Apply for a research degree
Applications for research degrees are made via an online form. When you can apply depends on whether you want to apply with or without scholarship.
Before you start your application, contact a faculty or institute research degree coordinator for advice on your research topic and proposal. A list of potential research areas and supervisors can be found via our Finding a supervisor page. Please note, Deakin may not be able to appoint the person you request as your supervisor.
All online applications must be supported by two referee reports (these must be forwarded to your referees to complete).
Domestic Referee report(DOC, 63.5 KB)
International Referee report(DOC, 63.5 KB)
Application process
Applications for higher degree by research candidature and scholarship are made via an online application form.
- Prepare your application requirements and referee reports.
- Register and obtain a username and password.
- Log in and complete the application. You can do this in one session or several. Your progress is saved each time you click the Next button in the online application. You will be asked to upload a range of documents during the application process.
View a section-by-section summary of the online application process.
The application process
The application process contains the following sections. For some sections, you have to both upload scanned copies of documents and post certified copies to us; these are marked with an asterisk (*).
| Section 1 | Your personal details, for contact and statistical purposes. If you have changed your name, you must attach proof. |
|---|---|
| Section 2 | Your type of application (Candidature only or candidature and scholarship) |
| Section 3 | Your citizenship, to determine whether any fees will be payable. You will need to attach proof of citizenship:
|
| Section 4 | Your proposed area of study. This includes the research title, discipline or area, the research proposal, and any Deakin staff who you may have contacted. We direct your application to this area of the University. |
| Section 5 | Your proposed study mode - will you be studying on or off campus, and full or part-time? What is your proposed start date? We need to ensure we have the resources to support your study with us. |
| Section 6 | Are you currently studying? This may affect your start date or entry into the degree. If you want to transfer from a research degree elsewhere, you will need to provide us with details of your progress from your current university.* If you have previously been enrolled in a research degree you will also need to provide us with the same information, for reporting to the government. |
| Section 7 | Sections 7 to 11 relate to evidence of your research ability and whether you are qualified for the degree. You may need to complete some or all of these questions. Your previous tertiary (university) qualifications. You will have to attach transcripts of results from each degree* - that is, the list of subjects and results supplied by the university, including whether you completed the degree. |
| Section 8 | Your original research, such as a thesis, dissertation or research project (not coursework essays or assignments). |
| Section 9 | Your research experience you may have had in your employment. You should outline what actual research you have done and what new knowledge you have discovered. |
| Section 10 | Your research publications, such as in refereed journals, at conferences, in books with original research or in industry. |
| Section 11 | Your scholarships or awards, including where and when you received the award |
| Section 12 | Your proficiency with English. You may be required to provide proof of this.* |
| Section 13 | Your two referees who can comment on your research ability. There is a form for them to complete, which you send to them. They return it directly to us via email or fax. |
| Section 14 | This is a checklist for your attachments, which you can view all the way through the form. |
| Section 15 | How you heard about Deakin and why you chose to apply. You also have to declare that all the information that you have supplied is accurate. Only once you have completed all sections and attached all the required documents and pressed the 'submit' button can we process your application. |
Application requirements
You will need to provide the following documents:
- a brief outline of your research proposal
- academic transcripts
- proof of identification and citizenship
- a list of publications
- two referee reports with referees' details
- evidence of English language proficiency, if required.
More detail on each of the research application requirements.
Application dates
Commencement of research degrees is not confined to Deakin's trimesters. Applications for research degrees without scholarship may be made at any time.
Applications for research degrees with scholarship can be made as follows:
| Applications open | Applications close | |
|---|---|---|
| Local applicants (citizens and permanent residents of Australia and citizens of New Zealand) | 1 May 2013 | 31 October 2013 |
| International applicants | 1 February 2013 | 31 July 2013 |
Read about Deakin's research degree scholarships.
Applications for Doctor of Psychology (Clinical, Forensic or Health streams) close on 31 October each year. To register for an application pack, please contact the School of Psychology administrator, Joanne Buchanan by phone (03) 9251 7139 or email.
Current candidates applying for scholarship only
If you are an existing Deakin higher degree candidate applying for scholarship only, please do not complete the online application form. Instead, email the HDR Scholarships Officer at research-scholarships@deakin.edu.au indicating that you wish to be considered for the next scholarship round and your original application will be used.
If you have received any awards, publications or other experience since the original application (excluding requirements of candidature such as colloquium or upgrades to candidature), please attach those to the email.