How to Apply

Entry to a higher degree by research is competitive, and dependent on the School’s available resources, capacity and expertise to supervise your topic. It is best to start at least twelve months before you wish to enrol, particularly if you also wish to apply for a scholarship.

The School of Law follows this process in assessing applications for higher degree research:

  1. Interested applicants submit an Expression of Interest (EOI),
  2. An EOI is assessed by the Director of Higher Degree Research to determine whether minimum entry requirements for the relevant degree are satisfied and whether the proposed research project appears viable,
  3. If minimum entry requirements are satisfied and the proposed research project appears viable, the School will consider whether it has the available resources, capacity and expertise to supervise the research topic,
  4. If the School has the available resources, capacity and expertise to supervise the research topic, an applicant will be invited to make a formal application and then enrol in your degree.

Expression of Interest

Your Expression of Interest should be emailed to law.research@westernsydney.edu.au and include the following:

  1. An indication of the degree for which you wish to apply.  If you are unsure about which degree is most suitable for you or your research topic, the School of Law will be able to make a recommendation based on your EOI.
  2. A Draft Research Proposal. Your draft research proposal should:
  • State your research question/theme/topic and explain why it is important,
  • Present an overview of current research on your topic.
  • Explain the methodology you will employ to undertake your research,
  • Note special resource requirements, if any, and
  • Provide a draft timeline for completion of the research.
    You should follow this Guide to Writing Your Research Proposal in preparing your draft research proposal.
  1. A Curriculum Vitae.
    The CV should include your contact details (address, phone/Skype contact and email address), education (indicating the proportion of any post graduate work by thesis), employment history, title of any scholarly academic papers you have written including  theses, and any publications. Please have pdf copies of these available, as we may request them to read prior to inviting you to make a formal application.
  2. Names of possible supervisors who have expertise in your field. You can find a list of possible supervisors and their research expertise here.
  3. Academic transcripts.
  4. Evidence of English language proficiency, if you are an international applicant.
  5. Contact details (title, name, institution, phone/Skype contact and email address) for two academic referees.
  6. Evidence of any professional experience that relates to your proposed study.

It is important that the Expression of Interest, and especially the draft research proposal, demonstrates that:

  • You satisfy minimum requirements for entry to the degree in which you are interested,
  • You have a general familiarity with the research field to which your draft research proposal relates, and
  • You have the academic aptitude and research skills necessary to complete a higher degree by research.

After submitting your Expression of Interest

If your Expression of Interest does not indicate that you meet minimum entry requirements for a higher degree by research or does not demonstrate that your proposed research project is viable, the School of Law will contact to advise that you will not be invited to make a formal application. Alternatively, you might be invited to submit a revised Expression of Interest for further consideration.

If your Expression of Interest indicates that you meet minimum entry requirements and demonstrates that your proposed research project is viable, the School of Law will consider whether it has the available resources, capacity and expertise to supervise the research project. You will be advised if the School of Law is unable to supervise your research project.

If the School of Law is able to supervise your research project, a potential supervisor will contact you to discuss your project. At this stage, the School of Law will invite you to make a provisional application to Western Sydney University. When your application is processed by the Graduate Research School, we can confirm your application and invite you to enrol in the School of Law HDR program.

Further information

Further information is available about: