Applying to Adelaide University
Applications for research degrees at Adelaide University will open in February 2025.
Want to be the first to know? Submit an enquiry and we’ll notify you when applications open.
Preparing to apply
Not sure where to start? We’re here to help. Below, you’ll find a step-by-step guide on how to apply for a research degree at Adelaide University.
Academic entry requirements
Check that you meet the academic entry requirements for your chosen program:
English language proficiency requirements
English is the language of instruction at Adelaide University and all research students are required to be proficient in English comprehension and expression. For international research students from non-English speaking backgrounds, English language proficiency requirements also apply for all research degree types.
For more information about English language requirements for research degrees, visit the English language proficiency webpage.
Adelaide University offers a wide range of funding opportunities for both Australian and international research students.
Some scholarship rounds are highly competitive, and opportunities may be limited. It’s important that you review the eligibility criteria carefully before submitting a request for supervision or a formal application.
In addition to formal qualifications, relevant work and research experience may be considered as part of the scholarship evaluation process. Students who win a scholarship directly out of undergraduate studies have exceptional academic results, outstanding references and, commonly, high-quality international publications.
International students
If you’re an international applicant, you’ll be considered in one of our scholarship rounds dedicated to international research students. We receive hundreds of applications for a small number of scholarships, with the standard of applicants generally extremely high. Students who rank highly have typically completed a masters degree with a significant research component. Depending on the research area, some have also published several papers in quality international journals.
Australian students
If you’re an Australian applicant, you can apply at any time from February 2025. However, should you wish to apply for a scholarship, your application will not be considered until the domestic scholarship round opens. For more information, please visit the Research scholarships webpage.
Finding a supervisor
While your academic credentials will determine your eligibility for a research degree, your likelihood of receiving an offer from Adelaide University will largely be determined by:
the alignment of your interests or your own project idea with the research interests and experience of potential supervisors; and
the capacity of supervisors to accept you as a research student.
Before applying for admission and/or scholarship, you will need written confirmation of supervisory support from an eligible principal supervisor.
If you have a preexisting relationship with a supervisor (for example, if they previously supervised your Honours or postgraduate research), you can contact them directly for written confirmation of support before you start your application.
Finding a research project
You can browse the range of Adelaide University research projects currently available for commencement in 2026.
Once you’ve found a project that interests you, please contact the relevant supervisor to let them know. The supervisor will likely ask you to send relevant documentation, such as a CV, your transcripts, your English test results (if applicable) to determine if you are a suitable match.
If you can’t find a research project, or have your own idea for a project you’d like to pursue, you can browse potential supervisors from the relevant field and then let us help you identify and confirm supervisors.
Applications will open in February 2025. In the meantime, you can start to prepare some of the necessary documentation for your application.
Prepare and attach your structured Curriculum Vitae (CV)
To optimise the processing of your application, you must provide a Curriculum Vitae using Adelaide University’s structured CV template. Including a structured CV is also essential if you want to be considered for any of our scholarship opportunities.
International applicants only
Australia has enacted the Autonomous Sanctions Act 2011 and also complies with United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions. Sanctions restrict activities that relate to particular countries, goods and services, persons or entities. Adelaide University is required to abide by these sanctions as they apply to countries where there is prohibition on providing a ‘sanctioned service’. This involves specific types of training or dealing with a ‘designated person or entity’.
To see a list of countries and understand how this may affect you, visit the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) website.
If you’re a citizen of one of the countries affected, Adelaide University will be required to complete a detailed assessment of your proposed research project against the current sanction regimes. The nature of the project will be examined, as well as the goods and equipment you will use in your research. Some assessments will be referred to DFAT for further consideration, so it’s important that you allow sufficient time for the processing of your application and/or scholarship. Please note if there are any changes to your program, thesis or research topic a new assessment will be required.
More information on accepting an offer will be available in February 2025. Submit an enquiry and we’ll let you know when applications open.