Fiance got into PHD program but without funding, should he continue applying elsewhere?

[alphabetty]

My Fiance got into the PHD program he was the keenest on, but the prof doesn't have funding for a student.

SOOO he would have to win one of the international scholarships/ Grants.

There is one for international students going abroad from Canada, there are a couple doctoral scholarships through the university, and there are the NZIDRS.

I have heard these scholarships are all very competitive so I have a feeling this offer is as good as a no. Does anyone have any similar experiences to share?

should i encourage him to keep applying elsewhere?

[eternalkiwi]

Funded TA positions for PhD students are not common in programmes I am aware of, though universities usually have a range of grants, employment and other support available to research students. The government also provides additional funding so international student pay the same fees as local students.
Partners of PhD students may also be eligible for open work visas for the same period as the PhD student visa.

Ultimately where your partner studies depends on where an appropriate sponsor for your partners research is based and what option is likely to work for you both.

[alphabetty]

Hi eternal Kiwi,

Thanks for your reply, I realize my initial question might have been a bit unclear. This prof has no funding for a student, so my Fiance's acceptance into his lab is contingent on my Fiance winning one of those scholarships. If he does not win then he cannot study there. Is that the same as the situation you are describing? is that the norm?

[eternalkiwi]

The way funding programmes work does vary between universities, though there is usually a central pool of funding university wide with faculty's having additional funding for specific aspect of study e.g. conferences. As an example Victoria University has 105 scholarships for PhD students.

I understand that teaching or research assistant positions are distributed among faculty's who then prioritise these positions across their schools and programmes. Occasionally professors or lecturers gain external research funding that includes part funding for additional staff support for small pieces of research related work; though I understand this is rare!

Funding for work or scholarships is treated separately to admission; so enrolment is usually dependant on the suitability of the candidate, their topic and availability of the sponsor; rather than being dependant on available jobs or scholarships with the University.

Shawn