University of Queensland and IIT Delhi joint PhD program with scholarship


Are you looking for an international PhD program that offers a generous scholarship, stipends, and research grants? This articles provides complete information on the UQIDAR Ph.D. program offered jointly by the University of Queensland and IIT-Delhi for Indian and international students. Details of the program structure and application procedure have been given as well.

An exciting opportunity is open for research students in India who wish to enrol in a Ph.D program that includes doing part of the program abroad in Australia, and for students in Australia who are keen on pursuing part of their Ph.D program in India. This opportunity is offered jointly by The University of Queensland (UQ) in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD) through its Academy of Research (UQIDAR). Applications are currently open till 28th March 2021 for the first intake commencing in July, from exceptional individuals with backgrounds in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, humanities, and social sciences. The second admission process is generally in October-November for the following year's January intake. Make sure that you apply well in advance for a Visa to study in UQ/IIT-D (as applicable).

UQIDAR PhD Program Banner
[Image source: created from TOI print advt. issued by the university]

About UQIDAR Ph.D. program

The four-year Ph.D program through UQIDAR allows you to study at two globally reputed universities, namely, The University of Queensland (UQ) with is a top-50 global university and the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD), which is recognized by the HRD Ministry, Govt. of India as an Institute of Eminence. The benefit of enrolling is not just the international exposure, but also that the scholarship given for the program includes a waiver on the tuition fee and you may also be eligible to receive travel funds and research grants. You get the opportunity to work on multidisciplinary projects, with research areas including health and behavioural sciences, biotechnology and biosciences, agribusiness, environment, and social sector-related issues, new technologies that can benefit people, etc.



If you are an Indian and international applicant (that is, having citizenship of another country other than Australia), you will be applying as an i-student and will be required to spend the first year of study at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi before completing one year (or more) at The University of Queensland. You will then complete the remainder of your studies at IIT-Delhi.

If you are an Australian domestic applicant, you will be applying as a q-student and will be required to spend the first year of study at The University of Queensland before completing one year (or more) at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi. You will then complete the remainder of your studies at UQ.
Industry-embedded candidates are also welcome to apply (refer to the official guidelines for application requirements for such candidates).

For awarding of the Ph.D i-students must achieve a 7.5 CGPA in coursework and q-students must achieve a GPA of at least 5.5 in any required coursework. On successfully achieving this, you will receive a jointly-awarded PhD from both, UQ and IITD.

Scholarship details

The scholarship is offered to all students who are enrolled on the UQIDAR Ph.D program for up to four years, which is the duration of the program.

For i-students, the scholarship includes a monthly stipend of Rs. 41,000/- in the first year at IITD, an annual stipend of A$28,597 in the second year at UQ and a monthly stipend of Rs. 45,000/- in the third and fourth year at IITD. You will also receive a relocation grant of A$5200 to support the return travel between Delhi and Brisbane and get an overseas Student Health Cover (this will be a single policy) for a stay in Brisbane in the second year. While the UQ tuition fee is waived for i-students, you will be required to pay the A$313 fee toward Student Services and Amenities for the year spent at UQ and also pay the IITD tuition fee for the duration of your study.

For q-students, the scholarship includes an annual stipend of A$28,597 and a relocation grant of A$2500 to support return travel between Brisbane and Delhi. You will also get UQ travel insurance for up to 12 months in Delhi. While the UQ tuition fee is waived for q-students, you will be required to pay the annual A$313 fee toward Student Services and Amenities and also pay the IITD tuition fee for the duration of your study.
Note that the amount mentioned may change later as per the currency rate.

Find Scholarships and Fellowships to study in India and abroad

Additional allowances

For both i-students and q-students, while staying at either institution, there will be other benefits that are generally offered to full-time PhD students at that institution. At IITD, you will get an additional amount as House Rent Allowance (HRA) if you opt not to stay on the campus (in the hostel), this allowance based on the existing policy of IIT Delhi for PhD students.

UQIDAR Eligibility requirements

For i-students, the minimum eligibility criteria are indicated in the table below-

UQIDAR PhD Program Eligibility for Indian Students
[Image source: official UQIDAR website]

Additional note: A high score in any national exam in your home country or any international exam (such as GRE) will be given due weightage, in place of the required public exams listed in the table above. Those who are recipients of a CSIR/UGC/DBT Research fellowship (any recognized government fellowship) are encouraged to apply.



