled at the University of Sydney, the scholarship is tenable for up to 1 year and the amount will be paid in two equal instalments after the census date of each semester.

iii. For students not enrolled at the University of Sydney, the amount will be paid as a one-off payment upon submission to the University of Sydney Scholarships Office of a proof of enrolment in an approved institution and postgraduate program in commercial law and equity, as endorsed by the Sydney Law School.

c. The Scholarship is for commencement in the semester or research period in which it is offered and cannot be deferred without the prior permission of the Head of School and Dean of the Sydney Law School.

d. The Scholarship will be offered subject to the availability of funds.

e. No other amount is payable.

5. Eligibility for Progression – domestic coursework University of Sydney students only

a. The recipient should maintain satisfactory academic performance during the scholarship tenure and is expected to successfully complete their degree.

6. Termination

a. The Scholarship will be terminated:

I. On resignation or withdrawal of the student from an eligible/approved course or fails to enrol,
II. if the student ceases to be a full-time student and prior approval has not been obtained to hold the Scholarship on a part-time basis from the Head of School and Dean of the Sydney Law School,
III. If the recipient does not maintain satisfactory academic performance,
IV. is determined by the University to be guilty of serious misconduct, including, but not limited to, having provided false or misleading information as part of their Scholarship application,
V. If the recipient does not resume study at the end of a period of approved leave where relevant,
VI. For University of Sydney research students, upon submission of the thesis or at the end of the award,
VII. For University of Sydney research students, upon the recipient having completed the maximum candidature for their degree as per the University of Sydney (Higher Degree by Research) Rule 2011 Policy,
VIII. For University of Sydney domestic coursework students, if the recipient receives an alternative University of Sydney administered scholarship. In such circumstances this Scholarship will be terminated in favour of the alternative scholarship.
IX. .

b. The Scholarship may also be terminated by the University before this time if, in the opinion of the University:

I. The course of study is not being carried out with competence and diligence or in accordance with the terms of this offer,
II. the student fails to maintain satisfactory progress, or
III. the student has committed misconduct or other inappropriate conduct.

c. Once the Scholarship has been terminated, it will not be reinstated unless due to University error.

7. Misconduct – all recipients

a. Where during the Scholarship a student engages in misconduct, or other inappropriate conduct (either during the Scholarship or in connection with the student’s application and eligibility for the Scholarship), which in the opinion of the University warrants recovery of funds paid to the student, the University may require the student to repay scholarship funds and any other payments made to the student in connection with the Scholarship. Examples of such conduct include and without limitation; academic dishonesty, research misconduct within the meaning of the Research Code of Conduct 2023 (for example, plagiarism in proposing, carrying out or reporting the results of research, or failure to declare or manage a serious conflict of interests), breach of the Student Charter 2020 and misrepresentation in the application materials or other documentation associated with the Scholarship.

b. The University may require such repayment at any time during or after the Scholarship period. In addition, by accepting this Scholarship, the student consents to all aspects of any investigation into misconduct in connection with this Scholarship being disclosed by the University to the funding body and/or any relevant professional body.