Graduate research
Source: https://study.unimelb.edu.au/study-with-us/graduate-research Parent: https://study.unimelb.edu.au/
Whatever your passion, the University of Melbourne offers stimulating graduate research degrees, including PhDs, and the support you need to pursue them.
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Study at a globally leading university
- #1in Australia
- #19in the world
- #8in graduate employability
- 2500+supervisors
QS World University Rankings 2026/QS Graduate Employability 2022
Make a difference through graduate research
Belong to a globally connected research community. Collaborate with supervisors, experts and peers who share your passion for discovery and impact. As Australia’s leading research-intensive university, we'll support you to make a difference.
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Graduate research at Melbourne
Thrive in a diverse, inclusive and supportive research community.
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Access our world-class facilities and experts
Push the boundaries of your knowledge with support from our experts and premium facilities.
Graduate research scholarships
Access to financial support
Our graduate research scholarships will support you to focus on research you're passionate about. Our 700+ scholarships include fee remission, living allowance and travel, research and activity-based bursaries. You are automatically considered for scholarships when you apply.
Research Training Program scholarship
Melbourne Research scholarship
Other scholarships and financial support
Types of graduate research degrees
We offer several graduate research degrees that allow you to explore your area of interest in depth.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
To gain a PhD, you will complete a four-year full-time or equivalent part-time research project. You'll develop expert research and analytical skills. And you'll communicate the outcomes in a thesis and through an oral presentation.
To complete the degree, you must make an original and significant contribution to knowledge. A PhD is an internationally recognised qualification.
Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
The Master of Philosophy is a two-year degree in which you'll complete a substantial research project. You'll develop advanced research skills, techniques and specialist knowledge in your discipline. You'll produce a thesis.
Completion of a Master of Philosophy provides one pathway to the Doctor of Philosophy.
Find a Master of Philosophy degree
Masters by Research
Masters by Research is a two-year degree, at least two-thirds of which is devoted to research. You'll gain advanced disciplinary and research expertise and produce a major research thesis.
Find a Masters by Research degree
Find a supervisor
We're consistently ranked as a leading university around the world for research. Be guided by our experts.
Find a project
Explore the research projects listed by our experts and express interest in the opportunities that suit you.
Before you apply
Each degree has different minimum entry requirements and English language requirements. Requirements may also vary for domestic and international applicants. Before you apply, check the entry requirements for your degree and discipline.
Looking for more information?
Indigenous researchers
Join a close-knit cohort who share your challenges and motivations.
Support for Indigenous researchers
Interdisciplinary research
Collaborate with experts in other disciplines across the University.
Interdisciplinary opportunities
Research internships
Expand your professional networks and strengthen your research and transferable skills.
International joint PhD degrees
Access expertise, resources and training together with our international partner institutions.
Research support
Our services will support you throughout your research career.
Protecting your IP
Have an idea? We’ll help you protect your intellectual property.
Hear from our graduate researchers
Find out what motivated our current students to study with us, and how researching has changed their lives and careers.
In a lot of ways, I think that studying psychology has made me more creative, as it’s given me more understanding of human behaviour. \ \ \ Read more
Marnie Drake, Master of Psychology (Clinical Neuropsychology)/Doctor of Philosophy
The PhD gave me a lot of friends, stability in Australia, and it provided me with a salary for some time. It gave me so much. \ \ \ Read more
Dr Martin Reinoso, PhD in Engineering and IT
Keep reading
Life as a researcher
What is a graduate research degree like? Where can it lead you? Explore success stories from our graduate researchers who have taken paths from academia to running their own business.
Research ethics and integrity
We're committed to responsible and ethical conduct in all our research endeavours. We support that commitment with a robust system of review and comprehensive training programs.
Explore more research
Pursuit is the University's award-winning research news website. It's updated regularly with a restless focus on what occupies our lives today.