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Higher Degree Research Candidates

Applications for higher degree by research (HDR), including Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Master of Research (MRes) are open all year round to domestic and international applicants.

Research scholarships provide a stipend and other benefits to support candidates undertaking higher degree by research.

Step 1: Check your eligibility

You need to demonstrate that you have the skills and experience to commence independent study at a suitable level for entry into a higher degree by research.

To be eligible for admission, you must have completed at least one of the following:

  • Bachelor (Honours Class 1 or Class 2) degree
  • Master of Research degree
  • Master of Philosophy
  • A University degree or tertiary institution equivalent to the above.

If you do not meet the admission criteria, the approval of prior research experience or other qualifications is at the discretion of the relevant School Dean or Institute Director.

To be eligible for admission, you must have completed at least one of the following:

  • Bachelor (Honours Class 1 or Class 2) degree
  • Master of Research degree
  • A University degree or tertiary institution equivalent to the above.

If you do not meet the admission criteria, the approval of prior research experience or other qualifications is at the discretion of the relevant School Dean or Institute Director.

To be eligible for admission, you must have completed at least one of the following:

  • Bachelor’s degree
  • Master’s degree

You must also have achieved an admission average mark equal to or above 65 in your most recent degree.

Your admission average mark is calculated by adding all your results awarded for completed subjects in your most recent degree, and then dividing the total by the number of subjects you studied in the degree.

If your most recent degree is more than five years old, you can apply based on demonstrated professional experience in an area relevant to your proposed research.

Step 2: Prepare a research proposal

You need to demonstrate that you have a general understanding of your proposed area of research and an interest in undertaking a research project or solving a research question.

To apply for the PhD or MPhil, your research proposal should be no longer than 2,000 words. It should present your ideas in a clear and concise way that demonstrates your area of research interest and your writing ability.

Visit the how to write a research proposal guide for more information.

To apply for the MRes, you only need to write a statement of intent that is no longer than 500 words. It should highlight your research interest and why you would like to work on a project in this area.

Visit the how to write a statement of intent for more information.

Step 3: Find a supervisor

As a research candidate, you will need a supervision panel to support and guide you through your degree. You need to identify a potential research supervisor in your application.

Visit the find a supervisor for advice about how to search for a potential supervisor or who to contact for advice in our Schools and Institutes.

Our researchers receive a high volume of enquiries from applicants, so you need to make a good first impression! You should send an email to introduce yourself, describe your qualifications and experience, provide a brief overview of your area of interest, and make it clear why you want to work with the researcher.

You can significantly strengthen your application by attaching a letter of support from your proposed supervisor.

Step 4: Prepare your documentation

You will need to provide the following in your application:

  1. Certified evidence of your previous qualifications and academic transcripts for degrees completed outside Western Sydney University. Previous Western students should provide their Student ID (if available).
  1. Certified evidence of your citizenship status (e.g. passport, birth certificate, citizenship papers, etc.) or certified evidence of residency status (for Australian Permanent Residents).
  1. Evidence of English language proficiency if you completed your most recent degree outside Australia.
  1. A research proposal (PhD or MPhil) or statement of intent (MRes) that clearly identifies your area of research interest.
  1. A letter of support from your proposed supervisor.
  1. Evidence of relevant employment history, research experience or training to support your application (if applicable).

Step 5: Submit your application

You can submit your application online at any time. Please ensure you include all the required information as this will help to streamline the processing of your application.

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Frequently asked questions

The application process includes three key stages:

Stage 1: Expression of Interest

You will submit an expression of interest via the online application portal to be reviewed by the relevant School or Institute in your area of interest. If there is interest in your research proposal or statement of intent and supervision is available, you will be invited to apply.

Stage 2: Apply

The application builds on your expression of interest. You will need to answer some additional questions and upload supporting documents, but most of the information will be already prefilled from the expression of interest.

Your application will be assessed by the Admissions Team in the Graduate Research School, followed by approval at the relevant School or Institute.

Stage 3: Outcome

You will receive an outcome via email. If you are successful, you will be made an offer into your preferred program.

You can apply for a scholarship as part of your admission application. There is a question to indicate your scholarship preference in the application form.

Scholarship eligibility criteria and application periods are available via the research scholarships page.

Applications are open at any time for domestic and international applicants. Your application will be considered for the next available intake.

Scholarship application periods are available via the research scholarships page.

Yes, you need to provide a letter of support from a potential supervisor in your application. This will help us to ensure that we are resourced to support your research project.

If you do not provide a letter of support, the School or Institute may choose to try and find you a supervisor as part of the expression of interest process. However, there is a no guarantee that a supervisor will be found for you and there is a higher chance that your application will be unsuccessful.

You can contact the relevant School or Institute for advice about finding a supervisor or project. You should provide a brief overview of your qualifications, experience and area of research interest when seeking advice about supervision.

You can find a detailed guide to using our application portal in the how to apply for a research degree knowledge article.

In the online application form, you will need to choose a program from a list of research study programs. You should choose the program most closely aligned with your area of research interest.

If you’re not sure, choose the program from the School or Institute that is aligned with your proposed supervisor.

Don’t worry, if you choose the wrong program our Admissions Team will be able to update it when assessing your application.

The session is the period in which you will commence study (e.g. in the first quarter of the year). You should choose the session that is closest to your preferred research commencement date.

This might not be the session that you are able to start, but it will give us an idea of your preference when assessing your application.

The campus is the location where you will be primarily based during your candidature. You should choose the campus that is aligned with your proposed supervisor.

Don’t worry, if you choose the wrong campus our Admissions Team will be able to update it when assessing your application.

It may take 6-8 weeks to receive an outcome for your application. All applications go through a rigorous assessment and approval process to ensure that we are able to provide suitable supervision and resources to support your research project.

The easiest way to follow up on your application is to reply to one of the emails you received from the application portal that includes your application ID. If you don’t change the subject line, the email will be automatically linked to your application.

Remember that it can take 6-8 weeks to receive an outcome. If you haven’t received an update, that generally means that your application is still going through the assessment and approval process and is not an indicator that you are unsuccessful.

If you still need help, visit the Graduate Research School contact us page.

Acknowledgement of Country

With respect for Aboriginal cultural protocol and out of recognition that its campuses occupy their traditional lands, Western Sydney University acknowledges the Darug, Dharawal, Gadigal, Gundungurra and Wiradjuri peoples and thanks them for their support of its work in their lands (Greater Western Sydney and beyond).

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