Dual Awards and Joint Awards

Dual Award and Joint Award programs enable research candidates to undertake a degree at Western Sydney University and an international partner institution and receive recognition on their degree testamur(s).

Dual Award and Joint Award programs present an opportunity to establish and enhance collaborations with international research institutions and researchers. They can provide research candidates international experience with access to the latest research equipment, advanced facilities and specialised expertise, as well as create opportunities for joint publications, provide access to new funding and enhance the University’s international research profile. The arrangement is facilitated through a Dual Award Partnership MOU between two providers.

As a research candidate you will be spending at least 12 months of your candidature at each university without adding time to your degree. Western Sydney University welcomes currently enrolled HDR candidates (outbound candidates) and international HDR candidates (inbound candidates) who wish to pursue Dual Award.

Basic difference between Dual Awards and Joint Awards

Dual Award

Dual award research degree means a Doctoral or Research Masters degree awarded by each participating institution following a collaborative program of research and an agreed examination process whereby participating institutions may agree to combine elements of their examination processes for the purposes of a Dual research award. The Candidate will be awarded a degree from each Institution upon their successful completion of the dual award degree. Each testamur will contain an acknowledgement that it has been issued under a dual program arrangement between the two Institutions and it will carry the name of the other Institution.

Joint Award

Joint research degree means a Doctoral or Research masters degree awarded jointly by the participating institutions following a collaborative program of research and examination under the rules of one institution. On successful completion of the examination a single award is made for a joint research degree conferred by the Primary Institution of enrolment. The testamur and the AHEGS will state that the award was made as a consequence of a joint research degree agreement, and it will name the Partner Institution(s).

Partner Institutions

WSU has established formal strategic partnership with several international institutions across the globe. WSU has current arrangements with the following institutions:

China

Hong Kong

India

Indonesia

Italy

Mongolia

Nepal

Sweden

Taiwan

United Kingdom

Vietnam

How to Establish a Dual Award/Cotutelle or Joint Award with a new partner institution

WSU academic staff from Schools and Institutes can express their interest in establishing a formal Dual Award/Cotutelle or Joint Award program with partner institutions.

The Cotutelle arrangements are formalised through an arrangement between the participating institutions.

The following document provides step-by-step process:

  • Process to establish Dual Award Partnership MoU with a partner institution.
  • Dual Award and Joint Higher Degree Institutional Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Template (available on request from Graduate International Partnerships Lead via grs.internationalpartnerships@westernsydney.edu.au)

You can contact the office of Graduate Research School via email for an initial discussion.

For advice and assistance with establishing a Dual Award and Joint Higher Degree Institutional Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), contact Graduate Research International Partnerships Lead via grs.internationalpartnerships@westernsydney.edu.au

For advice and assistance with establishing an Individual Candidature Agreement, contact the Graduate Research International Partnerships Lead via grs.internationalpartnerships@westernsydney.edu.au

Choose the international engagement opportunity that aligns with your goals and interests

How to apply

Step 1: Find a supervisor

You need to find a supervisor at Western Sydney University and acquire a supervisor letter of support to include in your application.

Step 2: Submit an application for admission

You need to submit an online application for admission into a program and ensure that you include all the required information and supporting documentation.

Step 3: Notify the Graduate Research School

After you have submitted your online application for admission, you need to contact the Graduate Research School to notify us that your application should be considered for Dual Award program.

Please use this online form to contact the Graduate Research School.

Important

If we do not receive all the required documentation or it is not certified correctly, the processing of your application will be delayed. Please take your time to ensure that all the requirements have been completed correctly and all required documentation is included in your application.

For questions and advice about the application process, please submit your enquiry here to contact the Graduate Research School.

More information

Refer to the Dual Award and Joint Higher Degrees Policy about the requirements and procedures.

You may also be interested in the TEQSA guidance in relation to Dual Awards and Joint Awards.