Research Degrees

The Graduate School of Education is a large and research intensive Graduate School which offers a considerable breadth of research supervision and coursework study options.

Our research and research graduates are highly regarded within Australia and internationally.  We collaborate with schools and industry in contract-based and grants based research both nationally and internationally, and act as a resource for industry and research organisations involved in the education and training field.

The types of research supported in the Graduate School include major international and national empirical studies; detailed studies of students and classrooms of different ages and types; research on policy, ideas, and creative endeavours; action research and qualitative studies. Research includes fundamental and cutting-edge research funded through competitive grant programs; collaborative research with schools and industry and education departments; contract and consultancy research.

Before deciding on your area of research and nominating a supervisor for your thesis, you should read more about the specific research interests of Graduate School staff; and about our academic clusters and Graduate School-based university research centres and their projects. Or follow these links for full details on the research degrees we offer, the application process and more:

• Expression of interest
• How to apply for a research degree
• Documentation to supply with your application
• Queries

Applications and enrolments for PhD can occur any time during the year.  Applications for Masters and Doctor of Education programs can be submitted by the last Friday in November. Providing places are still available, late applications will be accepted until the end of January. We welcome enquiries from prospective students either by email or telephone.

Research Degree Application

Before you apply for a Research degree you will need to:

1) Decide which course of study you would like to undertake and ensure that you are eligible for admission. Entrance requirements:

• PhD; (Before applying for a PhD you must complete an Expression of Interest)

2) Make contact with prospective supervisors before submitting a formal application and make sure that you have a solid proposal underway to discuss with any potential supervisor. You can find research information from the University of Melbourne Research Report. You should also refer the following websites for information on current research and contact details for academic staff members:

• Research areas keywords
• through the Faulty of Education academic staff profiles database

3) Once you have made contact with potential supervisors please consider and address the following questions:

• Have you looked into the research background and active research interests of your proposed supervisor sufficiently?
• Have you thoroughly discussed the research project with your proposed supervisor and prepared a proposal?
• Have your discussed your degree options, research Masters, DEd or PhD?
• Do you know what facilities and resources will be available to you?

Please note that the availability of potential supervisors is dependant on the success of the application, supervisory workload and other factors.

4) Once you have addressed these key questions you might then consider applying for one of the research courses listed above. 

If you would like to apply for PhD:

• If you are an international applicant you will need to apply via the International Centre.
• If you are a local applicant (Australian citizen or permanent resident or New Zealand citizen) then you will need to apply via the Melbourne School of Graduate Research (MSGR).

If would like to apply for any other research program within the Graduate School of Education:

• The closing date for timely applications is the last Friday in November. Providing places are still available, late applications will be accepted until the end of January.
• If you are a local applicant you will need to apply online.
• If you are an international applicant, you may apply directly online.  If you experience difficulties applying online, a PDF application form can be downloaded.  International students may also apply through one of our overseas representatives.

Documentation to submit with your application

You will need to supply certified copies for all additional documentation to accompany your application.  A certified copy is a photocopy of the original document which has the signature and official stamp of one of the following people: Barrister or Solicitor, Police in Charge of Station, Pharmacist, Doctor, Dentist, Principal of School, Justice of the Peace, Clerk of Court, indicating that they have sighted the original document. The signature and stamp must appear on every page of the document. A photocopy of a certified copy is not acceptable. Generally you will need to supply the following documentation with your application:

1. Original or certified copies of official transcripts, including full details of all courses undertaken, completed and grades obtained. If your undergraduate course is from this University, an official transcript is not required. Please note that all documentation forwarded to the University becomes the property of the University.
2. Details of published papers, if any.
3. Details of any experience since graduation which is relevant to the proposed field of research.
4. Names and addresses of two academic referees.
5. A statement of research interests and experience. Applicants should provide as much detail as they can (at least 100 words are required.) This will help academic staff determine whether they have the expertise and resources to facilitate study in your proposed field of research.
6. A 1-2 page outline of your initial proposal which would include:

• The topic to be investigated;
• A statement of the rationale and the aims of the study
• Brief list of the important literature in the area
• What kind of information will be sought and which methodologies will be used in the collection and analysis of the information

 

1. Evidence of any government financial support or other scholarship offered.
2. For Australian Citizens and permanent residents a certified copy of either an original birth certificate, citizenship certificate or evidence of permanent resident status.
3. Original or certified certificate of IELTS or TOEFL tests of English as a foreign language (except those from countries where English is the official language or those who have undertaken studies in a country where English is the official language). Please note that an overall score of 7.0 (written 7.0) for IELTS and/or a score of 600 + TWE 5.0 for the paper based TOEFL is required for entry into any research classified course within the Graduate School of Education.  For more information regarding English Language Requirements please refer to the following site.

Fees and Scholarships

If you are an Australian, permanent resident or New Zealand citizen you are eligible for the Research Training Scheme (RTS).  The RTS is a government scheme which provides research higher degree students with an exemption from course fees (liability under the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS)).  RTS places provides an exemption from HECS liability for the student, and funds to the University, for a maximum of:

• 4 years full-time (8 years part time) for doctoral research (including PhD) students;
• 2 years full time (4 years part time) for Masters by research students.
  

The University of Melbourne offers a number of scholarships, awards and assistance for research classified degree students. See below:

• Local applicants
• International applicants
• Graduate School based support and financial assisstance
  

Queries

If you have any further queries relating to undertaking a PhD within the Graduate School of Education please contact one of the members of the Research Services Unit:

Dr Philippa Moylan
Research Training Programs Officer
Phone: + 61 3 8344 8318
Email: pmoylan@unimelb.edu.au

If you have any further queries regarding any other course within the Graduate School of Education please contact:

Graduate School of Education Student Centre (FESC)
The University of Melbourne
Alice Hoy Building
Monash Road
Gate 4

Telephone: +61 3 8344 8285
If you have a specific question about applying to study at the Graduate School of Education, please search our answers to frequently asked questions, where you can also submit an enquiry to our course advisors