How to apply

Step 1 - Find a research degree

Find the right research degree for you on our full listing of higher degrees by research.

Step 2 - Find a supervisor

Scholarship applicants - All Commonwealth Government and University scholarship applicants must complete an Expression of Interest (EOI) form and have it signed by a potential supervisor to be assured of being considered for scholarship. You should upload the EOI form with your online application. The potential supervisor will also provide you with a Pre-Identified Candidate (PIC) code which must be included in your application. Please see the Guide for uploading this information with your online application. Support from a potential supervisor is needed before your application can be considered but does not guarantee that you will be offered admission or awarded a scholarship.

The EOI form is a fillable PDF. Please right click the link below and save the document to your computer.

• Download the Expression of Interest form (PDF, 176 KB)

For admission only applicants - it is highly recommended you liaise with a potential supervisor prior to submitting your application.

Find a supervisor

Step 3 - Write a research proposal

You are required to submit a research proposal which is a clear statement describing your proposed area of research. Consultation with an academic staff member in your area of research interest is required.

• Download the research proposal template (PDF, 109 KB)

Step 4 - Apply now

Please note the documents / supporting evidence that you may be required to provide in support of your application for admission:

• Research proposal must be supplied for all applications
• Birth certificate, if not previously enrolled at this University within the last seven years
• Copy of personal details page of your passport, and visa if applicable
• Evidence of citizenship, if not born in Australia or New Zealand, and not previously enrolled at this University within the past seven years
• English translations of academic qualifications, if academic qualifications are not in English
• Copies of English Language qualification, or details of English proficiency, or evidence of recognised qualification wholly conducted and assessed in English, of at least one year FTE duration, from an exempt country and a citizen or resident in the country for the duration of the studies (see Table 2 of the English Requirements Tables), or evidence of recognised qualification completed within the last five years wholly conducted and assessed in English, of at least two years FTE duration, from a non-exempt country (see Table 4 of the English Requirements Tables)
• Copies of all previous academic qualifications except for those completed at the University of Newcastle – certificates and/or transcripts for each course, whether completed or not
• Evidence of name change, if academic qualifications are in a different name. If you are an overseas registered nurse, provide a certified true copy in English of your license
• Candidature variation form for applicants intending to study off campus
• Curriculum Vitae detailing relevant experience or employment, if previous experience / employment is specified (optional)
• Statement of research experience from previous supervisor, if previous research experience is specified (optional)
• Evidence of previous enrolments for incomplete research program, if previous incomplete research programs specified.

All documentation supplied with your application must be a full colour copy of the original document, or a certified black and white copy. Applicants within Australia can refer to the What is a certified copy? article for certification requirements. If you are outside of Australia, you can have your copies of original documents certified by one of the following.

If you apply for a University scholarship, you should additionally provide evidence of previous publications / exhibitions / research attainments. These are required if the attainments are to be included in your points ranking. See the HDR Scholarship Guidelines for more information. All applications for scholarship must include a Pre-Identified Candidate (PIC) code, which is provided by a potential supervisor (see Step 2).

International applicants: please note that the International Sanctions Compliance Assessment is a requirement of the Higher Degree by Research admission process.

Register and apply online

If you have already registered, continue to the online application form.