For q-students, the minimum eligibility criteria are as follow–
  1. You must have a research Master's Degree
  2. or
  3. You should have a coursework master's degree with an overall GPA (grade point average) equivalent to 5.65 on the 7-point UQ scale, which includes a relevant research component
  4. or
  5. You should have a postgraduate degree of at least one-year full-time equivalent with an overall GPA equivalent to 5.0 on the 7-point UQ scale, as well as demonstrated research experience equivalent to honours IIA (considered on a case-by-case basis)
  6. or
  7. You should have a bachelor's degree as well as a minimum of two years' documented relevant research experience, including research publications
  8. or
  9. You should have a bachelor's degree with at least honours class IIA or equivalent from approved universities, which includes a relevant research component.

For all applicants, English proficiency is mandatory as per the requirements mentioned in the Guidelines (refer to the end of this article) and your academic degree and/or professional experience should indicate your current knowledge of the discipline in which you plan to undertake the Ph.D is current. Hence, it would be good to have completed the tertiary studies and/or any relevant professional experience within the past 10 years, that is, immediately before your entry to the Ph.D. program.

How to apply for the UQIDAR PhD program

At the outset, it should be noted that only one application form can be submitted per applicant. However, you can apply for up to two projects in that one application form. Ensure that you fulfill all the eligibility requirements before applying and have ready the required documents to upload during the online application procedure. The documents should be in English and if this is not the case, then you need to submit a copy of the original language document and an officially certified and translated copy.

In addition to relevant academic transcripts or consolidated mark sheets, you have to upload-
  1. A complete academic C.V. (refer to the official guidelines to know what should be included in the C.V.)
  2. The awards/Degree certificates from graduation/convocation
  3. Document supporting that you meet English language proficiency requirements
  4. Contact details of at least two Referees
  5. A Statement of Purpose (SOP) in response to the project(s) that you have selected
  6. Publications, if any, and any other relevant documents

Note for i-students: You must also upload relevant competitive exam scores (GATE, NET, etc) if any. Although this is not a mandatory requirement, if you do not have such a score, you should have at least two years' professional work experience.



Very important note: Make sure that you scan both the front and back pages of academic transcripts and ensure that all pages (back and front) of the academic transcript as well as of your award certificate are certified.

Select the project and apply online at UQ online application portal

After application

The applications for the UQIDAR Ph.D program will be screened and candidates will be shortlisted based on various parameters, including academic and professional background, aptitude for the selected project, etc. If your application is shortlisted, you will be intimated of the date for a Skype or telephone interview that will include supervisors from both, The University of Queensland (UQ) in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD).

Based on the interview, further shortlisting will be done and if you are selected, you need to submit a formal application through UQ's online application system. On submitting that, you will participate in an interview with the Academy Joint Admissions Sub-committee (AJAS) and undertake a written test, which is to gauge your ability to critically assess a research paper.

On successful approval of your application, you will receive a formal offer letter. Ensure that you read the instructions in the offer letter on how to accept the offer and check the fees that will be set out in the offer letter. Then login to the UQ online application portal to accept your offer and you are ready to start the UQIDAR Ph.D program.

Useful guidelines-
  • Complete guidelines, eligibility criteria, details of the coursework requirements, fees, etc: http://uqidar.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/UQIDAR-PhD-Guidelines.pdf
  • Application information for Indian students: https://uqidar.org/apply/apply-to-uqidar-i-students/
  • Application information for domestic Australian students: https://uqidar.org/apply/apply-to-uqidar-q-students/
  • Information on scholarships: http://uqidar.org/scholarships/
  • Application timelines: http://uqidar.org/when-to-apply/
  • Fee for Student Services and Amenities: https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/manage-my-program/fees-payments-and-refunds/student-services-and-amenities-fee
  • IIT Delhi Tuition fee: https://academics.iitd.ac.in/acad/circulars

Contact information for UQIDAR PhD program

The University of Queensland and Indian Institute of Technology Delhi Academy of Research (UQIDAR)
For enquiries call: +61 3443 1699
Email: uqidar@uq.edu.au
Website: https://uqidar.org/

Don't miss this opportunity to study abroad in Australia and while you wait for that offer letter, you could explore PhD programs in India


Article by Vandana
Vandana is based in India with over 15 years experience as a freelance writer. Writing, no doubt, is her primary passion! Having learned the art of blogging from ISC, Vandana is enjoying the thrills of blogging, taking pleasure in sharing information & getting good pageviews at her various blogs.

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