How to Apply

Master of Philosophy

To meet the minimum academic standing required for admission to a Master of Philosophy degree you’ll need to have completed:

• a relevant University of Adelaide bachelor degree (or equivalent), with a minimum distinction average.

Doctor of Philosophy

To gain admission into a Doctor of Philosophy, you’ll need one of the following:

• a relevant University of Adelaide Honours degree (or equivalent), with at least a second-class Honours (upper division)
• a postgraduate coursework degree which contains a significant research component and meets the minimum GPA requirements
• a relevant University of Adelaide Master of Philosophy (or equivalent)

English language proficiency requirements also apply for both degree types.

For more detailed information regarding eligibility criteria, including specific GPA requirements, program structure and a direct link to the Academic Program Rules, search for your desired degree on Degree Finder.

The University offers a wide range of funding opportunities for both domestic and international candidates. If you’re considering applying for a scholarship in one of the competitive rounds it’s important that you review the eligibility criteria before submitting a request for supervision, or submitting an application. Opportunities are limited and competition is strong.

If you’re an international applicant you will be considered in one of our competitive scholarship rounds dedicated to international students. In each round we receive hundreds of applications for a small number of scholarships. The standard of applicants is always extremely high and the selection process is very competitive. Applicants who rank highly have typically completed a masters degree with a significant research component. They have also often published several papers in quality international journals.

In addition to formal qualifications, extensive relevant work and research experience is required. The few applicants who win a scholarship directly out of undergraduate studies have exceptional academic results, high-quality international publications and outstanding references. The scholarships page is a useful guide for applicants seeking to understand how their application will be considered.

While your academic credentials will determine your eligibility for a Graduate Research Degree, your likelihood of receiving an offer will largely be determined by: the alignment of your interests with an area of research or available research project at the University, the work of potential supervisors, and supervisors’ capacity to accept you as a student.

Before applying for admission and/or scholarship, you will need written confirmation of supervisory support from an eligible principal supervisor.

To obtain this confirmation, email research_degrees@adelaide.edu.au and request assistance to find a supervisor. Further information about our pre-application process will then be provided.

Please note:

If you have a pre-existing collaboration with a supervisor (e.g. they previously supervised your Honours research), you may obtain written assurance of support directly from them and proceed to Apply.

Admission and/or scholarship application

You’ll find all the information you need regarding application documentation via the Apply Now buttons below. If you’ve finished preparing your documentation and a potential supervisor has been confirmed, you’re ready to start your application. Remember, if you haven’t been able to find a potential supervisor who’s happy to receive an application from you, you’re not ready to apply and should revisit Step 3.

As your application moves through the assessment process, you will receive an automated email with the subject line "Your University of Adelaide HDR Application “Declaration of Interest” question". All HDR candidates are required to respond to the "Declaration of Interest" question to ensure that the University meets Australian government legislation and expectations. A prompt response will be required to finalise the outcome of your application.

International applicants

As an international applicant it is important to note the following:

• To optimise application processing, you must supply a Curriculum Vitae on the University’s Structured Template. If you are applying for scholarships and the Structured CV is not included with your application it will impact your scholarship application.
• Before submitting your application please be aware that the Commonwealth of Australia has enacted the Autonomous Sanctions Act 2011 (Cth) and also complies with United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions. The University of Adelaide is required to abide by these sanctions as they apply to countries where there is prohibition on providing a ‘sanctioned service’. For a list of countries and further information to help you understand how this might affect you, visit sanctions regime.

Need help?

If you would like assistance from one of the University’s international representatives, go to find a University of Adelaide agent.

There are also quick reference guides that will lead you through the online application:

• Applicant - quick reference guide
• Agent - quick reference guide

Apply now - international

Domestic applicants

As an Domestic applicant it is important to note the following:

• To optimise application processing, you must supply a Curriculum Vitae on the University’s Structured Template. If you are applying for scholarships and the Structured CV is not included with your application it will impact your scholarship application.

Need help?

If you have any questions before starting your online application, please feel free to contact our admissions team.

Apply now - domestic

If your application’s successful you’ll receive an Offer of Admission by email. It’s important to read your offer carefully as it may contain conditions, and your acceptance cannot be finalised until these have been met. Once you have formally accepted your offer, met any outstanding conditions, and/or finalised your scholarship acceptance you will receive instructions regarding how to enrol online.

