Overview

Application dates

There is only one selection round each year for entry to the Master of Psychology (Educational and Developmental)/PhD. All applications must be submitted and complete by the closing date - 18th September.

We recommend you submit your application at least four weeks before the closing date, just in case any additional documentation is required.

Meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee admission into the course, as entry to candidature is very competitive. Entry to the PhD is particularly competitive; and a grade average in excess of 80% (H1) or equivalent is usually required to be admitted into this degree.

Application process

1. Write your research proposal

You must provide an extended research proposal with your application. Research proposals should be between 5-6000 words for PhD applications. The list of references (bibliography) should not be counted toward the overall word count.

Your research proposal must succinctly address the following points under separate headings:

• Research topic:

  • Outline the proposed topic of your study and explain why it is important.

• Aims and focus of study:

  • State the specific aims of your study and outline some of your potential research questions.

• Key concepts and theories:

  • Briefly discuss the key academic concepts and theories informing your study.

• Approach and methodology:

  • Provide a brief overview of the methodology you intend to use in your study and say why.

• Rationale for coming to the Faculty of Education:

  • Provide a case for why the Faculty of Education is the right research environment for your project. In doing so you should take into account the faculty's specific research strengths.
  • Provide a case for why your prospective principal supervisor is a good fit for your project. In doing so you should be specific about your prospective supervisor’s expertise and what it can bring to your project. We strongly recommend engaging with some of your prospective supervisor’s publications before writing this section.

• Resource needs (if applicable):

  • If planning to conduct resource-intensive activities such as international fieldwork briefly outline the expected costs and how you aim to cover these.

• Bibliography: Provide a list of relevant references.

2. Find a supervisor

Find a principal supervisor who will support your research proposal and application. Your supervisor must be a current staff member at the Faculty of Education.

We recommend that you search for a supervisor on the University’s Find an Expert page to find staff members working on research projects. Please attach your research proposal (or a short summary) and CV when contacting your potential supervisors via email.

You'll need to upload evidence of your intended principal supervisor’s support when submitting your application. This can be in email format and must include the intended supervisor’s agreement to supervise you should your application be successful.

Please note that all supervision arrangements are also subject to the approval of the Faculty of Education Selection Committee. Support of a prospective supervisor does not guarantee entry to the Faculty of Education’s research higher degree program.

3. Apply online

Read the application information and apply on the Graduate Research website.

Don’t forget to provide your research proposal and evidence of your intended principal supervisors support when submitting your application. You will also need to supply a 100-word summary of your project in addition to your research proposal.

If you have any questions about how to complete or submit your application, please contact Graduate Research Admissions at gr-admissions@unimelb.edu.au.

Scholarships

Prospective graduate research students will be automatically considered for scholarships as part of the graduate research degree application. Current graduate research students can apply for scholarships via their Student Portal.

Further information:

• Financial support
• Scholarships
• How are graduate research scholarships awarded?

Application outcome

All correspondence regarding your application will be by email. If your application is successful, you will receive an offer letter via email explaining how you can accept your place.

We endeavour to communicate application outcomes for all applicants within six weeks from the application closing dates.

Graduate Access Melbourne

Graduate Access Melbourne (GAM) is the University’s equity program for domestic graduate students. Under GAM, specific circumstances of applicants will be considered in relation to admission and financial assistance bursaries. There are two parts to this program:

1. Admission: Graduate Access Melbourne may assist you to gain admission into a graduate degree, even if your tertiary marks are below the entry requirements. In assessing applications, faculties and schools look to balance opportunity and your capacity to succeed.
2. Financial Assistance: Under GAM you are also considered for a grant of $5,000. Bursaries will be offered to students with the highest overall level of current disadvantage within one or more of the Graduate Access Melbourne categories.

In submitting an application under this program, you will be considered for admission and financial assistance. Completed GAM forms are to be submitted together with your course application and will be considered for entry into the course and the Graduate Access Melbourne bursary. An application does not guarantee success and you may be awarded one, neither or both, depending on your individual circumstances.

To be eligible to apply for GAM you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, an Australian permanent resident or the holder of a permanent Humanitarian Visa. You need to demonstrate the capacity to succeed in the masters degree of your choice and qualify under one or more of the following equity categories:

• Indigenous Australian
• previous status as a refugee
• disadvantaged socio-economic circumstances
• disability or chronic medical condition
• difficult personal circumstances.