Apply for graduate research

Our world-leading researchers are available to supervise graduates on their way to becoming the next generation of research-qualified professionals.

Undertaking a research degree at VU will enhance your career with advanced skills in research, critical thinking and problem-solving.

Our completion rates are among the highest in Australia – with students benefitting from expert supervision and training to graduate as successful, qualified researchers.

How to apply for a research degree

You must contact a supervisor and receive an in-principle approval from that supervisor before you submit your application.

Step 3 has details on the process of contacting a prospective supervisor.

The signed HDR prospective supervisor form must be uploaded in your application.

HDR prospective supervisor form (PDF, 551.45 KB)

You can research with an industry partner via the VU INSPIRED program

: We offer four research degrees with varying durations and coursework requirements (two master research degrees, PhD Integrated and PhD). Your area's research institute will decide which course is the best match for your current qualifications and discipline background. Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) courses have an 'Integrated' option to pathway into PhD study.
The Institute for Health & Sport specialises in sport, medical, social and policy research:
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Doctor of Philosophy (Integrated PhD)
Master of Research
Master of Applied Research .
The Institute for Sustainable Industries & Liveable Cities incorporates a broad range of disciplines, including arts, business, education, engineering, law, science and economics:
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Doctor of Philosophy (Integrated PhD)
Master of Research
Master of Applied Research .
: You will need to meet the minimum academic entry requirements for admission.
You will need to demonstrate a capacity to undertake significant research in your chosen field.
If your previous qualifications are from an overseas institution, your application will be assessed for equivalence to Australian Higher Education Degrees.
: Field of Research (FoR) code
You must include the FoR code in your application and research proposal (see Step 4: Prepare your research proposal) which closely aligns with your area of research.
Applications across all codes listed will be considered, however priority will be given to Priority FoR codes. You may only select one code from the following list:
Priority FoR codes:
4501 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, language and historical
4502 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education
4504 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing
4505 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander society and community
5201 - Applied and developmental psychology
3801 - Applied economics
4901 - Applied mathematics
4602 - Artificial intelligence
3101 - Biochemistry and cell biology
3302 - Building
4004 - Chemical engineering
4005 - Civil engineering
5203 - Clinical and health psychology
3504 - Commercial services
4402 - Criminology
4702 - Cultural studies
3901 - Curriculum and Pedagogy
4606 - Distributed computing and systems software
3103 - Ecology
3903 - Education systems
4008 - Electrical engineering
3006 - Food sciences
4303 - Historical studies
4609 - Information systems
4017 - Mechanical engineering
3208 - Medical physiology
4205 - Nursing
3210 - Nutrition and Dietetics
4519 - Other Indigenous data, methodogies and global Indigenous studies
4407 - Policy and Administration
4206 - Public Health
5205 - Social and personality psychology
4410 - Sociology
3904 - Specialist studies in education
4207 - Sports science and exercise
3508 - Tourism
Accreditation FoR codes:
3501 - Accounting, Auditing and Accountability
4801 - Commercial Law
4802 - Environmental and resources law
4803 - International and comparative law
4804 - Law in context
4805 - Legal systems
4806 - Private law and civil obligations
4807 - Public law
4409 - Social Work
Emerging Priority FoR codes:
4603 - Computer vision and multimedia computation
3902 - Education, policy sociology and philosophy
4009 - Electronics, sensors and digital hardware
3204 - Immunology
3507 - Strategy, management and organisational behaviour
3509 - Transportation, logistics and supply chain
Applicants must include the FoR code in their research proposal (Step 4: Prepare your research proposal).
Identifying a supervisor
Supervisors are active researchers working within VU's institutes and research centres. They provide guidance and support throughout your research.
It is important to identify a supervisor that shares an interest in your research topic.
Refer to the 'find a researcher' search for a supervisor and their contact details.
You must contact a supervisor and receive in principle approval for your research project. In order to submit evidence of this approval, you will need to include the completed HDR prospective supervisor form when you apply for a research degree.
HDR prospective supervisor form (PDF, 551.45 KB)
Please note the following information before lodging your application:
you should understand course structure requirements, including research preparatory coursework units
if you do not submit the HDR prospective supervisor form your application will not be considered
the Institute makes final determination and approval for appropriate supervision for the proposed research
you must provide a Field of Research Code or your application will not be considered
you will need to meet the minimum academic entry requirements for admission - previous qualifications from overseas institutions will be assessed for equivalence to Australian higher education degrees
you must meet the English-language requirements.
The admissions team does not provide assistance to applicants seeking a supervisor.
