Overview

• Key application dates
• How to apply
• After you apply
• Additional information

Key application dates

This course accepts applications throughout the year. Offers are normally made for candidature and scholarship in December for commencement the following year.

Applicants with confirmed external funding (such as a scholarship from another body) may be considered outside the standard rounds – contact the ABP Graduate Research team.

Upcoming intakes and key dates

^{*International students currently enrolled in the Bachelor of Design (Honours) or a Masters by Coursework program in the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning at the University of Melbourne should apply by 31 October.}

^{**Round 2 is only run where scholarships remain to be awarded; all eligible applications (international and domestic) will be considered.}

Important notes on applications

• If you submit an application outside the published deadlines, we may hold it for the next selection round.
• The University assesses applications only after receiving all required documents and referee reports.

Scholarship application deadlines

You'll automatically be considered for most graduate research scholarships when you apply for your course. No separate application is needed. Some scholarships have additional eligibility criteria, separate application methods or earlier internal deadlines. Explore additional available scholarships and check the relevant application timelines. For other Faculty scholarships, an Expression of Interest may be required.

How to apply

Step 1 – Review entry requirements and eligibility

• Review the Entry requirements tab for the academic qualifications, English language requirements and selection criteria for this course.
• The Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning offers a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) as well as the Master of Philosophy. We recommend that you familiarise yourself with both programs before deciding which is most suitable for you.

Step 2 – Find a prospective supervisor

Before applying, you must have written support from an academic supervisor who is a current staff member of the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning.

To find a supervisor and a research project, you can:

• Find a research supervisor on Find an Expert – filter to researchers available for supervision.
• Explore research project opportunities on Find an Expert, and submit an expression of interest where one is available.
• Search for your research topics of interest to find and contact prospective supervisors directly.

You can also explore the faculty’s research areas, centres and labs through our website. Or view the Our People page to see academic staff.

When contacting a supervisor, include the following documents:

• Copies of all higher education transcripts, including a grading scale.
• A current CV or resume outlining relevant experience.
• A summary of your intended research area or a research proposal.

All supervision arrangements are also subject to the approval of the faculty's admissions committee. Support of a prospective supervisor does not guarantee entry to the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning’s research higher degree program.

Step 3 – Gather your supporting documentation

As part of your application, you’ll be required to submit:

• Transcripts: Scanned colour copies of all your higher education transcripts, completion statements, and grading schemes. Any transcript not in English should be accompanied by a translation. If there is no proof of graduation on your transcript, you must include a copy of the graduation certificate with your application.
  • Ungraded masters thesis: If you have completed a masters thesis (or will complete if you are still enrolled) which did not receive a numeric mark on your transcript (pass or fail only), or your thesis component will not appear on your transcript, you must include this further information in your online application or attach a separate statement to your application which explains this. You must attach a copy of your thesis and examiners' reports. You must also organise for your thesis examiner or supervisor to submit an Academic Report for Ungraded Thesis form. We also recommend that you nominate an academic referee who can comment directly on this ungraded thesis. They should provide as much information as possible about your thesis by completing all relevant sections of the academic referee report, and may also choose to attach a separate letter.
• CV or resume: Detail your education, work experience and any prior research output. See the Sample format for the required CV for guidance.
• English language evidence: Exemptions may apply. Check the English language requirements page to confirm whether you need a test, then see the Entry requirements tab for accepted tests and scores for this course.
• Referees and referee reports: Contact details for two academic or employer referees who can speak to your recent study or work. Notify your referees they may be contacted by the University before you submit. If it is more than 5 years since you completed your last degree, professional referees may be provided. When you submit your application, your referees will be emailed a link to access the Graduate Research Referee tool, and they must provide their references using this online tool. You will be notified when they submit a reference. All references must be submitted using the online tool by the application closing date.
• Research proposal: See detailed guidance below.
• Evidence of supervisor endorsement: Upload evidence of in-principle support from your intended principal supervisor. See Step 2 above.
• Folio of creative works: If applicable, you may also submit supporting evidence of research publications, refereed journals and/or creative works (digital portfolios, design projects) where relevant to your application.

