Research degree applications can be submitted online all year round.
The closing date has passed to start an application for the 2021 annual scholarship round. You can still submit an expression of interest for a research degree at QUT, but your application will be considered for admission only.
Follow the steps below, which will guide you through our two-part application process.
Ready to apply?
To apply
Read and complete steps 1 to 5.
Start at step 1 below.
What happens next?
Already started your online application? Find out what happens next, including important information for international students.
Find out what happens nextAm I eligible?
Use our research degree eligibility check tool to quickly find out if you're likely to meet the requirements for your chosen course.
Course entry requirements
Check your course information for full entry requirement details:
I don't meet the PhD requirements
If you don't meet the entry requirements but still want to study a PhD, you can:
- apply for a Master of Philosophy after discussing with your potential supervisor or faculty
- discuss your previous experience and qualifications with your potential supervisor.
English language requirements
Depending on your previous experience and qualifications, you may need to meet English language requirements. You can find your English language requirements in your course information.
We accept test results from:
- IELTS (Academic)
- TOEFL iBT (Internet-based)
- Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic)
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)
- Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)
| English test | Overall | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| TOEFL iBT | 79 | 16 | 16 | 21 | 18 |
| Pearson PTE (Academic) | 58 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
| Cambridge English Advanced (CAE) | 176 | 169 | 169 | 169 | 169 |
| Cambridge English Proficiency (CPE) | C1 | - | - | - | - |
You must take your test no more than 2 years before the start of your course.
QUT IELTS Test Centre
If you are in Australia, you can complete the IELTS proficiency exam at our IELTS test centre.
If you are registering for a TOEFL test, you can organise to send your results directly to us. Our TOEFL institution code is 9778.
International students
We assess the genuine temporary entrant (GTE) requirements for all international applicants as part of the Australian Government's simplified student visa framework (SSVF).
If you are self-funded, we may request additional information to help assess your eligibility.
If your county of citizenship is listed below, you will need to use a QUT official representative to lodge your application. Some agents may charge a fee.
You can find a representative near you.
Africa
All countries
Middle East
- Afghanistan
- Iran
- Iraq
- Syria
- Lebanon
- Yemen
Asia
- Bangladesh
- India
- Nepal
- Pakistan
- North Korea (DPRK)
- Myanmar (Burma)
Europe
- Russia
- Ukraine
This list is subject to change. Australian sanction laws enforce United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and Australian Autonomous sanctions regimes. Up to date details on country specific sanctions can be found on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website.
Your research should align with our areas of focus and our ongoing research strengths.
Collaborate with government and industry to find innovative solutions that benefit business and community at a local, national and global level.
Explore areas like:
- accountability, regulation and governance
- consumers, markets and stakeholders
- economics and finance
- entrepreneurship, innovation and strategy
- non-profit and social enterprise
- organisation and work.
Join our progressive and collaborative postgraduate community and make an original contribution to media, design or creative arts research. We believe in fostering a supportive intellectual environment that encourages our researchers to address real world problems in areas like:
- digital media, communication and culture
- innovation in the performing and digital arts
- sustainability and innovation in design.
Recognised internationally as a leader in education research with a global outlook, we provide the right environment for our researchers and research students to make real progress and generate real world impact. Our research is leading the way in areas like:
- childhood in changing contexts
- teacher education and professional learning
- literacies, language, texts and technologies
- STEM education
- student engagement, learning and behaviour.
Get hands-on experience with patients and students, and collaborate with government, community groups, hospitals and institutions from around the world. Your work has the potential to advance healthcare in areas including:
- behavioural neuroscience and mental health
- chronic conditions, including cancer
- healthy lifestyles, ageing and environments
- emergency care and health services
- infection and injury prevention.
As our commercial, social and digital worlds continue to evolve, our laws and justice system must progress with them. Our research is helping to shape the law and guide policy reform in areas like:
- commercial and property law
- crime and justice
- health law
- intellectual property and innovation law
- international law and global governance.
From robotics to biomedical engineering, we are leading the way with research that will contribute significantly to the social, economic and environmental wellbeing of people across the globe. It’s exciting, world-changing work happening in areas like:
- biology and environmental science
- built environment
- chemistry and physics
- civil and environmental engineering
- computer science
- earth and atmospheric sciences
- electrical engineering and robotics
- information systems
- mathematical sciences
- mechanical, medical and process engineering.
We recommend that you discuss your research interests with your proposed supervisor early in the application process. You can search for a supervisor using our experts database.
Your supervisory team are the most important people you'll work with while you're researching. You'll meet with them regularly, and they'll provide support and guidance throughout your project.
As part of your application, you must propose a research topic and develop a research proposal. You can search our student topics database for available research projects or propose your own research topic. You may ask a supervisor to help you identify or refine a research topic.
If your Expression of Interest is approved, you will be invited to develop and submit a research proposal as the final step of your application.
Covering tuition costs
Australian and New Zealand students
If you're an Australian citizen or permanent resident, or a New Zealand citizen, you won't have to pay tuition fees if you complete your degree within:
- 4 years full-time (or equivalent) for doctoral students (PhD and professional doctorate)
- 2 years full-time (or equivalent) for masters students.
You may also be eligible for scholarships to help you with living expenses.
International students
You may be able to apply for scholarships that cover tuition fees for all or part of your degree. If you don't receive a scholarship, you must pay full fees directly to QUT.
Information about course fees is available on your course information.
You may also be eligible for scholarships to help you with living expenses.
Scholarships you can apply for
You can apply for scholarships to help support your living expenses while you're researching, or cover your tuition costs if you're an international student.
Make sure you look closely at the scholarship’s application instructions and guidelines, and be sure to include any required supporting documents with your application. If you don't provide the right documentation, your scholarship application may not be eligible.
Annual scholarship round
The closing date has passed to initiate your application for the 2021 Annual Scholarship Round. You can still apply for admission to a research degree at any time throughout the year.
Applying outside the annual round
There's a variety of scholarships you can apply for throughout the year and outside of the annual round. Check the application dates for each scholarship to find out when you should apply.
You can also search the Good Universities Guide scholarship collection.
Funding your research degree
For more information about funding your research degree, including tuition details and study-related costs.
Along with your Expression of Interest (EOI) and supporting documents, you need to provide personal information and brief details about your research project (no more than 100 words per item) including:
- project objectives
- overview of research topic
- proposed methods
- potential for industry engagement (if relevant)
- previous research experience
- alignment to QUT research priorities
If your EOI is successful you will be invited to submit an application, which requires you to draft a research proposal with your proposed supervisor (See Step 6).
Required documentation
Academic records
If you have undertaken study at QUT or any other Australian university listed as a QualSearch participating institution you don't need to submit these academic records, as we can verify them online.
If you have studied at other institutions, either international or not listed on the Australian QualSearch participating institutions, you must submit:
- a high-resolution copy of your academic transcripts, award certificate, or other evidence of completion
- the grading scale of your university (this may be on the back page of your transcript)
- if the documents are in a language other than English, you must also provide an official English translation
- if you receive an offer of admission you may need to provide certified copies of your documentation.
English language certification
If you've completed any English language course or test to meet the English language requirements for your course, you must provide evidence.
CV (curriculum vitae) or resume
Your resume should outline your relevant research activities, including:
- research-related employment
- research publications
- other research achievements.
Include any documents that demonstrate proof of your research activities and abilities.
You can follow our guide to formatting a curriculum vitae (PDF file, 156.58 KB).
Employment experience
If professional experience is an entry requirement for your course, or you believe it will add to your application, you must provide statements from your employers.
These statements should be on company letterhead, be signed and dated, and include:
- your position title and duties
- whether you were employed full time, or the full-time equivalent you worked
- the dates you were employed.
Proof of residence or citizenship
Provide a certified copy of either:
- your birth certificate
- your certificate of citizenship
- the relevant pages of your passport.
Confirmation of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent
If you're applying for an Indigenous Postgraduate Research Award (IPRA), you'll need to provide confirmation of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent before your scholarship can start. Find out more about confirmation of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent via the Australian Institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies website.
I’ve changed my name
You must provide evidence of your name change, such as your marriage certificate or deed poll, if:
- the name you provide on your application form is different to the name on any supporting official documents
- you have official documents issued in more than one name.
Different study arrangements
Depending on the circumstances of your proposed research degree, you may need to provide further documentation to help us process your application.
I've organised to do a PhD or masters as part of an international partner agreement
Your application may be linked to an existing international agreement that will allow you to study jointly at QUT and another leading university overseas.
You should discuss this agreement with your potential supervisor and get their help to complete an individual student agreement. If you need a copy of this agreement, email hdrpartners@qut.edu.au
Read the joint PhD guidelines (PDF file, 115.5 KB) for more information.
I’m being supported by an external organisation
If your research is being supported by an organisation external to QUT, a person authorised by the organisation needs to supply a statement indicating the support the organisation will provide.
