Before you apply to study with us, there are a few things you should consider.
The first step is to identify the topic that you might like to pursue.
As part of the initial application process, you will need to provide some details on your proposed research ideas. You will need to look at the literature in your chosen field and start to write some initial ideas for your proposed area of research. This includes:
This will give us a starting place for an initial conversation about how your project might best fit with current gaps in the research, as well as areas of staff expertise here at Charles Sturt University to help determine who might be possible supervisors.
You should aim to have a brief document (1-2 pages) that can be shared with potential supervisors as part of the application process. We recommend you use the Initial Research Outline template to help you with this.
Once you have identified your research passion and considered your eligibility for the Higher Degree by Research program, it is time to identify potential supervisors for your research.
Check the relevant faculty to see the researchers who might be a good fit to supervise your research:
This may also give you more ideas about your possible topic and/or ways to narrow things down a bit. At the admissions stage, we require a minimum of two staff members to supervise; one to be the Principal Supervisor and at least one to be a Co-Supervisor.
If you wish to discuss your proposed topic and research interest, please submit an Expression of Interest for prospective Research Higher Degree candidates.
The Sub-Dean Graduate Studies for the relevant Faculty will review your application and respond to you with relevant information about your research as well as the admission process.
You are welcome to discuss this with your prospective supervisor or Sub-Dean which course to apply for.
Before formally applying for the course, we invite you to complete an Expression of Interest.
This expression of interest will be assessed ahead of an invitation to formally apply for admission.
If a scholarship you wish to apply for has a closing date within the next 10 working days we recommend you apply directly for admission and the relevant scholarship, and do not complete this form.
When you apply for admission to your Charles Sturt research course, you will be given the option to apply for AGRTP or project related scholarships.
In most cases, you will be notified of the outcome of your AGRTP application for these scholarships within two months of the application round closing date. Application round dates are advertised on the individual scholarship pages.
You may receive the outcome of your application for admission before you are advised of the outcome of your scholarship application.
If you are not successful in an AGRTP scholarship round, you can still pursue studies as a full fee-paying candidate or you may be eligible for a Research Fee Offset Scholarship, which covers tuition fees for eligible Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Master of Philosophy (MPhil) candidates. Research Fee Offset Scholarships will be offered for 3.5 years (PhD) or 1.5 years (MPhil) only, and once the candidate exceeds this length of candidature, fees will commence.
Other domestic candidates (Professional Doctorates) may be able to defer payment of fees through the FEE-HELP program. If you have further questions about your eligibility for tuition fee loans, please contact feehelp@csu.edu.au. Regarding the cost of tuition as a full-fee paying student you can visit the fees and costs section of the online course brochure for your PhD.
The next step is to apply for admission. Applications for admission to a higher degree by research can be lodged at any time during the year.
Applicants should refer to the below checklists, which detail the required documentation.
NB. Submitting the required documents at the time of submission will assist to expedite the process.