: All graduate research applicants are required to prepare a research proposal for submission. Your research proposal should be 1-2 pages (typed, A4), with the recommended word lengths:
nominated Field of Research code
research project title (20 words)
name and institute of your nominated principal supervisor and associate supervisor (on the title page)
research questions, aims and field of research (200–300 words)
significance of the research (200 words)
methodology and research techniques (400 words)
an indication of how your project is informed by the literature (5–10 scholarly references; 200–300 words, plus reference list)
facilities and equipment required.
This initial proposal gives us an understanding of your research interests. Study in the early stages of your research degree may lead to changes. In some cases, your supervisor(s) may suggest a project linked with both of your interests.
: Domestic applicants
Domestic applicants refers to Australian citizens or permanent residents of Australia or New Zealand citizens.
To apply, refer to 'Step 1- Select a suitable study level' and click the relevant course link.
If the course is open for applications you will see an 'Apply' button on the course page. Use this to begin the application process.
If the 'apply' button isn't present, use the enquiry form to express interest and ask to be notified when applications open.
During the application, you'll need to include:
academic transcripts*
qualification certificates
research proposal – including supervisor's name and priority FoR (as above)*
200-word personal statement (see following) – include your reasons for wanting to undertake this research, and your academic path or trajectory
up-to-date CV
two written academic references – letters from previous lecturers or supervisors, including their titles, institutions and contact details (no template available)
signed HDR prospective supervisor form (you are required to seek in-principle support of supervision), available below*.
*These documents must be uploaded in your application.
HDR prospective supervisor form (PDF, 551.45 KB)
200-word personal statement (PDF, 70.83 KB)
All domestic applicants will be considered for an Australian government-funded place under the Research Training Program (RTP). Please note, should your enrolment exceed the funded period of support, you may incur the tuition fees at the yearly rate per semester enrolment.
If your application is successful, you will receive a formal offer via email from our Admissions team. Please proceed to Step 6.
International applicants
Submit your application through Victoria University International.
As part of our admissions guidelines for all applicants, we ask that you contact a supervisor and receive an in-principle approval from that supervisor before you submit your application.
In order to submit evidence of this approval, you will need to include the HDR prospective supervisor form (see following) when you first contact a supervisor.
You will need to supply the following when you apply:
academic transcripts*
qualification certificates
research proposal – including supervisor's name and priority FoR (as above)*
200-word personal statement – include your reasons for wanting to undertake this research, and your academic path or trajectory
up-to-date CV
two written academic references – letters from previous lecturers or supervisors, including their titles, institutions and contact details (no template available)
signed HDR prospective supervisor form (you are required to seek in-principle support of supervision), available below*.
*These documents must be uploaded in your application.
HDR prospective supervisor form (PDF, 551.45 KB)
200-word personal statement (PDF, 70.83 KB)
If your application is successful, you will receive a formal Letter of Offer sent by VU International. Please proceed to Step 6.
Please be aware of the relevant deadlines for off-shore and on-shore applications.
All applicants – admission with advanced candidature
If you are currently enrolled in a higher degree by research with another institution, and would like to transfer to VU, you may be eligible for admission with advanced candidature.
Applicants must upload the advanced candidature supervisor form, completed by their prospective supervisor, as part of their application for admission. Applications will not be considered if this is incomplete or not submitted as part of the application process.
Application for advanced candidature (PDF, 356.01 KB)
Advanced candidature supervisor form (PDF, 195.64 KB)
: If your application is successful, you will receive a letter of offer via email with instructions on how to accept it. Domestic and International offers vary, so ensure you read the conditions before accepting the offer.
Research Period 1, 2025
17 February 2025
Prior to accepting the offer for the enrolling degree, ensure you view the course timetable for Research Period 1, 2025 to see class attendance dates and times:
Research Masters – Research Period 1, 2025 Timetable (PDF, 581.09 KB)
PhD (Integrated): Year 1 Program – Research Period 1 2025 Timetable (PDF, 768.51 KB)
PhD Coursework Units – Research Period 1, 2025 (PDF, 212.75 KB)
Research Period 2, 2025
28 July 2025
Prior to accepting the offer for the enrolling degree, ensure you view the course timetable for Research Period 2, 2025 to see class attendance dates and times:
Research Masters – Research Period 2, 2025 Timetable (PDF, 581.05 KB)
PhD (Integrated): Year 1 Program – Research Period 2, 2025 Timetable (PDF, 760.59 KB)
PhD Coursework Units – Research Period 2, 2025 (PDF, 217.13 KB)
Applicants who are made an offer and accept must present in Melbourne by the stipulated enrolment date (in the letter of offer).
VU Research will not normally accept a deferral of an offer to the next Research Period.
Students are enrolled for 365 days of the year.
Once enrolled, talk to your supervisor about the VU Doctoral Internship Program.