I want to transfer to QUT from another university
If you want to transfer to research at QUT, you still need to complete a full application. You'll also need to provide an official letter from your university that includes:
- degree or course type
- milestone dates
- start of candidature and consumed load
- maximum candidature date
- Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Fees Offset (Domestic) entitlements (previously Research Training Scheme)
- scholarship commencement, if you hold a scholarship
- approved leave of absence dates
- date withdrawn
- completion date of confirmation process.
You must also supply:
- the name of your former principal supervisor
- the reason you're transferring
- your most recent progress report
- ethics approval, if applicable. Either attach your prior ethics approval, or details of any QUT ethics approval applications in progress.
If your Expression of Interest is successful you will be invited to submit an application, which requires you to draft a research proposal with your proposed supervisor.
Prepare a research proposal
A research proposal is a key requirement for your research degree application. Writing a research proposal is an essential step in defining and conveying your research interests and goals.
Business
We recommended that you align your research project and proposal to one of our key research areas.
Use the business research proposal template (DOCX file, 83.5 KB) if your research relates to:
- accountancy
- advertising, marketing and public relations
- economics and finance
- management.
Write your own research proposal using these guidelines. The proposal is used to asses your level of writing and current understanding of the gaps in research.
There is no word limit. We recommend writing 5-6 pages.
Creative industries
We recommended that you align your research project and proposal to one of our key research areas.
Use the creative industries research proposal template (DOCX file, 81.3 KB) if your research relates to:
- creative practice
- communication
- design (industrial, fashion, interactive and visual).
Write your own research proposal using these guidelines. The proposal is used to asses your level of writing and current understanding of the gaps in research.
The research proposal should be no more than 800 words (approximately 2 pages), not including references.
Education
Use the education research proposal guide (DOCX file, 89.0 KB) if your research relates to:
- teacher education and leadership
- early childhood
- inclusive education.
Write your own research proposal using these guidelines. The proposal is used to assess your level of writing and current understanding of the gaps in research.
Your proposal may also be used to identify supervisors with expertise relevant to the project. Be clear and precise within the limits of your current knowledge of research methods and your proposed area of study.
The research proposal should be no more than 3 pages.
Engineering
We recommended that you align your research project and proposal to one of our key research areas.
The Faculty of Engineering requires you to find a supervisor before applying. Once you've identified a supervisor in your research area who is willing to supervise your project, you should work with them to develop your research proposal.
Use the engineering research proposal guide (DOCX file, 87.8 KB) and work with your nominated supervisor to align your proposal with our engineering discipline requirements.
Use the guide if your research relates to:
- architecture, including landscape architecture and interior design
- built environment
- engineering (civil, electrical, environmental, mechanical, medical and process)
- robotics.
Your research proposal should be 2-3 pages in length.
Health
Your research proposal should include appropriate headings and sections addressing:
- your area of research (including the faculty, centre or school you'll be studying in)
- a clear statement of your research topic
- a brief overview of previous relevant research
- the objectives of the program of research and investigation
- your research methods and plan, including references to key literature sources
- your proposed QUT principal supervisor, QUT associate supervisor or supervisors and any non-QUT associate supervisors (if known)
Contact your proposed supervisor for advice about additional discipline-specific requirements for your research proposal.
There is no set word limit, but we recommend your proposal is 2 pages.
Law
Use the law research proposal guide (DOCX file, 82.4 KB) if your research will be hosted by the School of Law.
Write your own research proposal using the guide. The proposal is used to assess your level of writing and current understanding of the gaps in research.
We prefer proposals to be 6 pages long.
Science
We recommended that you align your research project and proposal to one of our key research areas.
The Faculty of Science requires you to find a supervisor before applying. Once you've identified a supervisor in your research area who is willing to supervise your project, you should work with them to develop your research proposal.
Use the science research proposal guide (DOCX file, 90.6 KB) and work with your nominated supervisor to align your proposal with our engineering discipline requirements.
Use the guide if your research relates to:
- biology
- chemistry and physics
- computer science
- earth and atmospheric sciences
- environmental science
- information systems
- mathematical sciences.
Your research proposal should be 2-3 pages in length.
Social justice
Submit your Expression of Interest
If you've completed steps 1 to 5 above, you're ready to submit your Expression of Interest.
What happens next?
Already submitted your final application? Find out what happens next, including important information for international students.
Contact us
If you've got any questions about how to apply, contact us today.
Use the social justice research proposal guide (DOCX file, 82.0 KB) if your research will be hosted by the School of Social Justice.
Write your own research proposal using the guide. The proposal is used to assess your level of writing and current understanding of the gaps in research.
We prefer proposals to be 6 pages long.