How to apply for postgraduate research

Source: https://www.sydney.edu.au/study/applying/how-to-apply/postgraduate-research.html Parent: https://www.sydney.edu.au/study/applying.html

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How to apply for postgraduate research

Pursue higher degree by research (HDR), including a PhD, a joint PhD, and master's by research or MPhil.

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Overview

A research degree is often referred to as higher degree by research (HDR) and includes the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), a joint PhD and master's by research/Master of Philosophy (MPhil).

Follow the below steps to apply for a research degree as a domestic or international research student.

Note for Sydney Law School or Business School applications

If you're interested in applying for the Sydney Law School or the Business School, you need to follow a different process. First, you apply for your course and if successful, you will be allocated a supervisor.

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Please refer to the faculty pages linked below for additional admission requirements or variations in the application process.

This is a guide and applies to most courses

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Step 1: Check your eligibility

To be eligible to pursue postgraduate research study, you'll need previous research experience and a high academic record.

Research experience

You need to have undertaken a significant research project or thesis in your previous university-level studies.

This could be the equivalent of:

an Australian honours degree
a master’s by research degree
a master’s by coursework with a thesis component (dissertation)

High academic record

We also consider your undergraduate performance. You will need a bachelor's degree with first or upper second-class honours. Below is a guide based on the University of Sydney grading system. Equivalent requirements will be determined for other institutions:

WAM of 75 over degree
Honours class I WAM greater than 80
Honours class II WAM between 75 and 80

English language skills

English language requirements depend on the course, your country of origin and educational background. Find out if you need to prove English language proficiency.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

To apply for a PhD, you need to demonstrate sufficient prior research experience and capability. In most cases, you will have either:

a bachelor's degree with first or upper second-class honours, or
a master's degree performed at a high academic standard, which includes a substantial component of research, or
an equivalent qualification that demonstrates research experience, excellence and capability.

Master’s by research/Master of Philosophy

In most cases, to apply for a master’s by research or a Master of Philosophy, you need to have one of the following:

a bachelor’s degree with first or second-class honours from the University of Sydney or another approved institution
an equivalent qualification that demonstrates sufficient research experience and capability.

Joint PhD

If you’re interested in a Joint PhD program, you need to follow the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) application steps 1-3. In addition, your proposed supervisor will need to complete a proposal to negotiate a student agreement form. If accepted, you will also be required to sign an individual student agreement. After your student agreement is finalised, you will then be sent an application form for the Joint PhD program.

Please refer to the University's Dual and Joint Degree Policy for full policy details.

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Step 2: Develop your research proposal

Carefully consider the subject of your research project and start to develop a research proposal to provide to potential academic supervisors. Your initial proposal will likely evolve, however, it is important to clearly explain your ideas about your research, show why your research is noteworthy and how it aligns with your proposed supervisor’s own research.\

Follow our guide

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Applying for a PhD or research master's degree and not sure where to start with your research proposal?

How to write a research proposal

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Step 3: Find a supervisor

Before submitting your application, you must secure a supervisor. Unless you are applying for a course in the or the , where you apply for your course first, and if successful are then allocated a supervisor.

In Sydney Profiles, research supervision opportunities/projects are on the academic's ‘research projects & activities’ tab.

To identify a potential supervisor in Sydney Profiles, on the home screen enter in the name of the supervisor, or a generic keyword to describe your area of study (for example, nano) and press enter.

Use the filters on the left-hand side of the page to narrow the results by:

Faculty and School: to refine your search results by study area
Availability: select ‘Masters Research or PhD student’

To find more relevant profiles, add extra keywords to your search using the plus symbol (for example, nano + manufacturing).

From the search results, open the relevant academic’s profile. At the top of the profile page, select the 'more' drop-down tab and choose 'research projects & activity'. The summary section on this page lists the research project opportunities currently available for that academic.

To support your enquiry, send an email describing your academic background and research experience, the topic you'd like to research and how your research project aligns with the work of your proposed supervisor. You must include your resume, academic transcripts for all degrees and your initial research proposal.

Please check your for specific faculty requirements.

Step 4: Submit your application online

Postgraduate research degree applications are open all year round, with most starting in Research Period 2 (March) and Research Period 3 (July).

However, to be considered for the RTP stipend you will need to submit your application by . You can still submit your course application past the RTP deadline but you will not receive a stipend outcome until the next round of RTP rankings.

Please check your for the research periods your faculty offers. We recommend applying as early as possible before your intended start date, and you will also need to discuss your start date with your supervisor.

International students are recommended to factor in the Department of Home Affairs visa processing times when considering a likely start date for their HDR course.

Documentation to include in your application

When you have secured a supervisor, you will discuss and refine the project together. Once your research proposal is finalised, you will need to gather the following essential documents to submit with your application.

Research proposal

In conjunction with your supervisor, you’ll finalise your research proposal of up to 2000 words, covering the objectives and significance of your research. Refer to our research proposal guidelines.
Evidence that a primary supervisor has agreed to supervise you. This could be a copy of the email correspondence showing the staff member’s agreement to supervise you. The Sydney Conservatorium of Music may require you to attend an interview.
Two referee reports using our forms (pdf | 113.7KB).

Academic documents

Official academic transcripts in the original language and English translation
Proof of English language proficiency, if English is not your first language
Curriculum vitae (CV) or resume
Any other documents, such as a portfolio of work or audition, specified in the course listing for your degree.

General documents

Proof of identity, such as a valid passport (biodata page), an Australian birth certificate or an Australian or New Zealand citizenship certificate for domestic students.
For domestic students apply for part-time study, a statement showing:
you’ll have sufficient time available to carry out the research under the supervision of the University and complete the course within the maximum period allowed for a part-time PhD enrolment
a declaration from your employer (if relevant) confirming that you will be permitted to take the time required to effectively pursue your studies.

Additional requirements for international students

If you are an international student, you will also need:\

To apply for your student visa, after you have received an offer of admission or an electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE) for an HDR course at the University.
To pay a non-refundable application processing fee. This fee is waived if you’re a sponsored student, or if you are granted an exemption by a University staff member during an office interview or recruitment event.
If you would like to apply through an authorised University of Sydney agent, we have partnered with a range of who can apply to the University and make arrangements on your behalf.

Financial assistance

Scholarships

We have one of the largest research scholarship schemes in Australia. Scholarships can be a big help in funding your research or helping you with living costs while you do your research. Some scholarships are specific to a research project or discipline, and many are assessed on academic merit and research potential.

Explore more funding opportunities for research students

Stipend scholarships

Applicants can apply for a stipend scholarship that provides an allowance to assist with living costs. These competitive stipends are awarded based on academic merit and research potential.

Scholarship applications are submitted as part of the course application process. You must complete this additional form to be eligible for the scholarships.

Domestic students

If you are a domestic student, you won't pay tuition fees. Domestic students are awarded an RTP Fees Offset under the Australian Government's Research Training Program.

International students

International students pay tuition fees. Tuition fee estimates can be found on the individual .

However, you can apply for a scholarship package that provides both a stipend scholarship to support relocation and living costs, and a tuition fee scholarship. These scholarship packages are highly competitive and have limited places.

Further information

Our frequently asked questions provide further information on our HDR courses and the application process.

You must pass health and security checks if your research involves fieldwork in the New South Wales hospital and education systems. Additional admission criteria are outlined on your .\

You may also need to apply for approval from the Animal Ethics and/or Human Research Ethics Committee.

Please also refer to your faculty or school for additional admission requirements, or variations in the application process, which may apply.