University of Queensland

How to apply

At UQ, we have made applying for a research higher degree (RHD) as simple as possible. You can apply and commence an RHD any day of the year, simply by following these three steps.

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Step 1

Find a potential advisor

Identify your research interests

As an aspiring RHD student it is likely you already have a particular area of research interest. UQ is home to over 1500 research experts and a growing community of internationally renowned scholars and scientists.

Search for potential advisors

You can define your research interest and search for potential advisors for your research higher degree through these databases:

• UQ reSEARCHers
• UQ Experts

You can also contact individual Schools and Institutes and discuss your research interests with them.
Read about some of our outstanding RHD advisors.

Step 2

Submit an Expression of Interest 

Once you have identified your research interests, and possibly found a selection of potential advisors, you need to complete an Expression of Interest form*.  The School/Institute uses the information provided to make an assessment of your qualifications to undertake a research higher degree and its capacity to provide you with an advisory team, research facilities, project funds and general infrastructure and support services. On the basis of this Expression of Interest you may be invited to submit an Application for Admission & Scholarship form.
If you have not found any advisors, you can still submit this Expression of Interest form to your School or Institute and they will match your research interests to an advisor.
*RHD applicants to Schools and Centres in the Faculty of Health Sciences do NOT need to complete this Expression of Interest form. Instead, please contact the Postgraduate Administrator at the following Schools (links to the Faculty of Health Sciences):

• School of Dentistry
• School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
• School of Human Movement Studies
• School of Medicine
• School of Nursing and Midwifery
• School of Pharmacy
• School of Population Health

Step 3

Apply for Admission & Scholarship

Finalise your research proposal

If your ‘Expression of Interest’ is successful, you will be invited by the School/Institute to complete a full application. The full application includes the research proposal, which details all the necessary components for a successful RHD candidature, including:

• The significance of the research question is appropriate to the degree
• The research methodology is academically strong
• The expected outcomes are described
• The research can be completed within 2 years for an MPhil or 4 years for a PhD
• The right academic experts are available
• There is adequate funding and facilities

Complete your application

Once you have developed your research proposal, complete an Application for Admission and Scholarship form and submit it to your School/Institute. This form also requires you to provide supporting documentation including referee reports and an academic CV.

Apply for scholarships

UQ provides a range of competitive, merit-based scholarships for RHD students. To apply, please indicate in section 5 of the Application for Admission and Scholarship form that you wish to be considered for the next scholarship round of these scholarships.