Student Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I apply for a research degree?

Before you begin the process of applying for higher degree research candidature you should have some idea the research you would like to conduct and the field of academia you are interested in. Swinburne University has six faculties and fourteen research centres, each of which accept research candidates.

Once you have determined your area of research interest, you will need to locate a supervisor who is willing to oversee your project. This is essential, as your candidature application will not be considered unless you have agreement from at least one supervisor.

If you are having trouble locating a suitable supervisor, you may contact the relevant Faculty Research Administrator for assistance.

Once you have identified a supervisor whose research interests align with your own, you are invited to contact them to discuss your proposed thesis. If they agree to supervise you, you are welcome to make a formal candidature application.

For more information about how to apply, please visit the Application Process page

2. What scholarships are available?

Swinburne University offers more than 100 stipend scholarships each year. More information on the kinds of scholarships available.

3. How long until I am adivsed of the outcome of my application?

Once received, your application will go through an approval process comprised of two stages. The first is the Faculty Research Committee of your nominated faculty and the second is the University's Higher Degrees Research Executive Committee. The review process can take up to eight weeks to complete, and may take longer if your application is incomplete or if we require additional information from you.

4. How much are the fees?

If you are an international student, you are invited to apply for a tuition fee scholarship by ticking the appropriate box in section H of the application form. We accept applications for tuition fee scholarships all year round.

If you are a domestic student (including Australian and New Zealand citizens, and Australian permanent residents) your application will be automatically considered for a Government-funded Research Training Scheme (RTS) place.

If you are not awarded a tuition fee scholarship or RTS-funded place, your course fees will be detailed in your letter of offer. Alternatively, you can email your proposed course code to gradstudies@swin.edu.au and we will advise you of the applicable fees.

5. When can I apply for a research higher degree?

We accept candidature applications all year, so you can apply for higher degree research candidature at any time.

There are two scholarship rounds per year and applications close at the end of May, and the end of October. If you wish to apply for a scholarship, you must submit your application by the closing date of the relevant round. More information is available on our scholarships page.

6. What is a referee report?

A referee report is a document written by a person who can vouch for the quality and standard of your work. The referees' reports are used as an important part of the assessment process in applications for candidature and scholarship at Swinburne. Referees should be chosen for their knowledge of your research potential, for example, the supervisor of your Honours project or someone with whom you have worked on a research project. You are expected to submit two referees' reports. An explanatory note may be attached to the main application form if there is any difficulty in nominating two suitable referees. Download a Referee Report form.

7. Can my referees send their reports in later?

Your referee reports must be received by the University by the scholarship application closing date.

If you are not applying for a scholarship, your referee reports must be received at the same time as you submit your candidature application so that they can be considered in conjunction with your application documentation.

8. Where is your office located?

The Graduate Studies office is located on level 1, Swinburne Place South (SPS), Hawthorn Campus.

9. What format does my thesis need to be?

Swinburne University research candidates study in a wide range of disciplines, each with its own style and conventions for scholarly works. A guide to the written portion of your examinable outcome is available in the Format of Examinable Outcome Document (pdf).

Please note that any departure from the guidelines requires approval from the Higher Degrees Research Committee.

10. Are there any projects currently available in my area?

Students seeking projects in particular fields should contact the relevant Faculty Research Administrator for assistance. View the contact information for all of the Faculty Administrators.

11. Do I have to sit an IELTS or TOEFL if my tuition has been in English?

You do not have to sit an IELTS or TOEFL if you have successfully completed at least 24 months (full time equivalent) of formal study where the language of instruction and assessment was English at AQF level 7 or above (or equivalent) at an approved University.

If you are seeking entry on the basis of previous study in English as outlined above, you must have completed this study no more than 5 years prior to submitting your application for candidature. You will also need to provide a letter from your previous institution confirming that the language of instruction and assessment for your course(s) was English.

12. My IELTS or TOEFL results are more than 2 years old, can I still use them?

University policy requires all IELTS and TOEFL results to be no more than two years old at the time of your application. If you sat your IELTS or TOEFL exam more than two years ago, you cannot submit your results as evidence of your English language proficiency.

