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Apply for a masters by research or doctoral degree - step-by-step guide

Step 1: Make sure you meet entrance requirements

Students considering study at Monash University must meet the University's minimum academic and English language proficiency entry requirements.

Minimum English language proficiency requirements for entry into a higher degree by research

All applicants must meet the minimum English language proficiency requirements for entry into a higher degree by research at Monash University.

Minimum academic requirements for entry into a higher degree by research

  • A bachelors (undergraduate) degree in a related discipline requiring at least four years of full-time study, which normally includes a research component in the fourth year. The qualification must be considered to be equivalent to a Monash University honours degree at H1 or H2A level.

    • Definitions
    H1: a First Class Honours degree or equivalent. The Monash University Grading Scale defines 'H1' as corresponding to a level of achievement or which an overall mark of 80 per cent or more has been awarded for a whole course.

    H2A: a Second Class Honours, Division 1 degree or equivalent. The Monash University Grading Scale defines 'H2A' as corresponding to a level of achievement for which an overall mark between 70 and 79 per cent has been awarded for a whole course.

    or

  • A masters (postgraduate) degree in a related discipline, including a significant research component, at least equivalent to an Australian honours degree (a full-time year of research and an examined thesis). It is normally expected that a minimum grade of H2A has been obtained for the research thesis or project,

    • or

  • A specific preliminary research qualification such as a postgraduate diploma from Monash University

    • or

  • A qualification deemed equivalent. If you are unsure of your qualification, Monash University can assess to determine if you are eligible.

Some research courses (for example professional doctorates) have additional entry requirements, while some research masters courses have different entry pathways. Please check the relevant faculty website for specific entry requirements to these courses.

Pathways to research

Students may gain entry into the PhD program by upgrading from a research masters degree.

This will normally occur following a period of 12 months full-time equivalent enrolment in the masters program. If upgrade from masters to PhD is approved, the research undertaken in the masters program will count towards the PhD studies.

Alternatively, students may wish to complete a masters course before commencing PhD studies. Students who have completed a masters degree with a significant research component will be considered for admission to doctoral candidature. The percentage of the research component required may vary from discipline to discipline, but there should be sufficient evidence of research ability, such as distinction level results in the project component of the degree.

Some faculties also offer preliminary research courses (such as postgraduate diplomas and masters qualifying programs that provide a pathway to research for students without a research background.

Step 2: Select a research area

Select a research area that interests you. View the Research at Monash website for information on the wide-range of research conducted at the University.

Step 3: Contact the appropriate faculty

You need to contact the relevant Monash University faculty research office to make sure that appropriate supervision and facilities are available for your proposed field of research.

If you are interested in a PhD or professional doctorate by external studies, a limited number of places are available. You must have access to email, telephone or video-conferencing facilities and you must be able to meet with your supervisor face-to-face 15 days per year.

Step 4: Fill out the application form

Fill out the application form relevant to your mode of research:

Scholarships

Note: If you are seeking a scholarship from Monash University you are not able to use the above forms. If you are interested in a scholarship you should discuss this with the relevant faculty research office when enquiring about eligibility (as per step 3). If the faculty believes you are eligible for a scholarship they will provide you with the relevant form. All scholarship applications must be made by the end of October each year.

Step 5: Submit the application

Submit or mail the application form, all the required documents and a A$100 non-refundable application fee bank draft (made payable to Monash University) to:

International Recruitment Services
Monash University
871 Dandenong Road
Caulfield East Victoria 3145
Australia

Our application advisers can help you complete your application. Email us now.

Step 6: Your application is processed

We will check that your application is complete and forward it to the relevant faculty. The faculty will endorse it for further processing. The Faculty Graduate Studies Committee will then assess your application.

If you have applied for a doctoral degree, your application will go to the Research Graduate School Committee for final consideration.

Please note: The duration of this process can vary, but should take no longer than four months. If your application is successful, you will receive an offer from Monash University.

What is the Faculty Graduate Studies Committee?

Each faculty has a graduate studies committee responsible for masters, postgraduate diploma and certificate programs. These committees make recommendations on research matters to the Research Graduate School Committee.

What is the Research Graduate School Committee?

The Research Graduate School Committee is a University-wide body that administers the doctoral regulations and advises the Academic Board on all matters of policy relating to doctoral programs. This Committee has final responsibility for approving admission to doctoral candidature, the allocation of scholarships and the examination of doctoral theses.

The Committee's primary concern is to encourage excellence in research and the timely completion of doctoral theses. The Research Graduate School Committee has members from each faculty and from the postgraduate research student body.

Step 7: Receive an offer

Once you have received your offer from Monash, accept the offer by sending it together with payment for your first semester to International Recruitment Services.

Monash will then send you a Confirmation of Enrolment (COE) package including:

  • A welcome letter
  • A Confirmation of Enrolment form

Step 8: Arrange your travel and visa

Then, arrange your travel and your visa. Complete the airport reception form (incorporating application for short-term accommodation).