Admission
General requirements
- Residency
- Applicants based at approved outside institutions
- Part-time candidature
- Employment restrictions on full-time candidates
- Research assistants
Application procedures
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Applications from Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens and Permanent Residents
- Applications from International students
Minimum standards for entry to the PhD
PhD applicants will be assessed using the criteria described below. The measures include an assessment of a candidate's knowledge of the discipline and evidence of their ability to complete a rigorous research project. Applicants are required to meet the minimum standards described for each of the 6 measures.
In exceptional circumstances, the RHD Committee may consider for admission a person who does not have qualifications equivalent to a four-year honours degree, if it is satisfied that the person's experience in research and the results of that experience, are so outstanding that the person is likely to have the ability to pursue the course successfully (Prescription 2). In such cases, or where the other minimum standards as specified below are not all met, the department (with faculty endorsement) may present a case for admittance, including relevant evidence, to the Chair, Research Higher Degrees Committee.
Normally, the evidence of such equivalence would take the form of a research publication record and/or additional significant research experience that would be equivalent to a fourth year. In the case of a three-year honours degree from the United Kingdom the sponsoring Department may also provide evidence about the quality of the institution and the quality of the degree, compared with a four-year honours degree.
Criteria for assessing applicants eligibility for PhD candidature |
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Criteria |
Description |
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Applicants are normally required to have completed at least a four-year honours degree at H2A standard from an Australian university, or a qualification or combination of qualifications considered by the RHD Committee to be equivalent. For particular disciplines applicants are also required to complete, at an appropriate level, a Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) or a Graduate Record Entry (GRE) test. |
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Applicants should have achieved an overall H1 (80-100%) or H2A (75-79%) grade in the relevant honours or masters degree. Applicants who have completed certain professional degrees such as MBBS, BVetSci, LLB and BPhysio will be assessed individually. |
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The completed degree must be in an area that is relevant to the intended PhD, including sufficient specialisation such that the applicant will have already developed an understanding and appreciation of a body of knowledge relevant to the intended PhD. |
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Applicants are normally required to have completed a research project/component that accounts for at least 25% of their year's work at 4th year or at masters level. |
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The applicant's degree/s and/or professional experience must demonstrate that their knowledge of the discipline in which they plan to undertake their research higher degree is current. It is therefore expected that an applicant will have completed their tertiary studies and/or any relevant professional experience in the 10 years immediately prior to their intended entry to the PhD. |
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Based on interview or other communication, an assessment should be made of the level of understanding, motivation and time commitment of the student for the proposed program of study. For example, a full-time student would be expected to devote at least 40 hours a week and a part-time student about half of this. |
English language requirements
Applicants must also meet the University's English language entry requirements in accordance with Regulation 11.1R3 - Principles of Selection for entry to courses. A summary of the requirements is below.
Applicants may satisfy the English language requirements for admission to the University in the following ways:
- satisfactorily completed English studies in the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) at a level specified by the Academic Board for the course for which application is made;
- satisfactorily completed English studies in a secondary qualification in a State or Territory of Australia (other than Victoria) or New Zealand at a level deemed by the Academic Board to be at least equivalent to that required of applicants for the course who have completed the VCE;
- satisfactorily completed English or English B in the International Baccalaureate at grade 5 or higher if taken at Standard Level, or grade 4 or higher if taken at Higher Level;
- satisfactorily completed the final two years of secondary studies in an approved Secondary School with English as the medium of instruction and gained a pass in English in final year;
- in an institution where English is the language of instruction and assessment for the entire institution: either, within the last two years satisfactorily completed at least first year of a tertiary course; or within the last five years satisfactorily completed at least a two year tertiary degree;
- obtained the minimum score, as specified by the Faculty in the following table, in the American Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), including Test of Written English, or in the computer based TOEFL, or in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) at a sitting in the twenty-four months preceding application. Certified copies and TOEFL examiner's score records are not accepted.
- satisfactorily completed additional English language studies of more than one year which, in the opinion of the Selection Committee, are at least the equivalent of completion of TOEFL or IELTS at the levels specified.
