Courses

Master level research courses

Applicants are required to demonstrate that they have met the requirements of the University Policy on: Adequate Research Preparation and any other requirements for admission of the University, and (a) have a bachelor's degree of this University or equivalent qualification OR (b) have previously undertaken work, of a sufficiently high standard, towards a higher degree by research in this or another approved institution but have not submitted it for any degree AND have completed an appropriate level research proposal.

Prior to enrolment, all applicants are required to demonstrate that they have met the Postgraduate Research Language Requirement.

Master of Philosophy (MPhil)

Approval for admission to a MPhil requires an applicant to demonstrate that they have sufficient background and experience in independent supervised research to successfully complete the course, and that the University has the appropriate supervision and resourcing available. The Master of Philosophy is a 100% research degree is limited to 2 years full-time enrolment.

Master of Philosophy [00710]

Other Master level research courses are available with specialisation or a creative component or coursework are available.

Master of Advanced Social Work [10750] research only
Master of Architecture (Design) [25760] research only
Master of Curatorial Studies in Fine Arts [25770] research only
Master of Fine Arts [25740] research only
Master of Forensic Anthropology [50770] research only
Master of Health Professions Eduation [90670] thesis and coursework
Master of Music [10720] research only

Doctoral level research courses

Applicants are required to demonstrate that they have met the requirements of the University Policy on: Adequate Research Preparation and any other requirements for admission of the University, and (a) have a bachelor's degree of this University or equivalent qualification; OR (b) have previously undertaken work, of a sufficiently high standard, towards a higher degree by research in this or another approved institution but have not submitted it for any degree AND have completed an appropriate level research proposal.  

A student who wishes to undertake a PhD in the field of creative writing must, in addition, submit a substantial folio of published creative work, normally in the form of one or more books.

Prior to enrolment, all applicants are required to demonstrate that they have met the Postgraduate Research Language Requirement.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Approval for admission to a PhD requires an applicant to demonstrate that they have sufficient background and experience in independent supervised research to successfully complete the course, and the University to ensure that appropriate supervision and resourcing are available.

Doctor of Philosophy [00810]

Combined courses

Applicants to these courses must be accepted into the Master level course before approval to the combined PhD course.

Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Clinical Audiology [00840]
Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Clinical Neuropsychology [01890/54590]
Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Clinical Psychology [01870/54570
Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Industrial and Organisational Psychology [01880/54580]
Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Infectious Diseases [01810/52520]

Professional doctorates

Doctor of Architecture (Design) [25920]
Doctor of Education [30810]
Doctor of Juridical Science [20810]
Doctor of Musical Arts [10490]

Joint PhD program with Nagoya University

Future students enrolling in Agricultural Sciences may be interested in participating in a joint PhD program with Nagoya University.

The International Collaborative Program in Agricultural Sciences between Nagoya University and UWA was established in 2018.

 

 

How to apply

1. Determine whether you meet the entry criteria

UWA is internationally recognised and ranked in the top 100 universities world-wide, and as such, we aim to attract the highest calibre research students to engage in research that is relevant and world-leading.

Applicants must meet the admissions requirements which include:

A)  Academic merit. The minimum academic requirement for admission to a HDR course is:

• a Bachelor Honours Degree (AQF Level 8) with an overall result of Upper Second Class (H2A) from an Australian higher education institution or equivalent; or
• a Master's Degree (AQF Level 9) with an overall result of Distinction from an Australian higher education institution or equivalent; or
• a qualification and additional demonstrable experience that is assessed to be of a standard comparable to a Bachelor Honours Degree (AQF Level 8) with Upper Second Class (H2A).

At UWA the Honours result of H2A can be compared to a Distinction or WAM 70+.

For scholarship applicants, a higher admission requirement to those listed above is required and is published accordingly.

B)  Adequate research preparation. This may be demonstrated by having undertaken supervised individual research with evidence that the applicant has designed and conducted a scholarly investigation in the context of an existing body of knowledge, critically analysed and evaluated the outcome in that context, and communicated the process effectively in writing, in at least one of the following forms:

• by completing a Bachelor Honours degree or Master's degree or Postgraduate degree described above, with a supervised research thesis project carrying the equivalent credit of at least 25 per cent of an annual full-time load, with a thesis mark awarded at or above a comparable UWA Distinction level; or
• by having previously undertaken work towards a Master's degree or a Doctoral degree with a research component at a standard acceptable to the Board; or
• by providing evidence of research preparation gained in the course of an occupation since graduation at a standard acceptable to the Board; or
• by producing scholarly papers as sole or primary author, that appear in recognised academic journals or in volumes published by recognised academic publishers; or
• by producing research reports for industry, government or business, as sole or primary author, which adhere to the broad conventions of academic publishing (i.e. contain a review of relevant literature, a description of relevant research methods and an evaluation of results); or
• by presenting a portfolio of published creative work together with published critical discussion of some or all of that work, or of a comparable body of work by others, and which demonstrates the applicant's development of a scholarly approach to creative work as research investigation.
  

(C)  English language competency. The required level of English for HDR courses is higher than undergraduate & postgraduate coursework degrees. You must check the required qualification for the specific course or school as there are different specifications.

(D)  Research. You will be asked to submit a summary of your proposed research that may be discussed with your academic supervisor.

2. Search for potential academic supervisors in your field of interest

The role of a supervisor is to guide you to develop your own research.

You will need to identify potential academic supervisors and be informed about their research. There needs to be a good alignment between their area of expertise and your research project.

Search the UWA Research Repository to identify potential supervisors in your field of interest.

Use the UWA People Finder to locate the contact details of your identified potential academic supervisor.

To seek supervision, contact potential supervisors directly with your CV, a brief outline of research and academic transcripts. You may be required to meet with or be interviewed by a nominated supervisor.

For a variety of reasons (eg insufficient research/grades, lack of capacity), not all prospective students will be successful in finding a willing supervisor.

3. Lodge your application

There is no cost involved in lodging an application.

Once you have confirmed academic supervision is available, and identified your financial support, you may start your application for admission via the online HDR Application Portal.

Documents to prepare for your application include:
- a high quality colour scan (front and back) of the academic transcript for each degree including the grading scale,
- a high quality colour scan of the degree certificate of each degree,
- if your degree is not complete, then provide recent academic documents,
- an official English translated version of those academic documents not in English,
- a resume,
- a copy of your research thesis or other documents that meet the adequate research preparation requirement
- if your thesis is not in English, a translated version (this does not need to be officially translated)
- a summary of your intended research,
- if you hold a sponsorship or scholarship, supporting financial guarantee documentation.

Scholarship applications:

Scholarships that includes both tuition fee and living allowance stipend scholarships are available for application during the open general round. The 2023 scholarship rounds have now closed and the dates of next available open round will be advertised at Research Scholarships. The likely dates will be:
- International Scholarship Round - July to August 2024
- Domestic Scholarship Round - September to October 2024.

4. Approval

After assessment, your application will be sent to the designated teaching School for consideration. The Graduate Research Coordinator in the School, will evaluate your research preparation, and the required funding and resources for the project, and the availability of appropriate supervision. The School will make a recommendation to the Graduate Research School as to whether UWA can provide a place in the course.

The Dean of the Graduate Research School will consider the recommendation for admission.

5. Offer and enrolment

Successful applicants will receive an offer letter that sets out the terms of admission and enrolment in your degree.

Enrolment can take place any time during the year, with the exception of December and January.

Need help?

Search askUWA FAQs or contact the Graduate Research School via askUWA.