At Murdoch, you can apply for a postgraduate research degree throughout the year. If your degree involves a standalone research project (such as a PhD), you'll be able to commence at any time of year. If your degree includes coursework, you’ll need to commence at the beginning of semester.
Before you apply to complete a research degree, please ensure that:
- You’re eligible to apply. Make sure to also check the course pages for course-specific requirements.
- If you’re an international student, you’ve submitted an expression of interest and been invited to apply for a research degree.
- You've found a potential supervisor.
- You’re clear on your research topic and have written your research proposal.
How to apply
1. Download and complete an application form
2. Outline your work and research experience
Please include a copy of your latest curriculum vitae (CV) with your application.
If you don't have an honours degree (and aren’t completing an honours degree in the current year), you'll need to provide evidence in relation to other criteria, such as:
- evidence of a major thesis (of approximately 6 months duration)
- evidence of research experience that may be equivalent to a major thesis
- examiners’ reports of any dissertation or thesis
- evidence of any merit honours
- evidence of fellowship or professional memberships
- a list of any publications, including work that you have done individually or with others. You should include the title, authorship (indicate your contribution, if it is a joint publication), type of publication (e.g. journal article, conference paper, performance, website), whether it is an academically refereed publication, and how the item contributes to your proposed thesis.
These criteria don't always apply to art, design or other performance-based programs. You could instead clearly outline and explain your role in international or national programs, such as exhibitions, performances or productions.
3. Contact your referees
Depending on the type of research degree you're applying for, you need to ask either academic and/or professional referees to provide us with a statement outlining your suitability for admission to the degree. Your referees should preferably be senior academics that are familiar with your most recent work and in a position to comment on your future potential for research and contribution to your area of interest.
Please forward the relevant form below to your nominated referees:
This document is strictly confidential – each referee should send the completed form directly to the Graduate Research School. The referee reports must be received by our Graduate Research School before your application deadline, so make sure to allow plenty of time to complete this step.
Exceptions and alternatives for referees
If you're applying for a combined Master of Applied Psychology and PhD, your referees will instead need to complete the relevant form below:
If you're applying for a Doctor of Psychology, you only need to list your referees in your application, rather than ask them to provide reports.
If you're applying for a Master of Education – Research, referee reports are also not required.
4. Compile your supporting documents
Your application needs to include original or certified copies of your supporting documentation.
If you’re applying as a domestic student, you’ll need to provide:
- original or certified copies of your academic transcripts and certificates
- a certified copy of your Australian passport or birth certificate (if born in Australia), or a certified copy of your Australian passport, Australian Permanent Resident Visa or Australian/New Zealand Citizenship (if born overseas)
If you’re applying as an international student, you’ll need to provide:
- original or certified copies of your academic transcripts and certificates, including keys to the grading system used (if obtained overseas) and a certified English translation (if not already in English)
- a certified copy of your passport or birth certificate
- a certified copy of your English test scores (if applicable) to demonstrate English language proficiency
When you arrive in Perth, you can provide your original documentation to our Graduate Research School. Our Graduate Research School can certify your documents for our internal use only.
If any of your transcripts or certificates are in former name, you'll need a certified copy of your marriage certificate or evidence of a legal change of name.
5. Submit your application
Submit your application form, curriculum vitae, research proposal and supporting documents via email, post or in-person to the Graduate Research School.
If you have any pending results from recently completed studies (such as your honours thesis), please send us your official transcripts as soon as they become available.
