Entry Requirements

The admission requirements for Higher Degrees by Research (HDR) are set out in the relevant set of academic program rules, as published in the University’s Calendar.

Admission to doctoral candidature is normally granted on the basis of a relevant Bachelor’s degree with at least a second class Honours (upper division) or a relevant Masters degree that contains a significant research component (normally at least 15 University of Adelaide credit points of research or equivalent). Coursework degrees that do not contain a significant research component are not acceptable for the purposes of admission to a PhD.

In some circumstances, the Research Education & Development Committee may deem that other educational and research backgrounds are equivalent to Honours for the purposes 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).

In addition to the formal academic requirements for admission, it is advisable for you and your prospective School to consider a number of other criteria before a higher degree by research candidature is offered or accepted. For example:

• Is the School appropriate for your proposed research, and does it have the space, facilities and resources that your project is likely to require?
• Is the School able to provide quality, experienced panel supervision comprising a principal and at least one co- or external supervisor for the duration of the research program?
• Is there a sufficient level of similarity between your research interests and background and those of your prospective supervisors?
• Do you have the capacity to meet the ongoing time, logistical and other requirements of candidature (particularly if you are in employment, or are applying as a half-time or remote student or are intending to also pursue other studies)?
• Are you able to support yourself for the duration of your research program through receipt of a scholarship or other means? (Note that even if you are able to secure scholarship funding, the duration of your scholarship [3 to 3.5 years] may be less than that of your research program [up to 4 years].)
• Scholarship holders and (normally) full-time candidates are restricted to a maximum of 8 hours of work per week during normal working hours.

If you have entry qualifications that are insufficient for direct entry into a Doctoral program, in some cases it may be possible for you to enrol in a Master of Philosophy and, subject to satisfactory progress and the approval of the Research Education and Development Committee, to upgrade to Doctoral candidature following completion of your first 18 months of study.

Masters’ students

The admission requirements for the Master of Philosophy are set out in the Academic Program Rules, located in the University’s Calendar and on the web at www.adelaide.edu.au/calendar/pg/agc

In general, applicants may be accepted for a Master of Philosophy on the basis of the following qualifications:

• a relevant degree of Bachelor completed at distinction average or higher;
• a Master by Coursework (with less than 15 University of Adelaide credit points of research) completed at distinction average or higher;
• a relevant Honours degree At 2A or higher; or
• a Master by Coursework with a significant research component (normally at least 15 University of Adelaide credit points of research or equivalent), with an overall grade of Credit level or higher and a grade at Distinction level or higher in the Research Component.