How to Apply for Research Degrees at UWS
We welcome applications for admission to research higher degrees at UWS at anytime.
Admission criteria
The approval of applications for admission to research higher degrees is a two stage process that assesses your qualifications and the ability of UWS to resource your candidature.
1) Qualifications
The university must be satisfied that you are able to commence independent study at doctoral or research masters level.
The broad parameters are:
- demonstration of a capacity for the research
- proficiency in academic writing
- skills in research methodology, suitable to the topic.
Approved qualifications for doctorates (PhD, DBA, DCR, EdD, DCA and DMed) are attainment of the following:
- a masters (honours) degree; or
- a bachelor degree with honours class 1 or bachelor degree with honours class 2 division 1; or
- qualifications from a university or other tertiary institution deemed by the Dean or Director, Research Institute to be equivalent to the requirements set out above.
Qualification for Research Masters:
- a bachelor honours degree; or
- a bachelor degree, normally, and demonstration in an appropriate discipline or disciplines of a capacity for research deemed by the School or Institute Research and Higher Degrees Committee to be acceptable for the purpose of proceeding to the degree.
- in those cases where an applicant does not have a bachelor degree the School or Institute Research and Higher Degrees Committee may take into consideration professional training, relevant work experience, research or other creative output and seniority and standing in an area of endeavour; or
- qualifications from a university or other tertiary institution deemed by the School or Institute Research and Higher Degrees Committee to be equivalent to the requirements set out above.
2) Supervision and Resourcing
Qualified applicants with approved topic proposals will be considered in view of supervision (workload) and resources (access to the material/equipment necessary to undertake the research). Resolution of admission may require some negotiation of the composition of the panel and or adjustment of the topic. All Higher Degree by Research students at UWS have a supervisory panel. A panel is two or more academic supervisors, one of whom is designated as the principal supervisor. All principal supervisors are registered on the Graduate Supervisor Register.
Applicants should always discuss their plans with an academic advisor before applying. HDR Directors (or equivalent) can assist you to identify a potential supervisor.
Requirements
Please use this checklist for research applicants (PDF, 80Kb) to ensure that your application is complete and that you have attached the required certified documents.
Other attachments include the Research Admission Application Referees Report (PDF, 149Kb), and Fields of Research and National Priorities Form (PDF, 107Kb).
Research Proposal
All applicants must submit a research proposal with their application, unless they are applying for a predefined scholarship project (e.g. ARC funded scholarship). The proposal should be discussed with an academic advisor. Please take careful note of the documentation requirements.
- Advice on writing the thesis proposal (PDF, 17Kb)
Supervisor
All UWS research candidates have a panel of at least two supervisors. Please contact a School or Research Institute HDR Director (or equivalent) to begin to explore who might be an appropriate supervisor for your research.
Scholarships
Applications for scholarships are normally due 31st October each year, however, there are some scholarships made available during the year – please visit Higher Degree Research Scholarship Details for information on available higher degree research scholarships.
Endeavour International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (EIPRS) applicants must apply before 31st August in the year prior to commencement. For further information about these awards, please see Research Scholarships at UWS.
International offers may be deferred for a maximum 12 months.
To apply
Apply Online for Research Higher Degree Study at UWS (PhD, Masters Honours, Professional Doctorate) Australian Citizens, Permanent Residents and New Zealand Citizens. If successful, you may commence at any time. In addition, visit Research Degrees and Scholarships Forms.
International applicants may apply for admission at any time. The application form is available at UWS International Forms (PhD, Masters Honours, Professional Doctorate). Information on Course Fees is also available. If successful, international applicants’ enrolment for a session must commence before the corresponding census day of 31 March or 31 August.
Contact
For assistance in all admission matters, please contact student administration at sa-research@uws.edu.au or call the University on (02) 4736 0665.
