You can apply for a research degree via our online application form.

First you'll need to:

  • make sure you meet the entry and English language requirements
  • find a supervisor
  • prepare your supporting documents
  • complete your research proposal.

Then you can submit your expression of interest (EOI) via the online form. If successful, you'll receive an invitation to submit your final application. It usually takes between 6 to 8 weeks from submitting your EOI until you receive your admission outcome.

If you're applying in the annual scholarship round, it may take longer to receive your outcome. Make sure you check the eligibility and dates for applying for a research scholarship.

Already submitted your expression of interest and application? Find out what happens next, including important information for international students.

Academic entry requirements

You'll need to show that you are prepared for research studies. You can do this by providing evidence of:

  • your research experience
  • your university degree, completed no more than 10 years ago
  • meeting the English language requirements.

Use our research degree eligibility check tool to find out if you're likely to meet the requirements for your chosen course.

Check your academic eligibility

Find all course entry requirements, including English language requirements, detailed under each of our research courses:

Do I need to meet English language requirements?

Students should check the course entry requirements, where you'll find a specialised guide to countries and qualifications which meet the requirements. The guide will help you decide if you need to take an English language proficiency test.

You'll need to meet the English language requirements prior to submitting your expression of interest. We recommend booking a test as soon as possible.

We accept test results from:

  • IELTS (Academic)
  • TOEFL iBT (Internet-based)
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic)
  • Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)
  • Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)

If you are registering for a TOEFL test, you can organise to send your results directly to us. Our TOEFL institution code is 9778.

English testOverallListeningReadingWritingSpeaking
PTE Academic 58 50 50 50 50
Cambridge English Score
You must share your results with QUT through the Candidate Results Online website.		 176 169 169 169 169
IELTS Academic / IELTS One Skills Retake 6.5 6 6 6 6
TOEFL iBT / Paper 79 16 16 21 18

Do I need to use a QUT representative to apply?

We assess the genuine temporary entrant (GTE) requirements for all international applicants as part of the Australian Government's simplified student visa framework (SSVF).

If you are self-funded, we may request additional information to help assess your eligibility.

If your country of citizenship is listed below, you will need to use a QUT official representative to lodge your application. Some agents may charge a fee.

You can find a representative near you.

All countries

  • Afghanistan
  • Iran
  • Iraq
  • Syria
  • Lebanon
  • Yemen
  • Bangladesh
  • Bhutan
  • India
  • Nepal
  • Pakistan
  • North Korea (DPRK)
  • Myanmar (Burma)
  • Russia
  • Ukraine


This list is subject to change. Australian sanction laws enforce United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and Australian Autonomous sanctions regimes. Up to date details on country specific sanctions can be found on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website.

Find a supervisor in your research area

Start by exploring our research strengths and our experts to find research areas aligned to your skills and interests.

Explore all areas of focus and research strengths

Contact your proposed supervisor

Once you're identified your research area, contact a QUT researcher with relevant experience and ask if they are willing to supervise your project.

Not all academics at QUT are available to supervise research students, so contact your preferred potential supervisor early to check their availability. You'll need your proposed supervisor's written support before you can submit your expression of interest.

Search for a supervisor

Your supervisory team are the most important people you'll work with while you're researching. You'll meet with them regularly, and they'll provide support and guidance throughout your project.

Find a research topic

As part of your application, you must propose a research topic and develop a research proposal.

You can search our student topics database for available research projects or propose your own research topic.

Available student topics

Your research proposal

Your research proposal must be uploaded with your expression of interest. It is a key requirement of your application. Writing a research proposal is an essential step in defining and conveying your research interests and goals.

We recommend that you align your research project and proposal to one of your key research areas.

Once you have your proposed supervisor's written agreement to support your project, work with them to develop your research proposal.

Preparing your proposal

Each of our research areas has individual criteria for a research proposal.

Find the template for your research area.