The minimum scores required by the faculties for TOEFL,TWE and IELTS are as follows:
Faculty |
TOEFL |
IELTS |
Computer TOEFL |
Architecture, Building and Planning |
577 + TWE 4.5 |
6.5 (written 6.0) |
233 + 4.5 essay rating |
Arts |
600 + TWE 5.0 |
7.0 (written 7.0 with no band less than 6.0) |
250 + 5.0 essay rating |
Economics and Commerce |
577 + TWE 5.0 |
7.0 ( written 7.0 with no band less than 6.0) |
250 + 5.0 essay rating |
Education |
600 + TWE 5.0 |
7.0 (written 7.0) |
250 + 5.0 essay rating |
Engineering |
577 + TWE 4.5 |
6.5 (written 6.0) |
233 + 4.5 essay rating |
Institute of Land and Food Resources |
577 + TWE 4.5 |
6.5 (written 6.0) |
233 + 4.5 essay rating |
Melbourne Business School |
577 + TWE 4.5 |
6.5 (written 6.0) |
233 + 4.5 essay rating |
Law |
600 + TWE 5.0 |
7.0 (written 7.0) |
250 + 5.0 essay rating |
Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences |
577 + TWE 4.5 |
6.5 (written 6.0) |
233 + 4.5 essay rating |
School of Dental Science |
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7.0 (written 7.0) |
250 + 5.0 essay rating |
Physiotherapy |
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7.0 (written 7.0) |
250 + 5.0 essay rating |
Music |
577 + TWE 4.5 |
6.5 (written 6.0) |
233 + 4.5 essay rating |
Science |
577 + TWE 4.5 |
6.5 (written 6.0) |
233 + 4.5 essay rating |
Veterinary Science |
577 + TWE 4.5 |
6.5 (written 6.0) |
233 + 4.5 essay rating |
Victorian College of the Arts |
577 + TWE 4.5 |
6.5 (written 6.0) |
233 + 4.5 essay rating |
Postgraduate Course Fee
International Students
The course fees for international students can be found on the University of Melbourne international student tuition fees page at http://www.futurestudents.unimelb.edu.au/int/fees/index.html. International students are offered a range of scholarships, including full and part-fee remission of course fees. International research students without a fee remission scholarship are charged tuition fees on a daily pro-rata basis.
Australian and New Zealand citizens and Australian Permanent Residents
PhD courses are offered on a Research Training Scheme (RTS) basis only. The RTS provides Commonwealth-funded Higher Degree Research (HDR) students with an 'entitlement' to a fee exemption for the duration of an accredited HDR course. Funding is provided for a maximum of 4 years full-time (8 years part-time) for a PhD and 2 years full-time (4 years part-time) for a Masters by research. (Local PhD students who enrolled before September 2000 remain entitled to a fee exemption for up to 5 years full-time equivalent study). The University may elect to impose fees on students who wish to remain enrolled after exhausting their entitlement.
For more information refer to the Australian Government's RTS website.
General requirements
Residency
All PhD candidates are required to complete the equivalent of at least 12 months full-time (24 months part-time) advanced study and research in the University unless studying at an approved outside institution (see below). The Research Higher Degrees Committee will not approve entirely distance supervision or entirely on-line supervision for research higher degree students.
Throughout their candidature candidates are expected to attend the University in order to benefit from planning, conducting and writing up their research within a University community and environment.
The residency requirement is deemed especially important during the period of probationary candidature. During probationary candidature the student is expected to interact on a regular basis with the supervisor, the department (including staff and other research students) and the University, so as:
- to build the skills and knowledge necessary to carry out the proposed research program
- to acquire an understanding of the standards and requirements for a PhD awarded by the University
- to make use of support programs and facilities provided by the School of Graduate Research throughout candidature.
Under certain circumstances permission will be given to fulfil the residency requirements by means of two or more short periods of residency totalling into 12 months full-time (or 24 months part-time). Time spent on approved fieldwork or other off-campus studies for a period of less than three months may be approved by the RHD Committee as part of the minimum period of residency. Application for non-consecutive periods of residency must be made to the RHD Committee. The application should include:
- a statement of reasons for the application
- a detailed timetable stating how the residency requirement will be met by the combined short periods
- a letter signed by the supervisor and head of department.
Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) and Melbourne Research Scholarship (MRS) holders will usually live within reasonable commuting distance from campus for the duration of their award. APA and MRS holders are entitled to apply for periods of up to 12 months study away. Refer to APA/MRS condition booklet.
In exceptional circumstances, and where an applicant already has a proven professional background in the area of research, application may be made to meet the equivalence of the residency requirement. A case may be made to the RHD Committee and must be supported by the nominated supervisors and head of department. The application should include:
- capabilities of applicant, details of proven research skills and professional background
- a statement of commitment to attend the University for face-to-face meetings with the supervisor and meet other expectations as identified at least at commencement, at 6 months, at 12 months and annually thereafter
- a plan detailing the commitment and agreed upon expectations.
The above face-to-face intervals are a minimum only and these meetings need to take place in the Department. Applications, where the applicants meet these requirements, will not be automatically approved.
At commencement the candidate and supervisor will clarify expectations and complete the Checklist for Research Students and their Supervisors – Research Integrity and the Responsible Conduct of Research.
At 6 months progress will be reviewed and at 12 months the candidate will give a presentation for confirmation of candidature and attend the Confirmation Committee meeting. Annual visits thereafter will include a presentation in the Department and include a Completion Seminar.
Meeting the attendance requirements and other expectations will be a hurdle requirement for confirmation of candidature. All other attendance must be monitored and signed off by supervisors for progress reporting. Documentation of visits must be maintained and as e-portfolios are developed recorded appropriately.
Applicants based at approved outside institutions
Candidates may be permitted to base their research entirely at certain approved research institutions. Candidates based at an outside institution must report on their progress to the RHD Committee through the department in which they are enrolled, and take part in graduate seminars and other activities, as required by the department.
Departments should refer to Section F for the List of Approved Outside Institutions, Guidelines for Supervision of PhD candidates Based at Outside Institutions and for the Procedure to add an Institution to the Approved List.
Part-time candidature
An applicant for admission as a part-time candidate must satisfy the head of department and supervisor that adequate time is available to devote to their PhD work and to maintain regular contact with the supervisor and department.
Periods of probationary and confirmed candidature for part-time candidates are twice those set for full-time candidates.
Part-time APA/MRS scholarships are available only to applicants who can demonstrate compelling social reasons for part-time study.
International PhD candidates should be aware that student visas are for full-time study only.
Employment restrictions on full-time candidates
A PhD program at the University of Melbourne is a demanding undertaking requiring performance to the full extent of the candidate's ability. It is therefore expected to be a full-time commitment unless enrolment is part-time. In some instances, the candidate, in consultation with their supervisor and head of department might determine that additional coursework subjects will assist in their PhD research program. Application should be made on the Application for Adding and Deleting Additional Subjects form in these cases.
Professional development is considered an integral part of the PhD training program, and might include tutoring or demonstrating. The University of Melbourne does not stipulate the maximum hours to be worked, but recommends, as a guide, that more than 6 hours per week across the year, during normal working hours would be undesirable. Where sessional teaching is undertaken, it should be understood that the initial tutorial will include two hours of preparation and marking. Repeat tutorials involve one additional hour.
No other commitments should impact on the time commitment to the PhD program. It is the responsibility of the supervisor, head of department and student to ensure that paid work will not jeopardise the completion of the course of study in the time allowed.
Research assistants
Full-time Research Assistants within the University of Melbourne may enrol in the PhD part-time if their nominated supervisor(s) provide a statement with the application form covering the following points:
- that the candidate would have sufficient time to undertake independent research towards their PhD
- the relationship of the proposed thesis research to the applicant's employment, bearing in mind the
- independent nature of PhD research
- that the candidate would complete the program in the required time.
PhD candidates freed by employers for full-time research
Eligible applicants for PhD candidature who are in full-time employment must satisfy the head of department and supervisor, by way of confirmation in writing from their employer, that the following conditions can be met:
- the complete freedom of the candidate from all duties other than research for the degree, including attendance at the candidate's normal place of employment;
- the vesting in the University of power to regulate all aspects of the student's candidature and to do so at the University's discretion.
