Finding a Research Project & Supervisor

An overview of the School’s research areas and topics available for postgraduate study, at Doctorate (PhD), Masters of Philosophy (MPhil) and Masters of Science (MSc) level, can be downloaded here.

Higher Degree Research Projects.pdf 67.46 kB

We encourage potential postgraduates to peruse the groups’ website for more specific detail on research programs and to contact academic staff directly. Please provide a full CV and details of your academic record to your potential supervisor so that he/she may assess the suitability of the project and availability of scholarships.

Where initial contact between supervisor and student warrants it, we may pay travel costs (within Australia) to enable students to spend a few days in the School of Physics. This is intended to assist both the student and supervisor in making an informed decision concerning enrolment in a research degree.

A/Prof Les Allen (academic) and Cilla Gloger (administrative) may be contacted for further enquiries.

Application process - Local Students (including Scholarships)

[Local students includes Australian, New Zealand and permanent residents]

Once potential supervisor and student have made contact and have decided on a suitable research project, you should then…

1. Apply for postgraduate degree at School of Graduate Research (SGR)

   NB Information typically required: proposed commencement date, proposed supervisor(s), research proposal title and description, details of appropriate qualifications, references, English language proficiency.

   Documentation typically required (either original or certified copies) are: birth certificates, citizenship certificate or evidence of Australian Permanent Residency; academic transcripts (if not from University of Melbourne); 100 word summary of proposed research project; IELTS or TOEFL/TWE certificate to meet English language requirements; details of PhD candidature (if transferring from another university)

2. Lodge the application with the proposed supervisor for review and signature and then leave with School Administrator, Cilla Gloger, for follow up. There is no formal closing date of applications; however, this should be done before you apply for a scholarship.
3. Concurrently, follow the on-line SCHOLS process outlined at Melbourne Scholarships Office and apply for a postgraduate scholarship taking note that close for applications is generally late October (the link details actual deadline). There are a number of different scholarships on offer, including Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) and Melbourne Research Scholarship (MRS).
4. If successful, you will receive an offer of acceptance for both PhD and scholarship separately during January of the following year. You will be required to accept the offer and enroll on-line at School of Graduate Research (SGR)
5. If you have been unsuccessful in gaining a scholarship (but successful in gaining entry into a PhD degree), please talk to your supervisor for alternative arrangements.

Application Process - International Students (including Scholarships)

Once potential supervisor and student have made contact and have decided on a suitable research project, you should then…

1. Check eligiblity status for a scholarship by referring to the Science Eligibility document located on the Research in Science webpage
2. Apply on-line for a postgraduate degree at International Centre which includes automatically application for scholarships such as Endeavour International Postgraduate Research (IPRS), Melbourne International Research Scholarship (MIRS), Melbourne International Fee Remission Scholarship (MIFRS). Please take note that close for IPRS scholarships is generally mid August.
3. If successful, you will receive an offer of acceptance for both PhD and scholarship from International Admissions around January of the following year. They will then provide information on how to arrange for visas.
4. If you have been unsuccessful in gaining a scholarship (but successful in gaining entry into a PhD degree), please talk to your potential supervisor for alternative arrangements.