# Pre-approvalprocess

**Source**: https://www.uts.edu.au/for-students/admissions-entry/how-to-apply/masters-by-research-phd/pre-application-process
**Parent**: https://www.uts.edu.au/for-students/admissions-entry/how-to-apply/international-applicants

Some faculties and programs require pre-approval before you submit a formal application.  This helps us to ensure that you are eligible for the degree and that the faculty has the expertise to support your research.

If you're planning to apply for a scholarship, we recommend starting the process at least six weeks before the [application closing dates](https://www.uts.edu.au/for-students/admissions-entry/how-to-apply/masters-by-research-phd/application-closing-dates).

- 1. Faculty of Design and Society *(Design, Architecture and Built Environment disciplines only)*
  2. Faculty of Engineering and IT
  3. Faculty of Health
  4. Faculty of Law
  5. Institute of Sustainable Futures
  6. UTS Business School
- a PhD by distance, or
- study an Industry or Impact PhD.

If you don’t fall into one of these categories, you can reach out directly to a supervisor who can organise your faculty pre-approval.

If you’re not sure what faculty or centre would suit your research, [talk to us](https://www.uts.edu.au/contact-us).

### Pre-approval processes

Use the buttons to expand or collapse the section.

- ### Faculty of Design and Society (Design, Architecture and Built Environment disciplines only)

  Before applying to study a research degree in a Design, Architecture and Built Environment (DAB)  discipline you need to gain pre-approval. First, complete the following pre-work:

  - give thought to your proposed topic and question
  - consider whether this topic is aligned with [DAB’s research strengths and priorities](https://www.uts.edu.au/about/faculty-design-architecture-and-building/research/research-expertise) and if there’s a member of the [DAB faculty](https://www.uts.edu.au/study/design-architecture-and-building/study-research-degree/find-right-supervisor) with expertise in your field
  - select a shortlist of potential preferred supervisors with relevant expertise, and
  - check that you meet eligibility criteria for a PhD or Masters by Research.

  Once you’ve completed the pre-work and found a potential supervisor, express your interest in working with them by email. Send them:

  - your academic CV ([download the UTS CV template](https://www.uts.edu.au/research-and-teaching/research-degrees/applying-uts/prepare-your-documents/uts-grs-research-degree-application-cv-template.docx))
  - a one to two-page outline of your proposed research topic which contains:

    ·       Title

    ·       Rationale

    ·       Research question

    ·       Methodology

    ·       Literature Review

  Upon securing a potential supervision, please email [DAB.HDRsupport@uts.edu.au](mailto:DAB.HDRsupport@uts.edu.au) with:

  - email evidence of supervisory agreement
  - your academic CV ([download the UTS CV template](https://www.uts.edu.au/research-and-teaching/research-degrees/applying-uts/prepare-your-documents/uts-grs-research-degree-application-cv-template.docx))
  - a one to two-page outline of your proposed research topic
- ### Faculty of Engineering & IT (FEIT)

  If you want to apply for a research degree in FEIT and a UTS competitive scholarship, you need to first receive pre-approval. You can do this by completing the following pre-assessment process.

  First, complete the following pre-work:

  - give thought to your proposed topic and question
  - consider whether this topic is aligned with our research strengths and priorities
  - research potential [preferred supervisors](https://www.uts.edu.au/research-and-teaching/graduate-research/future-research-students/apply-research-degree/find-supervisor-or-project) with relevant expertise, and
  - check that you meet eligibility criteria for a PhD or Masters by Research.

  Once you’ve completed the pre-work and found a potential supervisor, express your interest in working with them by email. Send them:

  - copies of your undergraduate and postgraduate transcripts in English, including the results for each year
  - your CV ([download a CV template – (docx, 44KB](https://www.uts.edu.au/research-and-teaching/research-degrees/applying-uts/prepare-your-documents/uts-grs-research-degree-application-cv-template.docx))), and
  - a 500 word overview of your proposed research topic.

