Application checklist - MPhil and PhD

Please ensure that you meet all the admissions requirements for the program you are applying for.

Please note MSD does not require you to have a supervisor before applying for a research program.

• Completion of a Bachelor (Hons) and/or Master degree
• Evidence of research experience
• Include certified copies of academic results and proof of graduation
• Publications / journals
• English language requirements
• Research proposal
• References
• Curriculum Vitae
• Application dates
• Apply now
• Contact us

Completion of a Bachelor (Hons) and/or Master degree

The minimum entry requirements for the PhD and MPhil are an Australian four-year Bachelor (Hons) degree and/or a Master degree, or its equivalent in a relevant discipline. The minimum overall average grade needs to be comparable to an H2A (75%) grade achieved at the University of Melbourne.

These degrees must be completed in order for your application to be assessed.

Evidence of research experience

 Applicants are required to have conducted a research project equivalent to 25% of a year’s full-time study at fourth year honours or Master level. Applicants must clearly show when the 25% research project was completed. If this is not clear from the transcript a letter from the University/supervisor should be attached as evidence.

Include certified copies of academic results and proof of graduation

Include certified copies of your results with your application, together with a grading scale used by the University (faculty/department) where you completed your 4-year Bachelor (Hons) degree and/or Master degree.

The definition of a certified copy is a photocopy of the original document which has the signature and official stamp of one of the following people: barrister or solicitor, Police in Charge of Station, Pharmacist, Doctor, Dentist, Principal of School, Justice of Peace, Clerk of Court indicating that they have sighted the original document.

If there is no proof of graduation on your transcript you must include a certified copy of the graduation certificate with your application.

Publications / journals

Evidence of relevant publication in journals, or other publications if applicable, and/or creative works (e.g. folios, landscape/design projects etc.) as detailed on the Eligible Research Output Types: Creative Works table:

Creative works table

English language requirements

All applicants must satisfy the University's English Language Requirements. For the Melbourne School of Design these are:

*Required scores must be achieved from a single test report, even if you have sat for multiple TOEFL or IELTS tests, and must have been attempted in the last two years. More information

Research proposal

Applicants applying for a research degree must include a research proposal.

The proposal should be two to three pages (1,500-2,000 words) in length and address the following:

• The research question expressed briefly and in simple English (it can include technical terms)
• An explanation of the problem(s) to be explored, or hypotheses to be tested (aims and background)
• The significance of the research
• The sources of information to be used, including a preliminary bibliography
• A suggested work plan, including stages of research and timeline
• An indication of potential problems
• Personal experience in the proposed area of study and the reasons for wishing to undertake such study

Download more information on the research proposal

References

Applicants must provide academic references according to the following:

• If your last tertiary qualification was completed outside Australia you must provide two written academic referee reports
• If your last tertiary qualification was completed at an Australian university other than the University of Melbourne you must provide one written academic referee report
• If your most recent qualification was obtained from, or you are currently enrolled at, the University of Melbourne you do not need to submit any written academic references but must provide contact details of two referees.

All academic references must be completed using the Academic Referee Report Form:

Academic referee report form

Curriculum Vitae

Applicants are required to provide a curriculum vitae (résumé) in the approved format. Your professional experience must demonstrate that your knowledge of the discipline in which you plan to undertake your Research Higher Degree is current.

Application dates

The Melbourne School of Design research selection committee appraises all applications for the MPhil and PhD programs. The selection committee will go through your application and proposal as well as any other relevant information and judge whether you meet all the necessary requirements before you begin your research program. The committee may also make suggestions for a supervisor if you haven’t already established a relationship with one.

Research Higher Degree students may wish to begin their research at any time but you must apply in one of the following application rounds:

Apply now

Domestic applicants must apply directly to the University by delivering by mail or in person a complete RHD application form and all supporting documentation to the following address:

Graduate Research Degree Admissions
Information Centre, Richard Berry Bldg, Gate 3, Swanston Street
The University of Melbourne,
Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia

Domestic applicants are Australian citizens and permanent residents, New Zealand citizens, and holders of a permanent humanitarian visa.

International applicants may apply in one of two ways:

Apply through an authorised agent in your country

Directly to the University by posting a complete RHD application form and all supporting documentation to:

Graduate Research Degree Admissions
The John Smyth Building, Swanston Street
The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia

Contact us

If you need more information before submitting your application, we are here to help.

Melbourne School of Design
Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning
University of Melbourne
Victoria 3010 AUSTRALIA
Call: +61 3 9035 5044
Email: msd.info@unimelb.edu.au

International Admissions
The University of Melbourne
Victoria 3010 AUSTRALIA
Call: +61 3 8344 4505
Fax: +61 3 9347 9062

If you're a Bachelor of Environments student at the University of Melbourne, here's how you apply for your graduate program at the Melbourne School of Design.