You will also be required to attend an interview, either after contacting a potential supervisor or after submitting your application. We'll provide you with the necessary details as needed.

Preparing your research proposal

For this course, you must prepare a research proposal of up to 2500 words, not including references, tables and figures. A research proposal template can be downloaded to assist you. As a general framework, your proposal should address:

• The research question expressed briefly and in simple English (it can include technical terms)
• An explanation of the problem(s) to be explored (including aims and background),
• Articulation of the research objectives or hypotheses to be tested
• The significance of the research (including placing the proposed research within existing academic literature)
• Brief outline of the proposed research method
• A suggested work plan, including stages of research and timeline
• Personal experience in the proposed area of study and the reasons for wishing to undertake such study
• If you are proposing a thesis with a creative work output, please include details of this in your proposal.

Step 4 – Submit your application

• Submit your application online using the course code MR-PHILABP.
• For detailed instructions, see the Applications submission guide.
• The University assesses complete applications received by the deadline for that selection round.
• Once a complete application is received, the assessment process can take 8–12 weeks.
• Applications received outside the closing dates may receive an outcome or advice that their application is on hold; these applications will be processed within 8 weeks of the closing date, as outlined in the table above.

After you apply

• For details on what happens after you apply – including confirmation, assessment, outcomes, and accepting an offer – see the Offers and Enrolments page.
• Once you’ve accepted your offer, explore the Getting started guides on the Graduate Research Hub for your next steps – or browse them now to see what’s ahead.
• If you are successful in obtaining an offer for a place, the Faculty expects you to complete your enrolment and commence your course in February or March for those commencing in Semester 1 or August or September for those commencing in Semester 2. All commencing graduate researchers will be inducted on the day they enrol and invited to an orientation session with peers.

Additional information

Contact and enquiries

For questions about the course or your application, contact the ABP Research Support Office or submit an enquiry form.

Overview

• Key application dates
• How to apply
• After you apply
• Additional information

Key application dates

This course accepts applications throughout the year. Offers are normally made for candidature and scholarship in December for commencement the following year.

Applicants with confirmed external funding (such as a scholarship from another body) may be considered outside the standard rounds – contact the ABP Graduate Research team.

Upcoming intakes and key dates

^{*International students currently enrolled in the Bachelor of Design (Honours) or a Masters by Coursework program in the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning at the University of Melbourne should apply by 31 October.}

^{**Round 2 is only run where scholarships remain to be awarded; all eligible applications (international and domestic) will be considered.}

Important notes on applications

• If you submit an application outside the published deadlines, we may hold it for the next selection round.
• The University assesses applications only after receiving all required documents and referee reports.

Scholarship application deadlines

You'll automatically be considered for most graduate research scholarships when you apply for your course. No separate application is needed. Some scholarships have additional eligibility criteria, separate application methods or earlier internal deadlines. Explore additional available scholarships and check the relevant application timelines. For other Faculty scholarships, an Expression of Interest may be required.

How to apply

Step 1 – Review entry requirements and eligibility

• Review the Entry requirements tab for the academic qualifications, English language requirements and selection criteria for this course.
• The Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning offers a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)as well as the Master of Philosophy. We recommend that you familiarise yourself with both programs before deciding which is most suitable for you.

Step 2 – Find a prospective supervisor

Before applying, you must have written support from an academic supervisor who is a current staff member of the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning.

To find a supervisor and a research project, you can:

• Find a research supervisoron Find an Expert – filter to researchers available for supervision.
• Explore research project opportunities on Find an Expert, and submit an expression of interest where one is available.
• Search for your research topics of interest to find and contact prospective supervisors directly.

You can also explore the faculty’s research areas, centres and labs through our website. Or view the Our People page to see academic staff.

When contacting a supervisor, include the following documents:

• Copies of all higher education transcripts, including a grading scale.
• A current CV or resume outlining relevant experience.
• A summary of your intended research area or a research proposal.