Use the Faculty of Business and Law research proposal template (DOCX file, 90.7 KB) if your research relates to:

  • accountancy
  • advertising, marketing and public relations
  • economics and finance
  • management.

Consult your supervisor for advice and write your own research proposal using this template.

You must use the Faculty of Creative Industries, Education and Social Justice research proposal template (DOCX file, 86.9 KB) if your research will be hosted by the:

  • School of Communication
  • School of Creative Arts
  • School of Design.

You must use the Faculty of Creative Industries, Education and Social Justice research proposal template (DOCX file, 86.9 KB) if your research will be hosted by the:

  • School of Early Childhood and Inclusive Education
  • School of Teacher Education and Leadership.

Use the Faculty of Engineering research proposal template (DOCX file, 191.2 KB) if your research relates to:

  • architecture, including landscape architecture and interior design
  • built environment
  • engineering (civil, electrical, environmental, mechanical, medical and process)
  • robotics.

Work with your supervisor to align your proposal with our engineering discipline requirements.

You must use the Faculty of Health research proposal template (DOCX file, 85.4 KB) if your research will be hosted by the:

  • School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences
  • School of Clinical Sciences (including Optometry and Vision Sciences)
  • School of Biomedical Sciences
  • School of Nursing
  • School of Public Health and Social Work.

You must use the School of Psychology and Counselling research proposal template (DOCX file, 752.9 KB) if your research will be hosted within this school including CARRS-Q.

You must use the Faculty of Creative Industries, Education and Social Justice research proposal template (DOCX file, 86.9 KB) if your research will be hosted by the School of Justice.

Use the Faculty of Business and Law research proposal template (DOCX file, 90.7 KB) if your research will be hosted by the School of Law.

Write your own research proposal using the template.

You must use the Faculty of Science research proposal template (DOCX file, 96.1 KB) if your research relates to:

  • biology
  • chemistry and physics
  • computer science
  • earth and atmospheric sciences
  • environmental science
  • information systems
  • mathematical sciences.

Work with your supervisor to align your proposal with our science discipline requirements.

Your expression of interest

In your expression of interest, you need to:

  • provide all your personal and academic information
  • upload evidence of support from your proposed supervisor
  • provide your English language certification (check your course requirements)
  • write a summary of your research project explaining (in maximum 500 characters per item):
    • project objectives
    • overview of research topic
    • proposed methods
    • potential for industry engagement (if relevant)
    • previous research experience.
  • upload your academic records
  • upload your CV
  • upload proof of your citizenship or residence
  • upload your research proposal.

Required documentation

If you have undertaken study at QUT or any other Australian university listed as a QualSearch participating institution you don't need to submit these academic records, as we can verify them online.

If you have studied at other institutions, either international or not listed on the Australian QualSearch participating institutions, you must submit at the expression of interest:

  • a high-resolution copy of your academic transcripts, award certificate, or other evidence of completion
  • the grading scale of your university (this may be on the back page of your transcript)
  • if the documents are in a language other than English, you must also provide an official English translation
  • if you receive an offer of admission you may need to provide certified copies of your documentation.

If you've completed any English language course or test to meet the English language requirements for your course, you must provide evidence. If you’re applying for a QUT scholarship, you’ll need to provide the evidence with your expression of interest.

Your resume should outline your relevant research activities, including:

  • research-related employment
  • research publications
  • other research achievements.

Include any documents that demonstrate proof of your research activities and abilities.

You can follow our guide to formatting a curriculum vitae (PDF file, 156.58 KB).

If professional experience is an entry requirement for your course, or you believe it will add to your application, you must provide statements from your employers.

These statements should be on company letterhead, be signed and dated, and include:

  • your position title and duties
  • whether you were employed full time, or the full-time equivalent you worked
  • the dates you were employed.

Provide a certified copy of either:

  • the relevant pages of your passport
  • your birth certificate
  • your certificate of citizenship.