• Application checklist
• Guaranteed pathways for domestic students
• Guaranteed pathways for international students
• Students without a guarantee (Architecture major only)
• I am not sure if I will receive a guarantee
• How your average is calculated
• How to apply
• Find out more

Application checklist

Application deadlines

• To start in Semester 2, 2013 (July start): apply by 14 June 2013
• To start in Semester 1, 2014 (February start): apply by 29 November 2013

Check if you meet a guarantee

• International students: organise your application assessment fee waiver by emailing ia-waiver@unimelb.edu.au quoting ‘Current student’ in the subject line and your full name, date of birth and student ID number in the email body
• Complete and submit the online application form by the application deadline
• If you are required to submit a portfolio, you will be notified by email following the application deadline
• International students: successful applicants should check with International Student Services if you have questions related to your visa. See http://services.unimelb.edu.au/international/visas

Guaranteed pathways for domestic students

There are two guaranteed pathways into the Melbourne School of Design for local Bachelor of Environments graduates:

1. Melbourne School of Design guaranteed pathways 2011-2014

All Bachelor of Environments students who complete before or by the end of 2014 are eligible for this guarantee.

Architecture: Eligible Bachelor of Environments graduates who have completed a major in Architecture with at least a 75% average in the final two years of their degree will be guaranteed a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) in the two-year Master of Architecture. (Please note that for a guaranteed full-fee place, a 70% average is required.)

Property, Construction or Landscape Architecture: Bachelor of Environments graduates who have completed a major in Property, Construction or Landscape Architecture with at least a 65% average in the final two years of their degree will be guaranteed a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) in the corresponding two-year Master program

Urban Planning: Bachelor of Environments graduates who have completed any major with at least a 65% average in the final two years of their degree will be guaranteed a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) in the two-year Master of Urban Planning

Urban Design: There is no guaranteed pathway into the Master of Urban Design

2. Guaranteed pathways offered by the University

Eligible Bachelor of Environments graduates who have completed a major in either Architecture, Construction, Landscape Architecture, Property or Urban Planning and who have an ATAR of between 96.00-99.99 and at least a 65% average in their degree will be guaranteed a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) in the two-year corresponding Master program.

IMPORTANT: Even if you have a guaranteed place, you still need to submit an online application for your program by Friday, 14 June 2013. However, you will not need to submit any supporting documentation e.g. portfolio, personal statement.

Guaranteed pathways for international students

There are two guaranteed pathways into the Melbourne School of Design for International Bachelor of Environments graduates:

1. Melbourne School of Design guaranteed pathways 2011-2014

All international Bachelor of Environments students who complete before or by the end of 2014 are eligible for this guarantee.

Architecture: Eligible Bachelor of Environments graduates who have completed an Architecture major with at least a 70% average in the final two years of their degree will be guaranteed an international full-fee place.

Property, Construction or Landscape Architecture: Bachelor of Environments graduates who have completed a major in Property, Construction or Landscape Architecture with at least a 65% average in the final two years of their degree will be guaranteed an international full-fee place in the corresponding two-year Master program.

Urban Planning: International Bachelor of Environments graduates who have completed any major with at least a 65% average in the final two years of their degree will be guaranteed an international full-fee place in the two-year Master of Urban Planning.

Urban Design: There is no guaranteed pathway into the Master of Urban Design.

2. Guaranteed pathways offered by the University

Eligible Bachelor of Environments graduates who have completed a major in either Architecture, Construction, Landscape Architecture, Property or Urban Planning and who have an ATAR of between 96.00-99.99 and at least a 65% average in their degree will be guaranteed a International Fee Place in the two-year corresponding Master program.

Remember: Even if you have a guaranteed place, you still need to submit an online application for your program, Friday, 14 June 2013. However, you will not need to submit any supporting documentation e.g. portfolio, personal statement.

Students without a guarantee (Architecture major only)

Graduates who do not meet the guarantee but have a weighted average of at least 65% should still apply by Friday 14 June 2013 for assessment via competitive selection in accordance with the usual entry requirements:

• Weighted average
• Design portfolio
• Personal statement

There may be CSPs available to eligible students whose average is below 75%. However the cut-off cannot be predicted in advance as it depends on the number and quality of applications received.

I am not sure if I will receive a guarantee

You will need to apply online for your program of interest by Friday 14 June 2013.

Indicate on the online application form that you will submit a hardcopy version of your Design Portfolio and Personal Statement if applicable.

Architecture only: If you are not eligible for a guarantee but have achieved an average of 65% in the final two years of your degree, MSD Student Centre Staff will be in contact with you via email to invite you to submit a Design Portfolio and Personal Statement for competitive selection. You are likely to be contacted on or shortly after Friday 28 June 2013. Students who think they may not meet the guarantee are recommended to start preparing a folio and personal statement early.

How your average is calculated

For students who have completed a new generation degree, including the Bachelor of Environments, at the University of Melbourne, the final 2 years of full-time study as per the program structure will be used for the calculation.

For Bachelor of Environments students the six environments subjects are excluded as well as the lowest two 100-level breadth subjects.

How to apply

The application process for domestic and international students is different. Click on the revelant step-by-step guide to applying below:

Step-by-step guide to applying to MSD for domestic students

Step-by-step guide to applying to MSD for international students

Find out more

If you have any questions about the application process or need more information about any of the graduate programs in the Melbourne School of Design, please contact us:

Email us: msd-info@unimelb.edu.au
Call us: +61 (0)3 9035 5044