Research Higher Degree Application Information

Selection Process

Before applying for admission as RHD candidates, applicants go through a school selection process that assesses their potential to complete a RHD at the University of Queensland within the time limits (4 years FTE for a PhD; 2 years FTE for a MPhil); and establishes the ability of the School to support and sustain the candidature. This selection process satisfies the proposed advisory team and proposed enrolling school that:

The applicant has an appropriate academic background, including prior research training, to commence their proposed RHD program;
The applicant has a preliminary research project that is academically appropriate for their proposed RHD program;
The research project can be funded and supported to completion; and
The University of Queensland has sufficient academic expertise, facilities, and resources to support them in their proposed research project.

Application Procedure

All intending applicants are expected to familiarise themselves with the University and School application eligibility and procedures. Applicants are required to identify potential advisors and initiate contact, usually via email. You can find potential advisors in our staff directory. A potential advisor may advise that he or she is unable to undertake an advisory role and may refer the applicant to other academic staff who may be appropriate to contact.

Alternatively, the potential advisor may decide that he or she is interested in supporting a research application. In this case, the advisor requests the applicant to lodge an Expression of Interest form (EOI) with the School Postgraduate Administrative Officer.

All general enquiries and/or unsolicited Expression of Interests received via email, phone or letter at the School are referred to the Postgraduate Administrative Officer (PAO). Upon receipt of initial enquiry the PAO sends a standard email which includes information on how to apply and web links to UQ Graduate School for application process, and School web page. Expression of Interest forms will not be actioned unless a potential advisor has been contacted and agreed to initiate the application process.
Upon receipt of the Expression of Interest from an applicant the PAO will confirm that the nominated potential advisor has endorsed the acceptance of an EOI. The PAO will then take a copy of the EOI for School records and forward the EOI to the potential Advisor. People who submit EOIs without approval from a potential Advisor will be sent an email from the PAO (as step 1) and advised to seek a potential advisor who agrees to support their application.
The advisor reviews the qualifications, skills and experience of the potential applicant. If the advisor agrees to take on the applicant, he or she invites the applicant to submit a formal application for admission. The formal application and the EOI may be submitted simultaneously if that is appropriate.

Domestic and International applicants are required to complete slightly different application processes at this step.

International Applicant: The applicant, in conjunction with the potential academic advisor, completes the Preliminary Research Proposal form and forwards the proposal with the application and relevant documents to the International Education Directorate. Application procedures and forms are available at UQ International.

Domestic Applicant: The applicant completes the Application for Admission and Scholarship form which includes a preliminary research proposal. This should be done in collaboration with the potential advisor. Domestic applications are submitted directly to the Psychology PAO.
The PAO checks all forms and relevant document/s have been received and forwards the application to the nominated Principal Advisor with the School Recommendation on an Application for Admission and Scholarship form.
The nominated Principal Advisor completes School recommendation form and returns the form to the PAO. The PAO will check the Advisor's current advisory load. Please note that international applications are managed electronically via email and the Principal Advisor forwards the School recommendation by email directly to the Chair, RHD Committee.
PAO forwards the School recommendation and application to Chair, RHD Committee, for assessment. The Chair will return the form and application to the PAO. International applications are managed electronically and the Chair of the RHD Committee will forward recommendation directly to IED with a cc to the PAO. The Chair of the RHD Committee will discuss any issues with the PA, as required.
PAO copies all forms and forwards to Graduate School.
For International applicants, upon acceptance of offer and prior to or upon commencement of study at UQ, the applicant and principal advisor are required to complete the domestic research higher degree application and a School recommendation form to be signed and forwarded to the Graduate school by all relevant parties.