Before applying for a graduate research degree at Charles Sturt, follow these steps.
The initial application process requires you to provide some details on your proposed research. Review the literature in your chosen field and make some notes for your proposed research. Include:
You can use the Initial Research Outline template to help you with this. This document provides a starting place for an initial conversation about how your project might best fit with current gaps in the research and will be shared with potential supervisors as part of the application process.
You can also check the relevant Faculty to see current areas of research:
This may also give you new ideas about a possible topic or ways to focus your thinking. It may also help identify the researchers who might be a good fit to supervise your research.
Next it is time to identify potential supervisors for your research. Use our 'Find a supervisor' tool to help find University staff researching in your area.
You'll need a minimum of two Charles Sturt academics to supervise; one as Principal Supervisor and at least one Co-supervisor.
If you are not sure who would be suitable, discuss your proposed topic and research interest with the Sub-Dean Graduate Studies. Please submit an Expression of Interest for prospective Research Higher Degree candidates. Your request will be reviewed by the Sub-Dean Graduate Studies for the relevant Faculty.
Depending on your previous study and qualifications, as well as the scope of your proposed research, you may be eligible for Masters or Doctoral level study. Review these higher degree by research degrees at our course search page. You are welcome to discuss which degree you should do (i.e., Masters or Doctoral level) with your prospective supervisor or Sub-Dean.
Before formally applying for the course, you will need to complete an Expression of Interest (EOI) if you have not already done so above. This EOI will be assessed before an invitation to formally apply for admission is issued.
IMPORTANT: 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.
Applications for Australian Government Research Training Program (AGRTP) or project-related scholarships are part of the applications process.
Charles Sturt accepts enrolment applications all year round, but some AGRTP scholarships have specific application periods. Therefore, you may receive the outcome of your application for admission before you are advised of the outcome of your scholarship application.
If unsuccessful in obtaining an AGRTP scholarship, domestic students 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 for 3.5 years (PhD) or 1.5 years (MPhil) only. Fees apply after this period. Unsuccessful AGRTP applicants may re-apply for an AGRTP scholarship in any round while enrolled.
You can also pursue studies as a full fee-paying candidate. Other domestic candidates (Professional Doctorates) may be able to defer payment of fees through the FEE-HELP program. You can find out the cost of tuition as a full-fee paying student by visiting the fees and costs section of the relevant online course brochure for your research degree. If you have further questions about tuition fees and loans, please contact feehelp@csu.edu.au.
Applications for admission to a higher degree by research at Charles Sturt can be lodged at any time during the year.
Applicants should refer to the below checklists, which detail the required documentation.
It is important that you submit all required documents at the time of application to avoid delays.