Application procedures
Applicants for PhD candidature should obtain information from the Head of Department (or postgraduate co-ordinator) about the department's research activities and potential supervisors who are qualified and available to accept PhD candidates for supervision, prior to lodging a formal application. (Refer to Prescription 4).
Applications from Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens and Permanent Residents
An Application for Acceptance as a Probationary Candidate for Degree of Doctor of Philosophy must be lodged through the department postgraduate co-ordinator. The Notification of Lodgement slip, which is provided with the application form, should also be completed by the applicant and sent to the School of Graduate Research when the application form is submitted. The lodgement slip enables the School of Graduate Research to monitor the progress of applications. The application must be approved by the Supervisor/s, head of department, Dean of Faculty and the Chair of the RHD Committee. Applicants are required to meet the English language requirements (refer Entry Requirements). The official letter of offer is prepared by the School of Graduate Research and contains advice on enrolment procedures. (Refer to Enrolment).
Applications from International students
New international students should complete an Application for Admission as an International Postgraduate Student and return the form to the International Office. The application for candidature also includes an application for scholarships. Applicants are required to meet the English language requirements (refer Entry Requirements).
Joint department applicants
Cross-disciplinary research applicants may be offered a joint enrolment in more than one department. In such cases the application form provides for the nomination of the department which will take primary responsibility for administering the candidature.
Applications for a Cotutelle arrangement
Applicants wishing to be admitted under a Cotutelle arrangement must also complete the Application for the French-Australian PhD in Cotutelle application form. The form requires information on collaboration, supervision, residency at each institution, proposed form of examination, arrangements for fees, details of scholarship/stipend and travel support for candidate, funding arrangements for travel for supervisors/examiners. Before a Cotutelle arrangement can be approved, an applicant must be approved as an eligible candidate for the PhD degree.
Transfer from masters by research candidature
Students who have completed 6 months or more of research for a Masters (by research) degree at this University and who are qualified for admission to the PhD program may be admitted to confirmed PhD candidature. An unfinished masters degree or other doctorate normally cannot contribute to meeting the eligibility requirements for admission into the PhD. Candidates are required to undertake the same confirmation process as probationary PhD candidates. (Refer Probationary status and confirmation of candidature). Candidates are encouraged to apply within 6 to 12 months of masters candidature and must lodge an Application for Conversion from the Degree of Masters (by research) to Doctor of Philosophy through the department postgraduate co-ordinator.
The PhD candidature will normally be regarded as a continuation of the same program of study, and the PhD commencement date will be backdated to the commencement date of the Masters degree.
International Masters candidates should check that their visa and sponsored funding arrangements do not impose any restrictions to undertaking a PhD.
Transfer of PhD candidature from another institution
PhD students at other institutions who wish to transfer their candidature to The University of Melbourne must satisfy all the requirements of this University's PhD regulations. Candidates apply on the Application for Acceptance as a Probationary Candidate for Degree of Doctor of Philosophy form. Departments may make a case on an individual basis for the probationary period to be reduced, or recommend admittance into confirmed candidature, on the basis of work completed at another institution. Normally, the residency requirement of one year full-time would still be imposed.
Under the provisions of the Research Training Scheme (RTS) Commonwealth-funded Higher Degree Research candidates transferring their candidature are required to have the time they were enrolled at their previous university included in the maximum time available, up to a maximum period of four years full-time or eight years part-time equivalent study for a PhD.
The University of Melbourne allows a maximum term of PhD candidature of three years (for full-time candidates). If necessary, candidates may apply for a maximum of two extensions of six months. Part-time candidates have a maximum term of candidature of 6 years, and may apply for a maximum of two twelve-month (part-time) extensions. Further extensions beyond four years will only be granted in exceptional circumstances. The University may elect to impose fees on students who have exhausted their entitlement.
Police check for clinical placements
Organisations which host clinical placements or field experience may require students to have obtained a police check regarding their suitability to undertake such placements. Enrolled and prospective students are advised that they may be required to obtain and pay for a police check prior to undertaking the clinical placements or field experience in their course. The fee is approximately $12.00.