FAQ's: Future Higher Degree by Research Students
Am I eligible to apply for a postgraduate research program?
Am I required to pay a Student Services Fee?
Do I meet the English Language Proficiency requirements?
How do I apply for admission?
How long will I need to wait to be advised of the outcome of my application?
What fees will I need to pay?
What is a certified copy?
What is the RTS Scheme
When can I start my program?
Where can I find more information regarding Higher Degrees by Research ?
Am I eligible to apply for a postgraduate research program?
The admission requirements for Higher Degrees by Research are defined in the relevant academic program rules published on the Adelaide Graduate Centre’s Program Rules Page.
The Barr Smith Library will be able to provide you with hard copies of the Academic Program Rules from the relevant University of Adelaide Postgraduate Calendar.
Admission to a Doctor of Philosophy is normally granted on the basis of a relevant Bachelor degree with Honours of at least IIA standard or a Masters by Research degree with a research component deemed appropriate by the Research Education and Development Committee (REDC). Coursework degrees that do not contain a significant research component are not acceptable for the purposes of admission.
In some circumstances, the Research Education and Development Committee may deem that other educational and research backgrounds are equivalent to Honours for the purpose of admission. If you are seeking entry based on alternative qualifications, the key consideration will be that you have undertaken significant research training, leading to the production of a substantial written report such as a thesis or publication(s).
It is advisable to contact the postgraduate coordinator in your prospective School to discuss your application. A current list of Postgraduate Coordinators.
The admission requirements for PhDs and Masters by research are set out in the relevant set of academic program rules in the University of Adelaide’s Postgraduate Calendar. The current rules are available on the Adelaide Graduate Centre’s Program Rules Page.
In general, applicants for a Masters by Research degree may be accepted with a relevant second- class Honours degree or higher. However, the Research Education and Development Committee (REDC) will also consider applications from people who have demonstrated a high level of academic achievement and are suitably experienced in research.
In 2010 however the University of Adelaide will be offering a unique opportunity which will provide eligible students with a flexible entry pathway into a research Master of Philosophy program direct from a Bachelor degree without the need to complete Honours.
The Master of Philosophy program was created to provide a single Masters level research degree, which, like the PhD is immediately recognisable to employers and others as a benchmark of your standard of achievement in research.
Australian and New Zealand citizens or Australian permanent residents who enrol in a Master of Philosophy
- are eligible for a two year exemption from fees under the Research Training Scheme
- will be eligible to compete for a limited number of scholarships for Master of Philosophy students entering at Bachelor level (subject to funding). The scholarships are valued at $20,000 per annum tax free.
The academic standing required for acceptance is a minimum of a distinction average in a relevant Bachelor degree. For further information about eligibility requirements and content of the program, please refer to the academic program rules for the Master of Philosophy.
Please note that international applicants will continue to be enrolled in the named Master programs in 2010 with a view to implementing the Master of Philosophy program fully in 2011.
Am I required to pay a Student Services Fee?
Currently, the Student Services Fee is voluntary. Students may elect to join the Adelaide University Union (AUU), the peak student representative body at the University. By joining, students will assist the AUU to develop and implement the philosophy that life at university is so much more than textbooks and lectures. In addition, students will be able to access a range of discounts covering gym membership, prices at commercial outlets on campus, textbooks and participation in a comprehensive range of activities of the Students’ Association, Clubs Association and Sports Association. For further information contact the Adelaide University Union *This information is correct at the time of printing but may be subject to change without notice
Do I meet the English Language Proficiency requirements?
As English is the language of instruction at the University of Adelaide, proficiency in speaking, listening to, reading and writing English is essential. All applicants for a Higher Degree by Research must provide evidence of their proficiency before an offer of a place is made. Evidence of a tertiary education conducted in English at an Australian University is generally sufficient for this purpose. Alternatively, applicants may be required to submit a recent IELTS (International English Language Testing System) or TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) result. Please refer to the
English Language Requirements for Postgraduate Research Entry.
How do I apply for admission?
Application forms for Postgraduate Research candidature (Australian/NZ Citizens or Australian Permanent Residents only) are available from the Graduate Centre. More information on admission is available on the Admission and Enrolment section of the Graduate Centre website.
How long will I need to wait to be advised of the outcome of my application?
Applications are forwarded to the Head of School for consideration of your suitability as an applicant and the availability of supervision and resources to support your candidature. Following receipt of the School's recommendation, either an offer of candidature or advice of the non-approval of your application will be mailed to you.
Generally, the time taken from application to advice of the decision is between two and four weeks.
Applicants who wish to apply for a scholarship and admission in the following year will be advised in mid December of the outcome.
What fees will I need to pay?
If eligible, all commencing higher degree by research students are allocated a Research Training Scheme (RTS) place. Depending on eligibility (which may be affected if a student has been enrolled in a postgraduate research program in the last three years), the RTS place entitles the student to a maximum period of HECS exempt candidature of four years full-time or half-time equivalent to undertake a PhD or two years full-time or half-time equivalent to undertake a Masters program.
To check eligibility for RTS and the implications of the Scheme, please refer to the RTS Guidelines.
What is a certified copy?
A certified copy is a copy of an original document that has been signed by a Justice of the Peace or other relevant person (Police Officer, Minister of Religion) to say that it is an exact copy of the original. You can also get them sighted at the University Contact Centre. Take your copies and your original with you. The Graduate Centre does not sight documents. Note that original documentation (this includes manuscripts, CDs, DVD's, novels) will not be returned. A list of Justice of the Peace.
What is the RTS Scheme
Eligible local commencing higher degree by research students enrolled at the University of Adelaide are awarded a Research Training Scheme (RTS) place. The RTS place entitles the student to a maximum period of four years of tuition fee exempt candidature to undertake a PhD program or two years of tuition fee exempt candidature to undertake a Masters program. This means there is no HECS debt at the end of the program.
Further information about the Research Training Scheme is available from the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations website.
When can I start my program?
It is possible to commence your higher degree by research candidature at any time of the year; however, the University’s preferred start dates are January to mid February for students intending to start in Semester 1(2nd January – 30th June) and June for students intending to start in Semester 2 (1st July – 31st December).
If you are considering undertaking a research program please refer to the Postgraduate Research Students website which provides links to the Postgraduate research prospectus, research pathways, applying for admission and/or scholarship, locating a suitable supervisor etc:
Academic Program rules are available for viewing on the Adelaide Graduate Centre’s Program Rules Page.
