Graduate research applicants

Select one of our degrees by research and become part of a team committed to innovative research that provides real benefits to the community, informs teaching and learning, and is recognised in Australia and overseas.

• Masters by Research: build on skills and knowledge from an undergraduate degree.
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD): conduct research that leads to new knowledge or re-interprets existing ideas, theories and approaches.
• Professional Doctorates - Doctor of Business Administration: focus on issues in a particular profession and develop your ability to conduct independent research that makes an original contribution to improving practice.

For admission into a higher degree by research at Victoria University, you will need to meet the minimum entry requirement and demonstrate a capacity to undertake significant research in the proposed field. Please note that the qualifications which you base your application on will be assessed for equivalence to Australian Higher Education Degrees if obtained from an overseas institution.

Academic requirements

For details on Australian comparability of your overseas qualification(s), please refer to the international academic requirements for a higher degree by research.

English Language Requirements

In some circumstances we will accept test results from other methods of examination not listed in this table.

If you have completed a qualification where English was the primary language of instruction, you may be eligible for an English language exemption. Check our Guide to English Language Requirements to find out if you qualify for an exemption.

Applicants for a research degree are required to identify a potential research supervisor (you are required to nominate this supervisor in Step 4).  Supervisors are active researchers working within VU's institutes, research centres or college-based research projects who will provide guidance and support throughout your research study.  

It is important to identify a supervisor that shares the same interest in your research topic. Please note that colleges reserve the right to confirm supervision.

It is also strongly recommended that you align your their research interest with the university’s Research Focus Areas. 

Identifying a supervisor

Applicants are advised to read the information available on the VU website related to the research groups, projects and activities of University's institutes, research centres and colleges.

This will assist you with:

• identifying a potential research supervisor
• aligning your research interests with the University's Research Focus Areas

The names of individual supervisors, their discipline areas and the colleges they work within are also available on the VU Registered Supervisor list.

College based research

• College of Arts & Education
• College of Business
• College of Engineering and Science
• College of Health and Biomedicine
• College of Law and Justice
• College of Sport and Exercise Science

Institutes & research centres

• Centre for Applied Informatics
• Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention & Management
• Centre for Cultural Diversity and Wellbeing
• Centre for Environmental Safety & Risk Engineering
• Centre for International Research on Education System
• Centre of Policy Studies
• Institute for Supply Chain & Logistics
• Institute for Sustainability & Innovation
• Institute of Sport, Exercise & Active Living
• Mitchell Institute
• The Victoria Institute
• Victoria Institute of Strategic Economic Studies
• Western Centre for Health Research & Education

All graduate research degree applicants are required to prepare a research proposal for submission.
Your research proposal should be 1- 2 pages (typed, A4) containing initial:

• Title of the research proposal
• Name and College of your nominated supervisor (on the title page)
• Aims and field or research
• Significance of the research
• Methodology and research techniques
• Facilities and equipment required

Please note that the initial proposal is for the purposes of providing an understanding of your research interests. Study in the early stages of your research degree may lead to changes. In some cases your supervisor(s) may also suggest a project linked to your and their interests.

Applications for higher degrees by research are accepted throughout the year, but the commencement times are February – March and July- August each year. Submit your application as early as possible to allow time for it to be processed and other arrangements finalised.

Admission with Advanced Candidature

If you are currently enrolled in a higher degree by research with another institution but would like to transfer to VU, you may be eligible for admission with advanced candidature. For more details on how to apply, please refer to the Advanced Candidature section on the Candidature page.

Enrolment and commencement generally occurs in February-March and July-August each year.

Master by Research

For Master by Research applicants, initial admission is to the pre-candidature phase, which usually continues for the first 6 months (effective full-time) of enrolment. Standard duration for a Master by Research is 2 years EFT.

Your candidature must be approved before you become an official candidate for the degree. Your ongoing enrolment is also provisional until your candidature is approved.

Doctor of Philosophy

For PhD applicants, initial admission is to the pre-candidature phase, which usually continues for up to 12 months (effective full-time) of enrolment. Standard duration for a Doctor of Philosophy is 3 years EFT while the maximum duration should not exceed 4 years. Your candidature must be approved before you become an official candidate for the degree in which you are enrolled. Your ongoing enrolment is also provisional until your candidature is approved.

You will be required to enrol in and complete two (2) core coursework units in the first semester (effective full time) of their PhD studies. More information on the PhD coursework units may be found here.

Doctor of Philosophy (Integrated)

For PhD (Integrated) applicants, initial admission is to the Year 1 program of intensive research training with minor thesis. At the conclusion of Year 1 provided you meet the requirements to progress to Years 2-4, you will proceed to the pre-candidature phase of the PhD with a fast track to candidature confirmation including intensive mode delivery of the core PhD coursework unit, Conceptualising and Contextualising Research early in Year 2.

If you enter the Doctor of Philosophy (Integrated) via the alternative pathway and after Year One achieve a pass mark of 50% or above in all Year 1 units, but do not fulfil the hurdle requirement (70% average across the coursework units and 70% in the Year 1 thesis) or do not wish to proceed to years 2-4, you will be eligible to graduate with a Master of Research Practice exit award.

The duration of the PhD (Integrated) is normally 4 years and initial research work undertaken in Year 1 is normally expected to be incorporated into the PhD project and thesis. Your candidature must be approved before you become an official candidate for the degree in which you are enrolled. Your ongoing enrolment is also provisional until your candidature is approved. 

Professional Doctorate

All Professional Doctorate applicants are required to complete the enrolment and start your studies according to the usual term of the University, which will be in Feb or July each year.

For Professional Doctorate applicants, initial admission is to the coursework component of the degree and progression to the research phase of the degree is subject to your satisfactory performance in the coursework. The standard duration for a Professional Doctorate is 3 years EFT while the maximum duration should not exceed 4 years.