Research programs

1. Familiarise yourself with the eligibility criteria and how to apply process.
2. Review potential research scholarships and their closing dates.
3. Determine your method of application from the table below.
4. Check and complete the selection tasks (if applicable) by the relevant closing date (local applicants and applicants studying outside Australia only) – these tasks will be listed in the program entry requirements.
5. Complete and submit your application.

Applying for a PhD or Master by Research program

There are two methods of application depending on your residency type and location of study.

Applying for a scholarship

Scholarship applications are now closed. 

Vice-Chancellor’s PhD Scholarship (VCPS)

Top ranked applicants in the main scholarship round will be contacted to provide further information if eligible to be considered for a VCPS.

Application closing dates

Domestic applicants

Domestic applicants seeking admission to candidature only can expect to receive advice of the outcome of their application within six weeks of receipt of their application by the School of Graduate Research.

International applicants 

International admissions are available to commence at the start of any month (subject to School approval).

To secure your place, you must accept the offer received and enrol by census date of the month you wish to start.

Applicants are encouraged to apply 3-4 months prior to the program commencement date. Places are offered subject to availability.

Preparing your application

Our application process asks you for evidence of your ability to complete a research degree and details of your previous professional experience and formal qualifications so that your application can be properly assessed.

• Professional experience: Provide details (including duration) of any professional experience, previous and current, relevant to your application. You can also include details of relevant professional development such as workshops and conferences.
• Publication details and/or folio: If you have authored, exhibited or produced works relevant to your application please provide full details of the publication or exhibition including level of authorship, extent of involvement and whether the work was refereed, assessed or judged. Attach the front page for text publications or the relevant page of an exhibition catalogue or program.
• Research experience: Please provide details of any research experience relevant to your application. Research experience can include involvement in other forms of original work, authorship and creativity. If any of the qualifications you list involve research please provide specific details.

Ensure that you include the required certified copies of all supporting documents, your research proposal and any additional documentation requested (i.e. selection tasks etc.) before you submit your application.

Selection process

Admission to candidature

All applications will be assessed against the entry criteria for higher degrees by research. For further details on the entry criteria for the research program you are seeking admission to, please refer to the academic entry requirements web page.

Australian Sanctions Laws – International applicants

RMIT University is subject to Australian sanctions laws that may affect your eligibility to enrol in particular programs. All international applicants from sanctioned countries who have been found eligible for admission into a research program will be assessed against the sanctions legislation to determine whether an application:

• does not present a significant risk of a breach of sanctions legislation and may be considered for admission
• clearly presents a significant risk of a breach of sanctions legislation, and that the application must be denied
• presents a significant risk of a breach of sanctions legislation, but such compelling circumstances exist that the application should be submitted to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for further advice and consideration.

Applicants from sanctioned countries are encouraged to apply early and allow additional time for the review of their application.

For more information about Australian sanctions laws, including how they are implemented and enforced and the countries affected, please visit the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

Contact

Admission enquiries

HDR Admissions Officer
Email: sgr.admissions@rmit.edu.au
Phone: +61 3 9925 5570

Scholarship enquiries

HDR Scholarships Officer
Email: sgr.scholarships@rmit.edu.au
Phone: +61 3 9925 5570