Ensure you meet the selection criteria

• PhD entry requirements and regulations
  Completing the application form is one of the final steps in the process. Please read through the Application Checklist before proceeding with your application.
  In addition to the Graduate Research Degrees University requirements, the GSHSS requires applicants to submit a 2,500 word thesis proposal and 5,000 word writing sample (details below).
• Masters by Research entry requirements and regulations, if you do not meet the requirements, please refer to the Future Students Research website for further information about programs and pathways.
• All applications must also satisfy the University's English Language Requirements.

Prior to submitting an application, you will need to research potential supervisors and establish whether supervision is likely to be available for your proposed research.

Your application must be recommended by the relevant School. This indicates that the School concerned is satisfied with your academic background, that your research topic is deemed suitable, and that adequate supervision for your topic is available.

Please note: Some Schools have additional special application requirements. See the specific course description in the relevant area of study material under Graduate Research study areas webpage, or visit the University Handbook for further information.

To assist you in researching potential supervisors, the University's Find an Expert website lists the contact details and research areas and enables you to search by topic, name, faculty or school. The Academic Staff page provides links to School staff information.

Research proposal

A research proposal is viewed as being as significant as your academic marks; a research degree application cannot be assessed without a research proposal, even if your marks are high.

The research proposal is a statement of what you want to research. A research proposal is not a statement of your beliefs or of something you want to prove, it is a topic or question that you wish to examine objectively. It must focus on a particular issue or research question; the research proposal should not rely on a discipline in which you are not trained.

The research proposal is the starting point for your thesis. It should include a brief introduction and conclusion, and the following outline:

• The specific area of your intended research, with a clear title.
• A brief summary of the key literature in this field. A comprehensive literature review is not required, but a short bibliography and summary of key relevant works should be included.
• A sketch of the key research questions you hope to answer.
• A description of the methodology required to conduct this research.
• The word length of the thesis proposal should be approximately 2,500 words long.

This information will assist the School selection committee to make a qualitative assessment amongst the many applications received for available places. It will also enable the School selection committee to ensure that appropriate expert supervision is available, as well as the resources necessary to facilitate your proposed research.

The School selection committee recognises that it is common for research proposals to go through different stages of development, and your proposal is considered indicative, rather than binding, in all details.

Writing sample

To further assist in the selection process, you are required to provide a 5,000 word sample of your recent work. For example, this might be one or two chapters from an Honours thesis, or a recent essay or paper that you think demonstrates your research and writing abilities.

Please provide a very brief explanation of the context, i.e., whether this is a chapter from your thesis, or a 4th year essay, or a paper writing in a particular context.

Ensure both documents are labeled with your name, the School to which you are applying and the date.

You will be advised to proceed with an application should supervision be available.

When you have confirmation that supervision is available, you may proceed with your application.

Apply using the University of Melbourne's on-line application forms.

Australian students

• Complete the Application for Admission to Graduate Research Degree Candidature and Scholarship form.
• Submit by the application deadline.

International students

• International students can apply for a research degree any time during the year. Please see the University's Future Students website to find out more about important dates, visas, how to apply and related information.
• Complete the Application for Admission to Graduate Research Degree Candidature and Scholarship form or apply through one of the University of Melbourne's overseas representatives.

Please also visit the Scholarships and Prizes, Application Deadlines and Fees pages.