  You may need to provide more documentation, but your potential supervisor will advise you of the next steps of the EOI (Expression of Interest) process with the faculty.
- ### Faculty of Health

  Before applying for a research degree at the Faculty of Health, all applicants require a confirmed Principal supervisor. A pre-approval process is not required if you already have a confirmed supervisor. Applicants can proceed to submit an official application for Masters or PhD here: [Masters by Research and PhD students](https://www.uts.edu.au/for-students/admissions-entry/how-to-apply/masters-by-research-phd).

  If you **do not** yet have a confirmed supervisor, please continue with the [online expression of interest (EOI) form](https://utsau.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_7OtX8zeYLuhO9Lg). This site is to register your **expression of interest** in a PhD and Master's by Research degree in the Faculty of Health and help us direct your interest to a relevant HDR supervisor.

  Before submitting this EOI, you will need:

  - Complete all details in this EOI form
  - Upload a CV in UTS format ([Gathering forms and documentation](https://www.uts.edu.au/for-students/admissions-entry/how-to-apply/research-masters-phd/gathering-forms-and-documentation))
  - Upload a Proposal in UTS format ([How to write a research proposal](https://www.uts.edu.au/for-students/admissions-entry/how-to-apply/research-masters-phd/write-research-proposal))
  - Upload any transcripts and supporting documents for this EOI.
  - If you are an International applicant, provide proof of English competency (ie. IELTS or degree in English) ([English language requirements | University of Technology Sydney](https://www.uts.edu.au/for-students/admissions-entry/eligibility/english-language-requirements))

  We collect this information to assist in aligning you with an appropriate research supervisor and School to further your discussions; it is not used in any official application or decision-making process.
- ### Faculty of Law

  The Faculty of Law runs a pre-assessment process prior to applicants lodging a formal application to the Graduate Research School. Your pre-assessment documents should be lodged at least 6 weeks in advance of the formal GRS application deadlines.

  Please visit the [Law Faculty’s Pre-Assessment](https://www.uts.edu.au/research/explore/law-research/postgraduate-law-research/how-apply-law-research-degree) page for more information.
- ### Institute for Sustainable Futures (ISF)

  Before you apply to study a research degree at the Institute for Sustainable Futures you need to gain pre-approval. You can do this by [following this application process](https://www.uts.edu.au/isf/learning/graduate-research-program/how-apply).
- ### UTS Business School

  Before you apply to study a research degree at the UTS Business School you need to gain pre-approval. You can do this by completing our [online expression of interest (EOI) form](https://busresearch.uts.edu.au/hdreoi/eoiform).

  In the EOI form, you’ll be asked to provide:

  - Your CV highlighting any research studies, projects, work completed and research outputs or publications
  - Official undergraduate and postgraduate academic transcripts in English.
  - Either:
  - a three-page research proposal including a literature review (for accounting, finance, management or marketing applicants), or
  - a one to two-page statement of interest explaining why you want to pursue a research degree (for economics applicants only).

  You’re also encouraged to provide the following non-mandatory documents:

  - English Test Certificate
  - Any completed thesis or dissertations from previous study
  - A letter of recommendation on official company letterhead and signed. Your referees may be contacted for independent letters of recommendation
  - A writing sample in English. It can be a research paper or article, preferably in the field you are applying to study.
- ### Industry and Impact PhD

  Applicants for the Industry or Impact PhD programs will need to sign an agreement with UTS and their partner organisation. Please contact the Graduate Research School to start this process.
- ### PhD by distance

  Distance mode students will need to submit an Expression of Interest form, completed alongside the supervisor, with their application. Please contact the Graduate Research School to request a copy of the form.

## Next steps

You’ll be notified of the outcome of your pre-approval by email from your potential faculty or institute. If you’ve been pre-approved you can explore funding and scholarship opportunities.

If your EOI was declined, you can find a supervisor in another part of UTS who is more aligned to your field and can support you.

### Explore