Programme details

Direct Joint PhD enrolment

Project initiation and student registration can occur at any time of year with one of the five Sri Lankan partner universities. A project can be proposed by either the Sri Lankan university or the RMIT senior supervisor. Funding for the Sri Lanka stay can be secured through:

• Research funding from the host university in Sri Lanka
• Industry sponsorship in Sri Lanka
• Competitive research funding available in Sri Lanka (e.g. NSF, NRC)

For the one-year onshore period in Melbourne, RMIT provides a living stipend at the onshore Australian PhD rate, a full tuition fee waiver for up to four years of enrolment, and a return airfare to Melbourne.

UGC Joint PhD enrolment

Sri Lanka's University Grants Commission (UGC) announces 15 Joint PhD scholarships each year, with a call for applications typically in March/April. Students apply and undergo a competitive interview process; suitable RMIT supervisors are then assigned based on expertise.

• Covers PhD stipend and research costs for 2.5 years in Sri Lanka
• RMIT provides an onshore living stipend for the Melbourne year
• Full tuition fee waiver for up to four years of enrolment
• Return airfare to Melbourne