If you have questions regarding these conditions, or any of the information contained in your offer letter, please don’t hesitate to contact us the HDR Admissions team in the Adelaide Graduate Research School.

If you’ve applied for a scholarship in one of the rounds and your application is successful, you’ll receive your Offer of Scholarship with your Offer of Admission. You’re still required to formally accept your scholarship offer, as this is separate to your Offer of Admission. Again, you should take the time to read and understand the Conditions of Award before accepting your Scholarship Offer. If you have questions regarding these conditions, or any of the information contained in your offer letter, please don’t hesitate to contact the Scholarships team in the Adelaide Graduate Research School.

Understanding you Offer of Admission and Acceptance Agreement

The information provided in your Offer of Admission is important and includes the details of your academic program. Please take the time to read it carefully and understand the content before completing and returning the Offer Acceptance.

You will need to provide all of the following documentation

1. The Offer Acceptance, signed and completed.
2. Any outstanding electronic copies of your original academic documents, including all official parchments and/or diploma supplements and complete transcripts for all academic and professional qualifications, in the original language and the official English translations. This is a condition of admission to the University. Conditions are outlined in the ‘Program Conditions’ section of your Offer of Admission.

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Document certification

Unless you have already provided the correct documentation with your application, you will be required to provide electronic (PDF) copies of your original academic documents; including all official parchments and/or diploma supplements and complete transcripts for all academic and professional qualifications. If the originals are in a language other than English, you will be required to provide both the original language documents and the official English translations. This is a condition of admission to the University. Any conditions that may apply to your admission offer will be outlined in the ‘Program Conditions’ section of your Offer of Admission. .

The documents must be provided as:

• Electronic originals, which must be clear scanned copies of the original official documentation, as provided by the awarding institution

OR

• Electronic certifications (of the original official documentation), which must be clear scanned copies of the original certifications, containing all of the following elements on each and every page:
• An official stamp bearing the name of the person or organisation who certified the document
• Words in English to the effect of “I certify that this is a true copy of the original”
• The full name of the person who certified the documentation and their original signature
• The date of certification

Who can certify?

In Australia, certification can be done by a:

• Justice of the Peace on-campus
• Justice of the Peace elsewhere in South Australia
• Notary Public
• Legal practitioner or commissioner
• Court registrar
• Medical practitioner or pharmacist
• Police office

Outside Australia, the equivalent of one of the above can certify (subject to approval).

Please note that documentation will not be accepted if certified by a person who has a personal relationship with you (the applicant).

Qualifications completed at the University of Adelaide do not require certification.

Applicants with qualifications from Chinese institutions

If you have a qualification from a Chinese institution, you will be required to provide an electronic (PDF) copy of the original transcript and degree certificate, either as:

• Electronic originals, which must be clear scanned copies of the original official documents, provided in the white notarisation booklets, as issued by a Notary Public Office in China.

OR

• Electronic original certifications (of the original official documentation), which have been certified by an authorised Agent or In-Country Representative.

Original hardcopy documentation

Please note that, at any time throughout your candidature, the University reserves the right to request hardcopy originals and/or hardcopy original certifications/notarisations for sighting; including the official parchments and/or diploma supplements and complete transcripts for all academic and professional qualifications. If the originals are in a language other than English, you will be required to provide both the original language documents and the official English translations.

It is important to note that candidates will be given 28 days to produce the required documentation. After 28 days, if the required documents have not been provided, there will be a forced intermission for up to 31 days. Email notification will be issued to the candidate 7 days prior to the commencement of the forced intermission. Candidature and Scholarship will both cease during the forced intermission and will not resume until the outstanding documentation has been provided.

If your application is successful you will receive an Offer of Admission by email with instructions regarding how to accept it. Once you have formally accepted your offer, met any outstanding conditions, and/or finalised your scholarship acceptance, you will be issued with your Confirmation of Enrolment. This document will enable you to apply for a Student Visa. You will also receive instructions regarding how to enrol online.

Understanding your Offer of Admission and Acceptance Agreement

The information provided in your Offer of Admission is important and includes the details of your academic program, tuition fees, Refund Policy and Overseas Student Health Cover. Please take the time to read it carefully and understand the content before completing and returning the Offer Acceptance Agreement. Please also refer to the Acceptance Information and Accommodation Information.

