Entry requirements for research
Checking your eligibility is the first step in applying for a higher degree by research (masters or PhD). You’ll need to meet the academic entry requirements or demonstrate an honours equivalence.
Read about the entry requirements for a masters by research (Master of Philosophy) or PhD. International applicants should also be aware of additional eligibility requirements, including English language and financial requirements.
Not eligible yet? The Graduate Certificate in Research is a six‑month pathway that can help prepare you for a higher degree by research.
Eligibility
To be eligible for a Master of Philosophy, you need to have one of the following:
- completed an undergraduate degree with an honours year (minimum of second class), including a thesis or dissertation that demonstrates your ability to undertake research at a masters level
- a combination of relevant professional, study and research experience. This is known as honours equivalence.
To be eligible for a PhD, you need to have one of the following:
- completed an undergraduate degree with an honours year (minimum of second class upper division), including a thesis or dissertation that demonstrates your ability to undertake research at a PhD level
- completed a masters by research, including a thesis or dissertation that demonstrates your ability to undertake research at a PhD level
- be a current masters by research candidate who has demonstrated sufficient research capability to progress to a PhD, assessed through the Confirmation of Candidature
- a combination of relevant professional, study and research experience. This is known as honours equivalence.
Building an honours equivalence case
If you’re applying without an honours degree or a masters by research, you may provide supplementary information to support your application. This is called honours equivalence. You’ll need to show that you’ve completed research and generated outputs at an honours-level standard in terms of both quantity and quality.
This generally means you have either:
- completed six to nine months of research or research‑related activity (full time or part-time equivalent), as evidenced by exhibitions of creative work and peer reviewed publications or reports
- completed substantial research as part of an AQF level eight or higher coursework.
Your research must be equivalent to first or second class honours (upper division) and include publications or a minor thesis of at least 12,000 words.
Honours equivalence
If you’ve completed a masters by coursework including a Master of Philosophy, this can support your honours equivalence case. You’ll need to show that a substantial part of your degree involved research. This is assessed by looking at the proportion of research‑related work completed during your degree, not the grades you received.
| Research example | Research project | Research-related coursework |
| Honours equivalence example 1 | 75% of credit points for at least one semester of full-time study | 25% of credit points for at least one semester of full-time study |
| Honours equivalence example 2 | 50% of credit points for at least one semester of full-time study | 50% of credit points for at least one semester of full-time study |
| Honours equivalence example 3 | 25% of credit points for at least one semester of full-time study | 75% of credit points for at least one semester of full-time study |
When you apply, include details of all your postgraduate study, including academic transcripts and the credit point weighting of any research or research‑related activities. If you completed your qualification overseas, include an independent comparability assessment where possible.
You can also support your application by providing evidence of awards or prizes based on research outcomes, and your involvement in peer‑reviewed publications or other research outputs. If you include publications, please provide copies of the papers, an assessment of your contribution, the type of publication, and any evidence of independent assessment.
If your research was completed as part of your employment or other research‑related work, this experience may support an honours equivalence case. You’ll need to provide evidence that shows the quantity and quality of your research meets the entry requirements. This may include evidence of:
- type and length of employment in a research related position
- duties and activities undertaken in the course of employment
- peer reviewed publications or reports produced in relation to your employment or activity
- exhibitions or publications of creative work with peer review
- awards or prizes received.
You can also support your application by providing evidence of awards or prizes based on research outcomes, and your involvement in peer‑reviewed publications or other research outputs. If you include publications, please provide copies of the papers, an assessment of your contribution, the type of publication, and any evidence of independent assessment.
International students
If you’re an international applicant, you need to meet English language proficiency requirements to study a Master of Philosophy or PhD.
This is can be demonstrated through approved English language test results. Applicants from non‑English speaking countries must achieve at least one of the following results from an approved test taken within the last two years:
- IELTS: overall score of 6.5, with no band lower than 6.0
- TOEFL (paper‑based): 580, plus 5.0 in the Test of Written English (TWE)
- TOEFL (computer‑based): 237, with a minimum score of 22 in writing
- TOEFL (internet‑based): 92–93, with a minimum score of 22 in writing.
You may also be eligible to request an English language proficiency exemption based on non‑test evidence, such as prior study or proof of citizenship or residency in an English‑speaking country.
International applicants will need to show that you can cover both your tuition fees, living expenses and overseas student health cover – either through existing funds or ongoing income.
This is assessed as part of the pre‑visa assessment process.
Some research may be subject to United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and Australian autonomous sanctions, which can affect project approval. If this applies, we recommend discussing it with us early.
For details on current sanctions and affected countries, visit the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website.