13. Do you have research internships at Swinburne?

The Graduate Studies office does not offer any research internships. Some faculties do offer research internships, and you should contact the relevant Faculty Research Administrator for assistance. View the contact information for all of the Faculty Administrators.

14. How does supervision work?

The first step a student should take, when applying for a research degree, is to contact the relevant faculty or research centre to discuss potential supervision. Once a potential coordinating supervisor has agreed to work with you, he/she will help you define a topic and prepare the research proposal for your application. Faculty contact information is available here.

1. What are the application deadlines?

The closing date for the 2012 mid-year round of scholarship applications is 31 May 2012.
The closing date for the 2013 main round of scholarship applications is 31 October 2012.

2. When will successful applicants be notified?

Mid-year Scholarship Round 2012

Successful applicants will be notified by email at the end of June 2012. Applicants will then be expected to accept or decline their offer within two weeks of the issuing of the formal scholarship offer. Those applicants who accept a formal offer will then be required to start their candidature no later than the 1 October 2012.

Main Scholarship Round 2013

Successful applicants will be notified by email in early December 2012. Applicants will then be expected to accept or decline their offer within two weeks of the issuing of the formal scholarship offer. Those applicants who accept a formal offer will then be required to start their candidature no later than 29 March 2013.

3. Are currently enrolled research students eligible to apply?

Yes. Current students must have been enrolled for less than two years in a PhD at 31 May 2012 (2012 mid year round). Applicants who have applied for a scholarship previously are not eligible to reapply, except those who applied in the 2012 main scholarship round. Applicants who apply for the first time in the 2013 main round will be also be eligible to apply during the 2013 mid-year round.

4. How do current research students apply?

Current students are not required to resubmit their original application form but should instead complete and submit the "Scholarship Application - current students only" form, attaching any additional information to be considered. If you are applying for a research scholarship, you must include the appropriate referee reports. The form can be downloaded from the scholarships page from the start of the mid-year scholarship round on 2 April 2012.

5. How do new students apply?

New students must complete the Research Degree and Scholarship form available from the Application Forms and Resources webpage. The same application form can be used to apply for both Scholarship and Research Higher Degree Candidature. If you are applying for a research scholarship, you must submit the appropriate referee reports.

Applicants who have applied for a scholarship previously are not eligible to reapply, except those who applied in the 2012 main scholarship round. Applicants who apply for the first time in the 2013 main round will be also be eligible to apply during the 2013 mid-year round.

6. When do international students need to have fulfilled English requirements?

International applicants are expected to have fulfilled English requirements for canditature at the time of application. Evidence must be supplied by the 31 October 2012.

7. What is a referee report?

A referee report is a document written by a person who can vouch for the quality and standard of your work. The referees' reports are used as an important part of the assessment process in applications for candidature and scholarship at Swinburne. Referees should be chosen for their knowledge of the applicant's research potential, for example, the supervisor of your Honours project or someone with whom you have worked on a research project. You are expected to submit two referees' reports. An explanatory note may be attached to the main application form if there is any difficulty in nominating two suitable referees. Download a Referee Report form.

8. Which research degrees are eligible for research scholarships?

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Professional Doctorates.

9. Which research scholarships are available to international students:

The following scholarships are available to international students:

Mid-year round

• Chancellor's Research Scholarships;
• SUPRA Postgraduate Research Scholarships

10. Which research scholarships are available to domestic students:

The following scholarships are available to Domestic students:

Mid-year round

• Chancellor's Research Scholarships;
• Australian Postgraduate Awards;
• SUPRA Postgraduate Research Scholarships;
• Research Training Scheme places (tuition fee exemption).

11. Research Training Scheme (RTS) places available to domestic students:

All commencing higher degree by research places for Australian residents are funded by the Australian Government under the Research Training Scheme (RTS). Successful domestic candidates will hold the allocated RTS place for the period of the candidature: up to a maximum of four years of full-time equivalent funding for doctoral students, and two years for research masters. In order to be eligible for an RTS place, students must be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or a New Zealand citizen and enrolled in a research higher degree course on a full- or part-time basis.