Australia Awards Scholarships in Nepal 2022

Australia Awards Scholarships in Nepal 2022

Australia’s international development assistance in Nepal helps promote prosperity, reduce poverty and enhance political stability.

Australia Awards Scholarships are prestigious international awards offered by the Australian Government to the next generation of global leaders for development. Through study and research, recipients develop the skills and knowledge to drive change and help build enduring people-to-people links with Australia.

Applicants are assessed on their professional and personal qualities, academic competence, and, most importantly, their potential to have an impact on development challenges in Nepal.

Applications are strongly encouraged from women, people with disabilities, and members of traditionally marginalized groups.

Priority areas of study

The priority areas of study for Nepal are:

• Economic Development
• Education
• Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion
• Governance
• Health
• Water Resource Management.

The governments of Australia and Nepal regularly review these areas of study together and adjust the emphasis of the program. Detailed information on priority areas of study can be found at australiaawardsnepal.org

Applicants are encouraged to review the Australian Government’s development policy, which can be found at the following website, Partnerships for Recovery: Australia’s COVID-19 Development Response, and consider their impact in a post-COVID-19 environment.

Level of study

Australia Awards Scholarships provide citizens of Nepal with the opportunity to obtain a qualification at an Australian tertiary institution.

Scholarships will be offered for master’s degree programs (by coursework or research) for study commencing in 2022.

Australia Awards benefits

Australia Awards Scholarships are offered for the minimum period necessary for the individual to complete the academic program specified by the Australian education institution, including any preparatory training.

Scholarship recipients will receive the following entitlements:

• return air travel
• a one-off establishment allowance on arrival
• full tuition fees
• contribution to living expenses
• introductory academic program
• overseas student health cover for the duration of the Scholarship
• supplementary academic support
• fieldwork allowance for research students and those undertaking a master’s degree by coursework that has a compulsory fieldwork component.

Eligibility criteria

Australia Awards applicants must meet all eligibility requirements, including citizenship and residency requirements, detailed in the Australia Awards Scholarships Policy Handbook, available at: dfat.gov.au/about-us/publications/Pages/australia-awards-scholarships-policy-handbook.

English language proficiency

Applicants must have achieved an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) (Academic) score of 6.5 or higher (with no individual band score of less than 6.0) or (TOEFL) score of at least 84, with a minimum of 21 in all subtests, or a Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic overall score of 58 with no communicative skill score less than 50. Scores must be valid on 1 January 2022.

In Nepal, the following exception applies:

• Women, people with disability, members of traditionally marginalised groups and nominated public servants will be considered for eligibility with an IELTS (Academic) overall score of 6 or above (with no individual band less than 5.5) or an equivalent TOEFL or PTE test score. However, if offered an Australia Awards Scholarship, these applicants must meet the English language requirements of their preferred university and degree before commencing study.

For Scholarship recipients, English language support funded by the Australian Government may be available to some women, people with disability, members of traditionally marginalised groups and nominated public servants who do not meet university English language test requirements.

Commencement of study

All scholarships must be taken up in the year for which they are awarded, this however also depends on travel restrictions due to COVID-19.

Qualifications and work experience

To be eligible, applicants must have the following qualifications and work experience:

• a four-year bachelor’s degree with a minimum of three years’ relevant full-time work experience earned after the bachelor’s degree; or
• a three-year bachelor’s degree with at least a one-year master’s degree with a minimum of three years’ relevant full-time work experience earned after the bachelor’s degree; or
• a two-year bachelor’s degree with at least a two-year master’s degree with a minimum of three years’ relevant full-time work experience earned after the bachelor’s degree.

Scholarships will not be available for courses of study in Australia where the applicant has already achieved a qualification that is deemed to be equivalent to the Australian qualification.

Recognition of prior learning

The Australia Awards Scholarships program will request recognition of prior learning for all Scholarship recipients from Nepal. If this request is granted, the recipient may be placed in a study program shorter in duration than originally applied for.

Special conditions

Applicants from Nepal must also meet the following conditions:

• Applicants from the public sector, who are nominated by the Government of Nepal, must submit their official nomination letters to the Australian Embassy in Kathmandu through the relevant line ministries.
• Applicants for a master’s degree by research must identify a potential supervisor and must show proof of correspondence with their university / research supervisor.
• Scholarship recipients are required to return to Nepal for at least two years after completing their studies.

Application dates:

For Scholarships for study commencing in Australia in 2022:

Opening date: 1 February 2021        
Closing date: 30 April 2021 (11:59 pm Canberra time)

Applications and/or supporting documents received after the closing date will not be considered.

The application process­

Online applications

All applications must be lodged online at the following website:  OASIS (Online Australia Awards Scholarships Information System).

Supporting documents

Applicants must provide the following documents to meet the specific requirements for Nepal:

The selection process­

• Applications will be shortlisted after eligibility checking.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• The selection process includes an interview. Applicants will be assessed against the following criteria:
• academic competence

- potential outcome, specifically the contribution to development outcomes in Nepal

- professional and personal leadership attributes, including relevant work experience.

• Successful candidates will be notified by 30 August 2021, barring unforeseen disruptions.
• The selection process and planned schedule may change, depending on the operating environment and other conditions. Preparatory training Successful applicants will be required to attend or undertake:
• course counselling
• pre-departure briefing
• Introductory Academic Program delivered by the host university
• other required preparatory study on arrival in Australia. Further information Information about Australia Awards – Nepal can be found at the following link: australiaawardsnepal.org

More general information about Australia Awards, Australia’s aid program and studying in Australia can be found at the following links:

• Australia Awards
• Study in Australia

Information about visas and Australia Awards Scholarship entitlements and conditions can be found in the Scholarships Policy Handbook

Contact details

 Australia Awards – Nepal

 Chhetrabikram Marg, Panipokhari Maharajgunj, Kathmandu, Nepal

Telephone: (+977) 1 4002614

Email: [email protected]