You will need to provide all of the following documentation:

1. The Offer Acceptance Agreement, with each page signed and completed.
2. Evidence that you have met all of the conditions listed in your Offer Acceptance Agreement.
3. Payment of the tuition fee deposit (if applicable) and Overseas Student Health Cover, including:
   • Evidence of your acceptance of a University of Adelaide scholarship.
   • A Financial Guarantee statement as evidence of adequate sponsorship by a recognised University sponsor. For more information refer to the Financial Guarantees section below.
   • Please refer to the Payment Form, included in your Offer of Admission, as it provides information regarding your payment options.
4. Payment for Pre-Enrolment English Program, if applicable.
5. Declaration of Financial Capacity, signed and completed.
6. Photocopy of the personal details section of your passport.
7. Any outstanding electronic copies of your original academic documents, including all official parchments and/or diploma supplements and complete transcripts for all academic and professional qualifications, in the original language and the official English translations. This is a condition of admission to the University. Conditions are outlined in the ‘Conditions of Academic Program Offer’ section of your Offer of Admission.

Document certification

Unless you have already provided the correct documentation with your application, you will be required to provide electronic (PDF) copies of your original academic documents; including all official parchments and/or diploma supplements and complete transcripts for all academic and professional qualifications. If the originals are in a language other than English, you will be required to provide both the original language documents and the official English translations. This is a condition of admission to the University. Any conditions that may apply to your admission offer will be outlined in your Offer of Admission in the ‘Conditions of Academic Program Offer’.

The documents must be provided as:

• Electronic originals, which must be clear scanned copies of the original official documentation, as provided by the awarding institution

OR

• Electronic certifications (of the original official documentation), which must be clear scanned copies of the original certifications, containing all of the following elements on each and every page:

1. An official stamp bearing the name of the person or organisation who certified the document
2. Words in English to the effect of “I certify that this is a true copy of the original”
3. The full name of the person who certified the documentation and their original signature
4. The date of certification

Who can certify?

In Australia, certification can be done by a:

• Justice of the Peace on-campus
• Justice of the Peace elsewhere in South Australia
• Notary Public
• Legal practitioner or commissioner
• Court registrar
• Medical practitioner or pharmacist
• Police officer
• Post office manager
• Registered migration agent
• Adelaide Graduate Research School admission staff (please note that, in peak times, we may be unable to provide this service).

Outside Australia, the equivalent of one of the above can certify (subject to approval).

Please note that documentation will not be accepted if certified by a person who has a personal relationship with you (the applicant).

Qualifications completed at the University of Adelaide do not require certification.

If you have applied through an authorised Agent or In-Country Representative, you will not be required to provide electronic documentation to accept your offer, unless requested.

Applicants with qualifications from Chinese institutions

If you have a qualification from a Chinese institution, you will be required to provide an electronic (PDF) copy of the original transcript and degree certificate, either as:

• Electronic originals, which must be clear scanned copies of the original official documents, provided in the white notarisation booklets, as issued by a Notary Public Office in China.

OR

• Electronic original certifications (of the original official documentation), which have been certified by an authorised Agent or In-Country Representative.

Original hardcopy documentation

Please note that, at any time throughout your candidature, the University reserves the right to request hardcopy originals and/or hardcopy original certifications/notarisations for sighting; including the official parchments and/or diploma supplements and complete transcripts for all academic and professional qualifications. If the originals are in a language other than English, you will be required to provide both the original language documents and the official English translations.

It is important to note that candidates will be given 28 days to produce the required documentation. After 28 days, if the required documents have not been provided, there will be a forced intermission for up to 31 days. Email notification will be issued to the candidate 7 days prior to the commencement of the forced intermission. Candidature and Scholarship will both cease during the forced intermission and will not resume until the outstanding documentation has been provided.

If the outstanding documentation has not been provided within the 31 days of forced intermission, the University will be required by law to cancel the Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) and notify the Department of Home Affairs. After a CoE has been cancelled, candidates will have 28 days to leave the country.

Financial guarantees

If your study will be funded by a University-approved sponsor, you are required to provide a Financial Guarantee statement upon accepting your Offer of Admission. Your statement must clearly provide details of the sponsorship arrangement and include:

1. Your full name and date of birth.
2. Full tuition for the duration of the Postgraduate Research Program (and Academic English Program if applicable).
3. An adequate stipend equivalent to the RTPS rate, quoted in Australian dollars.
4. Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the entire duration of your Student Visa.
5. Your intake year, semester and/or date of commencement.
6. Billing information for invoicing, including contact details if we need to seek any further details from you.

For more information, please refer to our student finance sponsored website.