If you're applying for a scholarship for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander students, you'll need to provide confirmation of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent before your scholarship can start. Find out more about confirmation of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent via the Australian Institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies website.

You must provide evidence of your name change, such as your marriage certificate or deed poll, if:

  • the name you provide on your application form is different to the name on any supporting official documents
  • you have official documents issued in more than one name.

Different study arrangements

Depending on the circumstances of your proposed research degree, you may need to provide further documentation to help us process your application.

Your application may be linked to an existing international agreement that will allow you to study jointly at QUT and another leading university overseas.

You should discuss this agreement with your potential supervisor and get their help to complete an individual student agreement. If you need a copy of this agreement, email hdrpartners@qut.edu.au

Read the collaborative Higher Degree Research programs student guide (PDF file, 232KB) for more information.

If your research is being supported by an organisation external to QUT, a person authorised by the organisation needs to supply a statement indicating the support the organisation will provide.

If you want to transfer to research at QUT, you still need to complete a full application. You'll also need to provide an official letter from your university that includes:

  • degree or course type
  • thesis topic
  • milestone dates
  • start date of candidature and consumed load
  • maximum candidature date
  • if domestic, your Research Training Program (RTP) Fees Offset entitlements
  • scholarship commencement, if you hold a scholarship
  • approved leave of absence dates
  • withdrawal date
  • completion date of confirmation process
  • confirmation that there are no encumbrances to the intellectual property the student will be utilising in the QUT project

You must also supply:

  • the name of your former principal supervisor
  • the reason you're transferring
  • your most recent progress report
  • ethics approval, if applicable. Either attach your prior ethics approval, or details of any QUT ethics approval applications in progress.

When should I apply?

Usually you receive your outcome 6-8 weeks after you've submitted your expression of interest. If you apply during the scholarship round, it may take longer.

If you have to apply for an Australian visa to study, you will need an offer of admission first. We recommend you submit your application at least 6-7 months before you intend to start the degree.

When should I apply for a scholarship?

Check the opening and closing dates for the scholarships you are interested in and follow the advice about applying for a research scholarship.

I want to research in creative industries or education

Creative industries and education have specific dates when you can submit your expression of interest. These dates relate to admission only. If you want to apply for a scholarship, follow the advice about applying for a research scholarship and check the relevant scholarship application dates so you apply at the right time.

PhD and Master of Philosophy

You'll start your research degree at the beginning of either Semester 1 or Semester 2 so that you can complete compulsory coursework.

Submit your expression of interest:

  • between 14 June and 31 October to start in Semester 1 of the following year
  • between 1 February and 31 May to start in Semester 2 of the same year.
PhD

We recommend you submit your expression of interest 6-7 months before your proposed start date.

Master of Philosophy

You'll start your research degree at the beginning of either Semester 1 or Semester 2 so that you can complete compulsory coursework.

Submit your expression of interest:

  • between 14 June and 31 October to start in Semester 1 of the following year
  • between 1 February and 31 May to start in Semester 2 of the same year.
Doctor of Education

You'll start your research degree in January. Submit your expression of interest between 14 June and 31 October to start studying next year.

Scholarships

If you want to apply for a QUT scholarship, check your eligibility and the deadlines for applying.

Applying for a research scholarship

Explore our research scholarships

International students

International students can find out about the costs of studying a research degree below. When you apply for a visa, you may need to provide evidence to the Australian government of your financial capacity for paying to live and study in Australia. We will ask you about this in your online application.

Tuition for your research degree

Find out more about how much your research degree will cost, including types of funding available, tuition details and study-related costs.

Tuition and financial assistance

Submit your expression of interest

If you've prepared your expression of interest information and collated your documents, you're ready to submit.

Submit your expression of interest

What happens next?

Already submitted your online expression of interest and application? Find out what happens next, including important information for international students.

Find out what happens next

Contact us

If you've got any questions about how to apply, contact us today.

+61 7 3138 7200