Sydney School of Veterinary Sciences Postgraduate Diversity Scholarship

1. Background

a. Established in 2022 through the generous donations to the Sydney School of Veterinary Sciences, this scholarship provides financial support to students entering the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at the University of Sydney.

2. Eligibility

a. Applicants must be Australian Citizen or Australian Permanent Resident.

b. The Scholarship is offered subject to the applicant having an unconditional offer of admission and commencing full-time study in the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in the Sydney School of Veterinary Sciences at the University of Sydney.

c. Applicants must be able to demonstrate at least one of the following:

I. identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Island person as defined in the University of Sydney’s Confirmation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Identity Policy 2015,

II. carer responsibilities, and/or

III. rural or remote primary residential address as defined by the Australian Government Doctor Connect classifications as inner regional, outer regional, remote or very remote.

3. Selection Criteria

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

I. academic merit,

II. evidence of at least one of the following:

i. identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Island person as defined in the University of Sydney’s Confirmation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Identity Policy 2015,

ii. carer responsibilities (i.e., signed Medical Letter), and/or

iii. rural or remote primary residential address as defined by the Australian Government Doctor Connect classifications as inner regional, outer regional, remote or very remote.

III. personal statements outlining:

i. how the scholarship will assist them in their studies at the University of Sydney, and

ii. their interests in studying the degree and how they hope to use the degree in rural veterinary practice post-graduation.

b. The Scholarship will be awarded by a selection committee consisting of the Head of School Sydney School of Veterinary Sciences or their nominated delegates.

4. Value

a. The Scholarship will provide academic course fees (capped at CSP rate) for 4 years of the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. The academic course fees will be processed after the census date of each main semester.

b. The Scholarship will also provide each student with an equal instalment of $500 for the purchase of books. This will be processed after the census date of each semester and is tenable for 4 years of the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree.

c. The Scholarship cannot be deferred, and it is not transferable to another University school, faculty or university.

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

e. No other amount is payable.

5. Ongoing Eligibility

To continue receipt of the Scholarship, the recipient must maintain full-time enrolment and a minimum Semester Average Mark (SAM) of 65 each semester.

6. Termination

a. The Scholarship will be terminated if the recipient:

I. withdraws from an eligible course or fails to enrol,

II. commences part-time study without prior approval,

III. 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. accepts an alternative scholarship, administered by the University of Sydney, valued at $8,300 per annum or more for the same purpose as this Scholarship,

VI. does not resume study at the end of a period of approved leave, or

VII. any other provision as indicated in these terms that would lead to termination.

b. Once the Scholarship has been terminated, it will not be reinstated.

c. Where a student is found guilty of serious misconduct or the Scholarship is terminated under any instance in the Termination Clause of these terms and conditions, the University reserves the right to request that any Scholarship funds paid to the Scholarship recipient be reimbursed.

7. Report

a. Successful recipients will be asked to provide a report to the Sydney School of Veterinary Sciences, before the last scholarship instalment in the final year, detailing how the scholarship has assisted them with their studies and how they will apply the knowledge and skills learnt in the degree on their return to rural veterinary practice.