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Applying

Am I eligible to apply?

Entry to a PhD program requires a clear demonstration of research capacity, met either through a first class Bachelors Honours Degree with a thesis component, or a Masters Degree (by coursework) with a substantial thesis component, or extensive previous research and scholarly publication. Prospective candidates with an Honours lower than first class will need to provide evidence of other research/publication of a high standard.

For a Masters by Research program, a clear demonstration of research potential is an entry requirement, met either through a Bachelors Honours degree, at Class 1 or Class 2(1), or an equivalent qualification, or through the completion of a Graduate Diploma/Certificate, or a Masters Degree (by coursework) with a distinction average and which has a substantial research component, meaning a research project of at least 10,000 words that constitutes at least 1/8 of the total assessment for the degree.

It is to be noted that a Masters by Research degree may be upgraded to a PhD. This is subject to a progress review at the end of your first year and recommendations supporting an upgrade.

For those seeking to apply with degrees from overseas, we require the equivalent to the Australian results above. We understand that to establish equivalence can be difficult and that different places use different marking scales. To give you a guide, a First Class Honours degree in our School is awarded at 85% or above, an Upper-Second Class degree at 75-84%, in a system where 50% is the Pass mark. Please be prepared to demonstrate through appropriate documentation of how your results compare to Australian honours results.

Applicants also need to be able to demonstrate that they have previous experience of independent research, through the writing of a thesis of at least 10,000 words, with a result for the thesis equivalent to the Honours results outlined above.

Students from most countries are also required to pass an English proficiency test. Please check with the Graduate Research School as to whether you are required to sit the IELTS or equivalent test - http://www.unsw.edu.au/futureStudents/undergrad/sad/engregpolicy.html

How do I apply?

Information on how to apply can be found at:
http://www.grs.unsw.edu.au/futurestudents/apply.html

It is to be noted that the application deadline for applicants who wish to commence in semester 1 is 31st January, and for those who wish to commence in semester 2 is 30th May

Here are the steps you need to follow

You can apply for admission in S1 or S2 each year. Information on how to apply can be found at:
http://www.grs.unsw.edu.au/futurestudents/apply.htm

Choose a research topic

You must think of a topic first. Here are some considerations:

• Does the topic really interest you?

You have to 'live' with the thesis topic throughout the period of study and possibly longer. A strong interest in and commitment to the area of study is vital. Sometimes governments sponsor students and assign them the topic. If this is the case but the topic is deemed unsuitable for a Masters or a PhD, you must seek advice from your supervisor in order to consider how the topic might be modified.

• Is there adequate supervision?

We need to find out whether there is a member of staff with an interest and expertise in the topic you propose to research.

• Can the topic be completed in the required time?

Research is a slow process and time is limited. The scope of the topic should be defined with these facts in mind.

The allowable period for completing a PhD degree is 4 years full-time or 8 years part-time. The allowable period for a Masters by Research degree is 2 years fulltime or 4 years part-time. Some scholarships may specify certain conditions related to length of time for these degrees.

• Are the facilities/materials available and adequate?

The adequacy of available resources should be considered, as also potential access to data required for carrying out your research.

• Disciplinary knowledge

In which discipline do you see your research located? The adequacy of your disciplinary knowledge in the area must be considered.

• Professional relevance

If the degree is being undertaken for the purposes of professional training, it is necessary to consider whether the topic is 'marketable' in that field, as well as being academically significant.

Prepare a research proposal

After determining your eligibility, prepare a proposal of 1,000 – 3,000 words that includes the following:

• a statement of the research problem, aims and research questions (and hypotheses if any), and significance of the proposed research

• brief description of the theoretical framework

• a brief literature review

• an outline of the method/s to be used

• any previous work/publication that you have done that is relevant to the proposed research.

The proposal must indicate to the potential supervisor that you have the capacity to research the topic and have access to the resources needed to make a contribution to knowledge that is the prerequisite for obtaining the degree. Once you have contacted a potential supervisor, there will be an opportunity to revise the proposal prior to formal application. Once you are admitted, there will again be further opportunities to expand or refine the proposal.

Find a supervisor

Once you have determined that you are qualified and have written your research proposal, the next step is to look on the relevant staff websites and contact the academic who you think is most suited to supervise you. The School assigns every candidate 2 supervisors (Primary and Co-Supervisor). We have in our School potential supervisors from a range of disciplines: Sociology and Anthropology, Criminology, International Studies, European Studies, Development Studies, Politics and International Relations, Political Economy, Social Work, and Social Science and Policy.

You may e-mail a prospective supervisor to introduce your proposed research topic, and explore whether they would be prepared to supervise you, should you be admitted to the program.

• Your email should be accompanied by your research proposal.

• You are also encouraged to attach a short curriculum vitae focusing on your tertiary education and research and professional experience. Include the following also if applicable: professional experience if relevant to the field of proposed study, research undertaken, and publications.

• Please specify what courses you have done and results obtained. To assist the interpretation of results, please provide documentation on translation of grades and any other appropriate guidance.

• You should also clarify whether the course you completed involved a thesis, and if so, word length of the thesis.

You may consult the Staff page to peruse the research interests and background of staff in the School. You may also be co-supervised by staff in another school within the Faculty or outside if such expertise is required.

Please be aware that members of staff might not be available for supervision, even if they work in the area of your proposal. They may have other commitments, including a full quota of research students.

It is suggested that you email a copy of your request and related documents to the Postgraduate Co-ordinator for follow up.

If you have difficulty finding a suitable supervisor, please consult the Postgraduate Research Co-ordinator PGR_Coordinator@ssis.unsw.edu.au who will direct your application to appropriate members of staff.

Submit an application

Apply online by following the steps on the University’s Graduate Research School website:
http://www.grs.unsw.edu.au/futurestudents/apply.html

If you have been in contact with or had a positive response from a supervisor, indicate this in your application. Upload or attach any required documentation.

Once you have submitted the application, it will be assessed by the School’s Postgraduate Research Coordinator and Director of Postgraduate Research of our Faculty. If the application is successful, you will receive a letter of offer of a place in the postgraduate research program.