International engagement opportunities

International research opportunities can enrich your UNSW experience by providing exposure to a wide range of research environments along with opportunities to build international research networks and collaborations.

UNSW supports international research experience through conference funding, visiting research opportunities, joint PhD programs, and joint supervision.

We also welcome international HDR candidates who wish to visit our University through the research practicum program.

Cotutelle

The Cotutelle program provides candidates with the opportunity to be jointly supervised by a UNSW supervisor and a collaborating supervisor at an approved international university. Candidates enrol in the PhD program available at each university, and submit a thesis to each university, where it is examined separately.

The collaborative supervision arrangements are formalised through an agreement between both participating universities.

How to apply:
  • Complete the Joint PhD Candidate Proposal form and submit to the Graduate Research School via email at grs@unsw.edu.au
  • Prospective PhD candidate applies to UNSW via Apply Online indicating that they are seeking to enrol under a Cotutelle
  • The Graduate Research School will liaise with UNSW Faculty to review the proposal and candidate application
  • If approved, a Cotutelle agreement for the candidate will be prepared
  • The Graduate Research School sends an offer letter to the candidate
  • PhD candidate accepts the offer and commences the Cotutelle program
  • The candidate spends time at each University

Joint PhD Program

The Joint PhD Program allows PhD candidates to enrol at UNSW and an approved strategic partner university. Candidates are jointly supervised by both a UNSW supervisor and a collaborating supervisor from the partner university, they spend time at both Universities, and graduate with a single Doctor of Philosophy jointly awarded by both institutions.

This program builds upon existing research collaborations and relationships that have already been established between the two Universities, including co-publication of research, work on joint research projects, joint research grants, joint research centres and staff exchanges.

Before a candidate can enrol in a Joint PhD Program, there must be a Joint PhD Agreement between UNSW and the partner university.

UNSW has existing Joint PhD Agreements with several universities worldwide. It is also possible for a UNSW supervisor with an existing research collaboration to request a Joint PhD Agreement with a new partner university

To be considered, you must meet the following eligibility criteria:
  • Your potential UNSW supervisor must have an existing research collaboration with the partner university (this can be shown via co-publications, co-supervision, co-funding relationship, staff exchange, sabbaticals, joint presentations etc)
  • You commence your candidature at both institutions at the same time
  • You must not have already commenced a PhD prior to applying to undertake the Joint PhD Program.
  • You must be enrolled in a full-time study load
  • You must be enrolled at UNSW Kensington campus (Joint PhD programs are not available at the UNSW Canberra Campus)

Additional information

  • Prior to your enrolment at UNSW, you should discuss your interest in enrolling in a Joint PhD Program with potential UNSW supervisors. If your potential supervisor supports this proposal, they will need to lead the application process outlined below. 

    To be considered, you must meet the following eligibility criteria:

    • Your potential UNSW supervisor must have an existing research collaboration with the partner university (this can be shown via co-publications, co-supervision, co-funding relationship, staff exchange, sabbaticals, joint presentations etc)
    • You commence your candidature at both institutions at the same time 
    • You must not have already commenced a PhD prior to applying to undertake the Joint PhD Program.
    • You must be enrolled in a full-time study load
  • UNSW has Joint PhD Agreements in place with the following institutions:

    • Chiang Mai University, Thailand
    • China Coal Research Institute, China
    • China Ocean University, China
    • Dongguan University of Technology (with UNSW Canberra), China
    • Go8 Network (Umbrella agreement– still need 1:1 institutional agreement in place)
    • LaTrobe University, Australia
    • LIPI (Indonesian Institute of Sciences), Indonesia
    • Munster University of Applied Sciences (with UNSW Canberra), Germany
    • Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
    • RIKEN, Japan
    • Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
    • The European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Germany
    • U21 Network (Umbrella agreement)
    • Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia
    • University of Auckland, NZ
    • University of Glasgow, UK
    • University of Malaya, Malaysia
    • University of Montreal, Canada
    • University of Potsdam, Germany
    • University of Sri Jayewardenepura (USJ) (with UNSW Canberra), Sri Lanka
    • Xi’an Jiatong University, China 
  • The application process should be initiated by the UNSW supervisor, and should commence at least 6 months before the intended start date of candidature (for Term Start Dates, visit this page).

    1. UNSW Supervisor completes the Cotutelle/Joint PhD Candidate form in collaboration with the supervisor at the partner university
    2. Prospective PhD candidate applies to UNSW via Apply Online indicating that they are seeking to enrol under a Joint PhD Program
    3. UNSW Supervisor submits the form to the Graduate Research School
    4. Form and admission application are reviewed by the Graduate Research School. Candidate Agreement is drafted based on this information and sent to the partner university
    5. UNSW and partner university negotiate the final terms of the Candidate Agreement
    6. Admission application is reviewed by School for admission recommendation and returned to the Graduate Research School 
    7. If admission is recommended by the Faculty, the Candidate Agreement proceeds to the signature stage. The Graduate Research School liaises with the partner university for signatures
    8. The Dean of Graduate Research will review and approve the application, including signing the Candidate Agreement
    9. The Graduate Research School will notify supervisors that agreement is approved and send a copy of the Candidate Agreement
    10. The Graduate Research School sends an offer letter to the candidate, and a copy of the Candidate Agreement
    11. PhD candidate accepts the offer and commences Joint PhD Program in accordance with the agreed schedule in the Candidate Agreement
  • UNSW academic staff can express their interest in establishing a Joint PhD Program with a new partner University. There is an Expression of Interest process in which you must demonstrate a strategic and sustainable research relationship between UNSW and the proposed partner university, including a critical mass of prospective applicants.

    The process is as follows:

    1. Contact the office of the Dean of Graduate Research for an initial discussion about the potential program
    2. If the Dean is supportive, complete the Expression of Interest Form for an International MOU or Student Agreement 
    3. The EoI will be reviewed by the Dean of Graduate Research
    4. The Graduate Research School will advise on the status and progression of your application

    Once approved by the Dean of Graduate Research, there is discussion between both universities about areas including:

    • candidature terms and conditions
    • financial/scholarship agreements
    • Intellectual Property 
    • examination
    • time-split between institutions 

    The Dean of Graduate Research leads the discussions with the partner university’s counterpart Dean to develop the Joint PhD Program Agreement. These ongoing drafting and discussions can take anywhere from 3-18 months.

International Mobility Opportunities

There are a number of programs and opportunities open to UNSW HDR candidates who would like to undertake global research activities during their candidature.

Universitas 21 (U21) Researcher Mobility Programs

The U21 is a global network of leading research-intensive universities that delivers programs and initiatives to foster international collaboration and facilitate global knowledge exchange.

The U21 Graduate Collaborative Research Awards support PhD candidates to collaborate with other doctoral candidates from international member universities on an approved 12-month research project. Successful projects receive up to US$5,000, and projects are expected to result in publicly accessible outputs (e.g. peer-reviewed publications). For more information, visit U21 Graduate Collaborative Research Awards.

Member universities also offer a range of short term study abroad opportunities, which are advertised here.

Other Opportunities

Candidates may organise their own short term (12 months or less) research visits to international institutions with their supervisor’s support.

How to apply for an international research opportunity:
  • Check if there are any application requirements for the program and/or research institution you plan to visit
  • Submit a variation to candidature request to work away from a UNSW campus
  • Register your travel with International SOS to ensure you are kept up to date on the latest travel alerts
  • Go to the How to Prepare for Departure website for useful information on preparing for an overseas study, including UNSW Travel insurance, travel, registration, risk management and safety & security
  • NOTE: Due to COVID-19, there are government restrictions on both domestic and international travel. Before planning any travel, please check the Commonwealth travel guidelines and the travel advice on the UNSW COVID-19 website.

Research Practicum Program

The UNSW Study Abroad Research Practicum Program is designed for candidates enrolled in a research degree outside of Australia who would like to undertake a short research visit at UNSW Sydney. Candidates who participate in the program have access to an appropriate supervisor, services, libraries, campus amenities and liability insurance for UNSW premises for a duration between 3 – 24 months (subject to Faculty availability and approval).

Contact

For further information, please contact the UNSW Graduate Research School.

Email: grs@unsw.edu.au