Important dates

Find information on when to submit your application, depending on whether you are a domestic or international applicant, and discover dates that relate to both.

All applicants who are made an offer and accept must present in Melbourne by the stipulated enrolment date.

Application dates

Applications for Research Period 1, 2025 are closed.

: All domestic students including Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent Australian humanitarian visas are considered Australian residents.
Before lodging an application, please refer to 'how to apply for a research degree'- 6 Step process above.
To lodge an application, you must:
refer to 'Step 1: Select a suitable study level'
click the relevant course to apply under the aligned institute; you will then be directed to the relevant course page
click 'apply' or scroll down to 'how to apply' for more information before lodging an application.
A successful applicant may be offered a RTP Fees Offset which pays for the tuition fees of a higher degree by research (HDR) student that would otherwise have been paid by the student. This requires a university to fully offset the tuition fees applicable for a student. This is not a stipend.
Refer to Research Training Program FAQs
Applications are closed
: International applicants can be currently residing in Australia or offshore.
Prior to lodging an application, please refer to 'How to apply for a research degree' – 6-step process above.
To lodge an application, you must refer to 'Step 5: Submit your application'.
Applications closed: 11.59pm, Sunday 15 September 2024

The following information is only for applicants who are made an offer and accept a place.

Enrolment dates

Refer to ‘Step 6: Enrolments and commencement’ to view the enrolment date for the accepted degree.

Coursework start dates

Commencing students are required to complete compulsory coursework units aligned to the enrolled degree, unless Advanced Standing has been approved prior to enrolment.

Coursework units start dates

Master degrees and PhD (Integrated):

Research Period 1, 2025: 17 February 2025
Research Period 2, 2025: 28 July 2025

PhD:

Research Period 1, 2025: 7 March 2025
Research Period 2, 2025: 8 August 2025

Master and PhD (Integrated) coursework units are delivered in person at Footscray Park Campus (Melbourne). Classes are normally taught during business hours – refer to the Step 6: Enrolments & commencement accordion to view a copy of a coursework timetable.

PhD coursework units are taught in hybrid delivery mode to optimise flexibility and involve a Saturday intensive on campus (Footscray Park). Several classes will be delivered in real-time online; both units conclude with an on-campus PhD Coursework Conference.

: Commencing students are expected to attend the induction session hosted by the Graduate Research School for the Master degrees and PhD integrated:
Research Period 1, 2025: 17 February 2025, 1-2pm
Research Period 2, 2025: 28 July 2025, 1–2pm
: All commencing students are expected to attend the Orientation session hosted by the Graduate Research School:
Research Period 1, 2025: 7 March 2025
Research Period 2, 2025: 8 August 2025

Come research with us

Our research is focused on the health of the environment and communities. Exemplifying this approach is our commitment to an Indigenous research agenda of pursuing social justice outcomes through research within a framework of decolonisation. We work to enhance Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, wellbeing and empowerment through research in:

self-determination
displacement and identity
international activist connections
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge
climate change.

The VU Real-World Researcher - transcript

Our commitment to an Indigenous research agenda

We have a responsibility to respect and listen to First Nations voices and standpoints. Everything we do and every decision we make is underpinned by a commitment to Protecting Country.