Apply for a research degree

Apply for a research degree
Apply for a research degree
Applying to Adelaide University
Applications to study a research degree at Adelaide University are open, and you can apply at any time of the year. Follow the instructions below to prepare your application.
Not sure where to start? We’re here to help. Below, you’ll find a step-by-step guide on how to apply for a research degree at Adelaide University.
Step 1 – Check your eligibility
Academic entry requirements
Check that you meet the academic entry requirements for your chosen program:
Doctor of Philosophy
Master of Philosophy
Master of Research
If you do not meet the entry requirements to qualify for one of our research degrees, you may like to consider an alternative pathway via our research-focused Graduate Certificates:
Graduate Certificate in Research Skills
Graduate Certificate in Research Design
English language proficiency requirements
English is the language of instruction at Adelaide University and all graduate research students are required to be proficient in English comprehension and expression and provide evidence (if applicable).
For more information about English language requirements for research degrees,
visit the English language proficiency webpage
.
Step 2 – Review scholarship round timelines and eligibility criteria
Adelaide University offers a wide range of funding opportunities for both Australian and international graduate research students.
Some scholarship rounds are highly competitive, and opportunities may be limited. It’s important that you review the eligibility criteria including residency requirements carefully before submitting a request for supervision or a formal application.
In addition to formal qualifications, relevant work and research experience may be considered as part of the scholarship evaluation process. Students who win a scholarship usually have exceptional academic results and evidence of research outputs such as high-quality international publications.
For applicants applying for a scholarship in the Project Round, the eligibility criteria will be indicated on the
project listings
.
For more information, please
visit the Research scholarships webpage.
Step 3 – Find a supervisor and/or project
While your academic credentials will determine your eligibility for a research degree, your likelihood of receiving an offer from Adelaide University will largely be determined by:
the alignment of your interests or your own project idea with the research interests and experience of potential supervisors; and
the capacity of supervisors to accept you as a research student.
You can
browse the range of Adelaide University research projects
currently available for commencement in 2026. Note that projects available in the Project Round are listed as ‘funded projects’ and will be listed only when the round is open (October).
Once you’ve found a project that interests you, please contact the relevant supervisor to let them know. The supervisor will likely ask you to send relevant documentation, such as a CV, your transcripts, and your English test results (if applicable) before inviting you to an interview to determine if you are a suitable match. Applicants applying in a Project Round will be asked to submit relevant documentation in the Expression of Interest form attached to the project.
If you can’t find a research project, or have your own idea for a project you’d like to pursue, you can
browse potential supervisors
from the relevant field and then let us help you identify and confirm supervisors.
Before applying for admission and/or scholarship, you will need written confirmation of supervisory support from an eligible principal supervisor.
If you have a preexisting relationship with a supervisor (for example, if they previously supervised your Honours or postgraduate research), you can contact them directly for written confirmation of support before you start your application. Applicants successful in receiving a scholarship in the Project Round must provide the interview date in their admission application.
Step 4 – Apply online
Please make sure you have the following documentation ready when submitting your application as they must be uploaded to the application system:
Official academic transcripts and parchments including grading scheme
Evidence of meeting the
English language requirements
(where relevant)
Confirmation of supervision from your proposed supervisor for your area of research (informal email sufficient, uploaded to the application system)
Confirmation of an interview (in English) with your proposed supervisor is required unless you have a prior professional relationship (e.g. supervisor of summer scholarship, honour project or tutoring under their direction) (informal email confirmation is sufficient and can be uploaded to the application system)
Your Curriculum Vitae using
Adelaide University’s structured CV template
Your Research Proposal using the
Adelaide University Research Proposal template
Any other documentation you feel is relevant to your application, e.g. name change documents, references
Any applicable
supporting forms
relevant to your individual circumstances, e.g. application for remote candidature, application for credit, or Education Agent nomination form.
If you are applying for a funded project, e.g. in the Project Round, please tick “Application for Admission” and provide details of the project/scholarship in your statement.
You can save your application at any time during the application process, but remember to submit your application once you have completed the steps and uploaded all the required documents. We are unable to assess applications that are incomplete. Any missing documentation will impact our ability to assess your application for admission and/or scholarship.
Please note that we may require you to provide
certified documents
at any time during the application process or candidature.
Domestic applicants
Apply now
International applicants
Apply now
International applicants only
Australia has enacted the Autonomous Sanctions Act 2011 and also complies with United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions. Sanctions restrict activities that relate to particular countries, goods and services, persons or entities. Adelaide University is required to abide by these sanctions as they apply to countries where there is prohibition on providing a ‘sanctioned service’. This involves specific types of training or dealing with a ‘designated person or entity’.
To see a list of countries and understand how this may affect you,
visit the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)
.
If you’re a citizen of one of the countries affected, Adelaide University will be required to complete a detailed assessment of your proposed research project against the current sanction regimes. The nature of the project will be examined, as well as the goods and equipment you will use in your research. Some assessments will be referred to DFAT for further consideration, so it’s important that you allow sufficient time for the processing of your application and/or scholarship. Please note if there are any changes to your program, thesis or research topic a new assessment will be required.
Step 5 – Accept your offer and enrol
Receiving the outcome of your application
If you have applied in a scholarship round, please refer to the
application round dates
for details on when outcomes will be released
If you have applied outside of a scholarship round, applications may take some time to review and process. The Adelaide University Graduate Research School will notify you by email as soon as the outcome of your application is finalised.
Accepting your offer
Complete and return the Admission Offer Acceptance form contained within your offer letter to
research.offers@adelaideuni.edu.au
along with any conditions and any additional documentation as requested.
Complete and return the Scholarship Offer Acceptance (if applicable) to
research.scholarships@adelaideuni.edu.au
Once all documentation has been returned, reviewed and checked, we will finalise your acceptance.
International students – a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) will be issued for the purpose of applying for your student visa.
Domestic students – the enrolment process will commence.
Enrolment
You will be sent an email to commence the enrolment process once we receive all required information and documentation.  Please follow the instructions outlined in the email to commence the enrolment process. You will receive an email once your enrolment has been finalised.
Next steps – international students
Apply for a student visa
You can apply for your student visa through the Australian Government’s
Department of Home Affairs website
.
If you are represented by an
Education Agent
, they will lodge your student visa application on your behalf.
For students not represented by an Education Agent
Adelaide University can't assist with student visa applications, or any other type of visa applications. Visas are issued by the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs. Please seek advice directly from the
Department of Home Affairs website
.
Need help?
Please complete the enquiry form and our Future Student Enquiry Team will be in touch.
Submit an enquiry
Supporting forms
Admissions Remote Candidature Application Form
This form should be used by graduate research applicants applying to study as a remote candidate. Remote candidature is possible for students who, for academic reasons, are required to conduct research away from Adelaide University, interstate or overseas.
Size
224 KB
Format
PDF Document
Download
Agent Nomination Form
For International students: if your application is successful and if you applied through an Education Agent, you complete and sign this form to give them permission to accept the offer on your behalf.
Size
97 KB
Format
PDF Document
Download
Credit Application Form
Size
213 KB
Format
PDF Document
Download
Research Proposal template
Size
98 KB
Format
PDF Document
Download
Structured CV template
Size
256 KB
Format
PDF Document
Download
Applicant Quick Reference Guide
Size
68 KB
Format
PDF Document
Download
Agent Quick Reference Guide
Size
3 MB
Format
PDF Document
Download
Master of Research Alternative Discipline Elective(s) Selection Form
Size
159 KB
Format
PDF Document
Download
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