All supervision arrangements are also subject to the approval of the faculty's admissions committee. Support of a prospective supervisor does not guarantee entry to the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning’s research higher degree program.

Step 3 – Gather your supporting documentation

As part of your application, you’ll be required to submit:

• Transcripts: Scanned colour copies of all your higher education transcripts, completion statements, and grading schemes. Any transcript not in English should be accompanied by a translation. If there is no proof of graduation on your transcript, you must include a copy of the graduation certificate with your application.
  • Ungraded masters thesis: If you have completed a masters thesis (or will complete if you are still enrolled) which did not receive a numeric mark on your transcript (pass or fail only), or your thesis component will not appear on your transcript, you must include this further information in your online application or attach a separate statement to your application which explains this. You must attach a copy of your thesis and examiners' reports. You must also organise for your thesis examiner or supervisor to submit an Academic Report for Ungraded Thesis form. We also recommend that you nominate an academic referee who can comment directly on this ungraded thesis. They should provide as much information as possible about your thesis by completing all relevant sections of the academic referee report, and may also choose to attach a separate letter.
• CV or resume: Detail your education, work experience and any prior research output. See the Sample format for the required CVfor guidance.
• English language evidence: Exemptions may apply. Check the English language requirements pageto confirm whether you need a test, then see the Entry requirements tabfor accepted tests and scores for this course.
• Referees and referee reports: Contact details for two academic or employer referees who can speak to your recent study or work. Notify your referees they may be contacted by the University before you submit. If it is more than 5 years since you completed your last degree, professional referees may be provided. When you submit your application, your referees will be emailed a link to access the Graduate Research Referee tool, and they must provide their references using this online tool. You will be notified when they submit a reference. All references must be submitted using the online tool by the application closing date.
• Research proposal: See detailed guidance below.
• Evidence of supervisor endorsement: Upload evidence of in-principle supportfrom your intended principal supervisor. See Step 2 above.
• Folio of creative works: If applicable, you may also submit supporting evidence of research publications, refereed journals and/or creative works (digital portfolios, design projects) where relevant to your application.

You will also be required to attend an interview, either after contacting a potential supervisor or after submitting your application. We'll provide you with the necessary details as needed.

Preparing your research proposal

For this course, you must prepare a research proposal of up to 2500 words, not including references, tables and figures. A research proposal templatecan be downloaded to assist you. As a general framework, your proposal should address:

• The research question expressed briefly and in simple English (it can include technical terms)
• An explanation of the problem(s) to be explored (including aims and background),
• Articulation of the research objectives or hypotheses to be tested
• The significance of the research (including placing the proposed research within existing academic literature)
• Brief outline of the proposed research method
• A suggested work plan, including stages of research and timeline
• Personal experience in the proposed area of study and the reasons for wishing to undertake such study
• If you are proposing a thesis with a creative work output, please include details of this in your proposal.

Step 4 – Submit your application

• Submit your application online using the course code MR-PHILABP.
• For detailed instructions, see the Applications submission guide.
• The University assesses complete applications received by the deadline for that selection round.
• Once a complete application is received, the assessment process can take 8–12 weeks.
• Applications received outside the closing dates may receive an outcome or advice that their application is on hold; these applications will be processed within 8 weeks of the closing date, as outlined in the table above.

After you apply

• For details on what happens after you apply – including confirmation, assessment, outcomes, and accepting an offer – see the Offers and Enrolments page.
• Once you’ve accepted your offer, explore the Getting started guideson the Graduate Research Hub for your next steps – or browse them now to see what’s ahead.
• If you are successful in obtaining an offer for a place, the Faculty expects you to complete your enrolment and commence your course in February or March for those commencing in Semester 1 or August or September for those commencing in Semester 2. All commencing graduate researchers will be inducted on the day they enrol and invited to an orientation session with peers.

Additional information

Contact and enquiries

For questions about the course or your application, contact the ABP Research Support Office or submit an enquiry form.