Entry requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy – Indigenous Knowledge

• Admission criteria
• English language requirements
• About selection
• Additional information

Admission criteria

To be considered for entry into this course, you must:

• Have completed a four-year bachelor honours degree (AQF8) in a cognate (relevant) discipline which includes a substantial research component equivalent to at least 25% of one year of full-time study with a weighted average mark (WAM) of 75% in the final two years of study, or equivalent.

Or

• Have completed a masters degree (AQF9) in a cognate (relevant) discipline which includes a substantial research component equivalent to at least 25% of one year of full-time study with a weighted average mark (WAM) of 75%, or equivalent.

Or

• Have a qualification, and have professional or other relevant experience or a combination of both, that are considered to be equivalent by the Selection Committee.

Or

• Be an Indigenous Australian who can establish Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander eligibilityand is assessed by the Selection Committee as likely to succeed in their proposed course of study.

Cognate (relevant) disciplines include:

• An area that is relevant to the intended graduate research program, with sufficient specialisation such that there is already a developed understanding and appreciation of a body of knowledge relevant to the intended graduate research course.

Where degree levels are referenced, levels align with the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). Applications are assessed against these standards.

Where our admission criteria include a minimum Weighted Average Mark (WAM) and/or specific subject criteria, these are based on University of Melbourne grades and subjects. If you’ve studied elsewhere, we’ll assess your relevant prior studies and equivalent grades. Your final WAM may be adjusted depending on your previous institution’s accreditation, subject grading, and pass marks.

English language requirements

All applicants to the University of Melbourne must satisfy our English language requirements. You can meet this requirement in several ways, including recognised previous study taught and assessed entirely in English or an approved English language test. If you are from a non-English speaking background, the required standard of English for this degree is one of the following English proficiency test scores:

• IELTS Academic English: Minimum score of 6.5 overall (writing 6.0; speaking 6.0; reading 6.0; listening 6.0)
• TOEFL: Minimum score of 81 (writing 19; speaking 19; reading 16; listening 16)
• Pearson: Minimum score of 64 (writing 60; speaking 60; reading 60; listening 60)
• Cambridge C1 Advanced: Minimum score of 169 (writing 170; speaking 179; reading 163; listening 163)
• LanguageCert: Minimum score of 67 (writing 64; speaking 70; reading 60; listening 57)
• MET: Minimum score of 58 (writing 57; speaking 48; reading 55; listening 56)

^{*Accepted tests: IELTS (Academic English only); TOEFL Internet-based test; Pearson Test of English Academic; Cambridge English: Advanced/Certificate of Advanced English (CAE); LanguageCert Academic; Michigan English Test. If a test displays N/A, it is not accepted for this course.}

About selection

As part of your application, you must also:

• Provide a curriculum vitae (CV) outlining relevant education, work experience, skills and achievements. Include details about any research experience, publications, academic projects and contributions to scholarly work
• Provide a research proposal (up to 2500 words) in accordance with course-specific requirements. Information should include, but not be limited to: summarising the research topic, objectives and proposed thesis title
• Provide a recent example of scholarly writing of 3000–5000 words, if relevant
• Provide a folio of work demonstrating professional experience and skills relevant to the course, if relevant
• Provide a recorded audition or attend an in-person audition, if relevant
• a proposed research supervisor’s name, title, and endorsement, confirming their support for your research
• Provide referee contact details
• Provide referee reports
• Attend an interview.

Missing information or documents may result in your application being deemed ineligible.

When assessing (and where relevant, ranking) applications, the Selection Committee will consider:

• Relevance of previous study
• Prior academic performance
• Motivation to complete the course
• Capacity to complete the course
• Relevant prior (research and/or professional) experience
• Performance at an interview
• Quality of research proposal
• Required resources, facilities and supervisory arrangements
• Demonstrated ability in Indigenous knowledge practices
• Demonstrated ability in academic writing, if relevant
• Audition performance, if relevant
• Assessment of folio, if relevant.

The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Selection and Admission Policy.

Meeting the minimum entry requirements for this course does not guarantee selection.

Additional information

All candidates are required to complete the equivalent of at least 12 months full-time (24 months part-time) advanced study and research at the University unless studying at an approved outside institution. The Pro Vice-Chancellor for graduate research may provide a partial waiver of this requirement in certain circumstances. Entirely remote or online supervision will not usually be approved.