To become a research student

To begin the process of becoming a postgraduate researcher, students need to think about possible research projects and topics that align with their interests, qualifications and experience.

Future students are encouraged to seek further information about the research expertise of academic staff through the websites and brochures of research centres, Schools and departments.

Online Application

Click here to access the online application form.

The application process

1 - Check eligibility

Students considering study at Monash University must meet the University's minimum academic and English language proficiency entry requirements.

Minimum English language proficiency requirements for entry into a higher degree by research

All applicants must meet the minimum English language proficiency requirements for entry into a higher degree by research at Monash University.

• A bachelors degree in a related discipline from Monash University requiring at least four years of full-time study, which normally includes a research component in the fourth year, leading to an honours degree at H1 or H2A level, or

• A course leading to a masters preliminary qualification at a level rated by the relevant department, School and committee as equivalent to an honours class I or IIA degree, or

• A masters degree in a related discipline, including a significant research component, at least equivalent to an Australian honours degree (a full-time year of research and an examined thesis). It is normally expected that a minimum grade of H2A has been obtained for the research thesis or project, or

• A qualification deemed equivalent.

Some research courses have additional entry requirements, while some research masters courses have different entry pathways. Please check the School website for specific entry requirements to these courses.

Pathways to research

Students may gain entry into the PhD program by upgrading from a research masters degree.

This will normally occur following a period of 12 months full-time equivalent enrolment in the masters program. If upgrade from masters to PhD is approved, the research undertaken in the masters program will count towards the PhD studies.

Alternatively, students may wish to complete a masters course before commencing PhD studies. Students who have completed a masters degree with a significant research component will be considered for admission to doctoral candidature. The percentage of the research component required may vary from discipline to discipline, but there should be sufficient evidence of research ability, such as distinction level results in the project component of the degree.

Some faculties also offer preliminary research courses (such as postgraduate diplomas and masters qualifying programs that provide a pathway to research for students without a research background.

2 - Select a topic/research area

Students should consider potential areas of research that interest them and align with their qualifications and experience.

Reviewing School websites will help students determine which School would be most appropriate for their proposed research. The key research areas of the Schools are listed on their web pages under the link 'research'.

Students should prepare a brief research proposal and send it to the School with their initial enquiry. This will help the School manage the enquiry efficiently. It is important at this stage that prospective candidates identify a potential supervisor or research group. The School's R&D Manager will assist. Different Schools will have slightly different requirements for research proposals.

Schools will respond to the enquiry and advise if the research topic/proposal is suitable and whether there is the capacity to supervise such a project.

4 - Refine the research project

Once a potential supervisor or research group has been identified, discussions should begin on candidature and project options. The research proposal will be refined in line with School requirements and advice provided by the potential supervisor.

The type of information that should be contained in this initial proposal includes:

• The topic area and what motivated interest in this particular area?
• Field(s) knowledge concerned?
• The aim(s) of the project and what key questions are to be explored?
• Methodologies, works or materials involved?
• Proposed outcomes of the research?
• A brief background of qualifications, publications and other research experience.

5 - Basic steps to completing an application

1.  Register

You must provide basic identifying details to obtain a unique applicant Id which you can to use to login to the online application system.

2.  Create your profile

The first time you login you are prompted to complete your profile; this provides us with important details such as your address and citizenship. On completion of your profile you are instructed to return to the application overview page from where you can create a new application.

3.  Create an Application

When you first create a new application you need to provide details on the type of applications and the type of research degree and/or scholarship you are applying for. Once you’ve saved these details the left side navigation menu is updated to show the different detail pages that you need to enter to complete your application – these pages will vary depending on the type of application and the course you are applying for. As you complete the information on each page, the corresponding navigation menu item will be ticked; giving you an indication of what areas you’ve already covered.

4.  Upload Documents

So you can understand the full nature of the application, you can visit and complete each page in any order you wish. However, before submitting you must upload all documents that are required. A variety of editable, portable and image based document formats are supported for upload along with the ability to upload zip files.

5.  Validate & submit

The final step is to visit the validate and submit page. The system will advise you of any pages that are incomplete or any documents that are missing. It also displays all of the data you have entered. When the application is valid, a declaration form is presented at the base of the page. Complete that, print the page for your records and press the submit button.

Click here for a step by step guide to completing an application.

6 - Lodge application

To obtain a list of the fees for postgraduate programs, click here.

To access the online application form, click here.

Scholarship application:

• Scholarship applications will only be considered when a candidate is offered a place at Monash University.
• Applications can be lodged at any time of the year.
• For a list of scholarship opportunities available for Research students, click here.