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International applicants

Initial approach

As a prospective research student, you will need to start up a discussion with the department, school or faculty you wish to study with about a potential research project. Please identify the appropriate faculty contact and enquire as to what information they need from your application. Some faculties may have special instructions and require additional information so consider all instruction carefully.

General information that will be required as a starting point:

  • An official certified transcript of all academic records, including full details of all courses undertaken and grades obtained
  • Information on previous research projects completed
  • Details of published papers, if any
  • Details of any experience since graduation which is relevant to the proposed field of research
  • Evidence of any government financial support or other scholarship support already offered to you
  • The proposed general area of research you wish to undertake as a postgraduate research student (brief research proposal).

English language requirements

For students for whom English is not their first language, documentary evidence of English proficiency is required, ie:

  • an overall band score of not less than 6.5 on the IELTS test conducted by IDP and the British Council. In addition, a score of at least 6.0 is required for each band score and applicants must undertake the academic module in regard to reading and writing.

In the faculties of Arts and Law, an overall IELTS score of 7.0 (with 7.0 on writing module) is required. In the Department of Epidemiology and Preventative Medicine, an overall IELTS score of 7.0 with individual band scores of 6.5 are required. Tests that are taken more than two years prior to application will not be accepted. Test information can be found at www.ielts.org; or

  • a score of 577 (233 computer-based score) or more achieved in the American Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and a score of 5 or more on the TOEFL Test of Written English (TWE) or Essay Rating (ER).

In the faculties of Arts and Law and the Department of Epidemiology and Preventative Medicine, a TOEFL score of 600 (250 computer-based score) and a score of 5.0 or more on the TWE or ER is required. Tests that are taken more than two years prior to application will not be accepted. Test information can be found at www.toefl.org; or

  • successful completion of a course of tertiary studies of at least two years' duration conducted entirely in English and involving formal assessment of written work, in a country where English is the official language. Evidence in the form of a letter or certificate issued by the university Registrar's office must be provided. Studies must be completed within the five-year period prior to application.

In the faculties of Arts and Law, studies must be completed within the two-year period prior to application.

Where studies have been conducted entirely in English, involving formal assessment of written work in a country where English is one of two or more official languages of that country, a case may be made to the Monash Research Graduate School Committee by the relevant department/faculty. The World Factbook located at www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/ lists the official languages of all countries; or

  • successful completion of a course of tertiary studies of at least two years' duration at Monash Malaysia or South Africa campus. Studies must be completed within the five-year period prior to application.

In the faculties of Arts and Law, studies must be completed within the two-year period prior to application; or

  • an overall IELTS score of 6.0 (writing score of 6.0); or a TOEFL score of 550 with a TWE of 4.5 (computer-based TOEFL score of 213 with an ER of 4.5), together with successful completion of the 10-week Monash University English Language Bridging Program (ELBP). Applicants will not be admitted to candidature until they have successfully completed the ELBP. (Scholarship applicants must have evidence of successful completion of the 10-week ELBP by the closing date for scholarships to be eligible).

Note: The English Language requirements outlined above are the University's minimum requirements for admission to a research degree. Recent changes to visa regulations for international students require applicants from assessment level countries 3 & 4 (see International students) to provide a satisfactory IELTS test score when applying for a student visa. Refer to the Australian Government requirements section in the Application Guide for details.

Next step

When you and your prospective academic unit agree that there is a place for you in the department’s research program, you will be invited to complete an official application for admission to Doctoral and MPhil or research masters candidature. But that will be the next step. For the moment you should focus on starting informal discussions only with your chosen department.

Application for Student Visa - international students

From 1 July 2001, the Australian government has grouped countries into assessment levels. These levels have specific visa criteria that must be met in order to receive a visa to enable students to study in Australia.

Before applying for a visa, international students must carefully check their country assessment level and relevant financial, health and other requirements (e.g. English Language Proficiency) for Education Sector subclass 574 Masters/Doctorate. Refer to the Monash International website for details.