Understanding research degree fees
The cost of your UTS research degree depends on the course you choose and whether you’re a domestic or international student. It's important to read all fee information that is relevant to you before using the tuition fee search tool, to gain a full understanding of your fees.
Domestic student research degree fees
Domestic students who are offered entry to a graduate research degree will have the cost of their tuition fees covered by the Australian Government’s Research Training Program (RTP) Fees Offset Scholarship. If you are granted an RTP Fee Offset Scholarship you are not required to pay tuition fees for up to the maximum allowable period to complete your study.
- For a Doctoral degree this is 4 years full time or 8 years part time
- For a Masters by Research degree this is 2 years full time or 4 years part time
Note: students commencing their graduate research candidature from Autumn 2018 session who do not complete their studies within the standard period are liable for candidature overtime fees for the remainder of their studies.
Eligibility for an RTP Fees Offset
To be eligible for an RTP Fees Offset, a domestic applicant must meet all the below criteria:
- An Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or a New Zealand citizen
- Commencing or enrolled in a graduate research degree (for which RTP support is available) at UTS, and within the maximum candidature period*
- Not receiving an equivalent award or scholarship from the Commonwealth Government that is designed to offset research course tuition fees.
*A student's maximum period of RTP scholarship support is based on the student's Higher Degree by Research (HDR) course commencement date (which may or may not have occurred at a previous university, and may or may not have been supported through the RTP). If you have studied, but not completed, an HDR at UTS or another institution, please contact the Graduate Research School to confirm your remaining equivalent full-time student load (EFTSL).
About the Domestic HDR Overtime Levy
Students who commenced at UTS in or after the Autumn 2018 session and exceed their EFTSL, will be liable for the Domestic HDR Overtime Levy. Please refer to RTP Fees Offset overtime and special consideration (domestic students only) for further details. You may also be eligible to apply for a Domestic HDR overtime levy scholarship.
Tuition fees and RTP load for postgraduate research degrees are charged pro-rata, based on the number of days you’re enrolled in each research degree session and whether you’re enrolled after the research census date.
Domestic full fee-paying (postgraduate research)
You may be required to study as a domestic full tuition fee-paying (postgraduate research) student if:
- You did not receive an RTP Fees Offset place, or
- You have exceeded the maximum time allowed to complete your course.
Some domestic full tuition fee-paying (postgraduate research) students may be eligible for FEE-HELP commonwealth assistance.
International student research degree fees
If you are an international HDR student, you are required to pay tuition fees, unless they are covered by an International Research Training Program Scholarship (IRTP), or a UTS International Research Scholarship (IRS).
Tuition fees for postgraduate research degrees are charged on a pro-rata basis, based on the number of days you’re enrolled in each research degree session and whether you’re enrolled after the research census date.
Research degree sessions are as follows:
- Research Session 1 - 1 January to 30 June
- Research Session 2 - 1 July to 31 December.
Note: Tuition fees will be calculated as the number of days of candidature/number of days in research degree session x 0.5 annual tuition fee rate. This daily rate calculation applies only until the research census date. After the research census date, the full session tuition fee applies for the remainder of that session.
Other fees and costs associated with a research degree
Students can also expect to pay the on-going costs of being part of an academic environment and conducting research.
In addition to on-going costs, you’ll be required to pay a Student Services and Amenities Fee for each enrolled session.
This fee covers non-academic services for UTS students, such as recreational activities, legal advice, and access to the UTS health and counselling services.
Research students may also incur additional fees and charges relating to their research, such as travel, training and professional development costs. These fees vary from student to student and are not included in your tuition fees. Administrative fees may also be charged for other items.
Using the tuition fees search calculator
The tuition fees search allows you to search your estimated fees. You can search your tuition fees via course (the first calculator) - enter the mandatory fields to find the estimated tuition fee.
Course fees generated by the tuition fee calculator do not include the Student Services and Amenities Fee or any additional fees and charges relating to research.