Apply for a research degree

Applying to Adelaide University

Applications for research degrees at Adelaide University are now open. Follow our step-by-step instructions below to prepare your application.

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.

Step 1 – Check your eligibility

Academic entry requirements

Check that you meet the academic entry requirements for your chosen program:

If you do not meet the entry requirements to qualify for one of our research degrees, you may like to consider an alternative pathway via our research-focused Graduate Certificates:

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.

Step 2 – Review scholarship eligibility criteria

Adelaide University offers a wide range of funding opportunities for both Australian and international graduate 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, you will need to submit an application when the domestic scholarship round opens in August. For more information, please visit the Research scholarships webpage.

Step 3 – Find a supervisor or project

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, and 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.

Step 4 – Apply online

Please make sure you have the following documentation ready when submitting your application:

Official academic transcripts and parchments including grading scheme
Evidence of meeting the English language requirements (where relevant)
Confirmation from your proposed supervisor for your area of research
Your Curriculum Vitae using Adelaide University’s structured CV template
Your Research Proposal using the Adelaide University Research Proposal template
Any other documentation you feel is relevant to your application, e.g. name change documents, references
Any applicable supporting forms relevant to your individual circumstances, e.g. application for remote candidature, application for credit, or Education Agent nomination form.

You can save your application at any time during the application process, but remember to submit your application once you have completed the steps and uploaded all the required documents. We are unable to assess applications that are incomplete. Any missing documentation will impact our ability to assess your application for admission and/or scholarship.

Please note that we may require you to provide certified documents at any time during the application process or candidature.

Domestic applicants

Apply now

International applicants

Apply now

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.

Step 5 – Accept your offer and enrol

Receiving the outcome of your application

If you have applied in a scholarship round, please refer to the application round dates for details on when outcomes will be released
If you have applied outside of a scholarship round, applications may take some time to review and process. The Adelaide University Graduate Research School will notify you by email as soon as the outcome of your application is finalised.

Accepting your offer

Complete and return the Admission Offer Acceptance form contained within your offer letter to research.offers@adelaideuni.edu.au along with any conditions and any additional documentation as requested.
Complete and return the Scholarship Offer Acceptance (if applicable) to research.scholarships@adelaideuni.edu.au
Once all documentation has been returned, reviewed and checked, we will finalise your acceptance.
International students – a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) will be issued for the purpose of applying for your student visa.
Domestic students – the enrolment process will commence.

Enrolment

You will be sent an email to commence the enrolment process once we receive all required information and documentation. Please follow the instructions outlined in the email to commence the enrolment process. You will receive an email once your enrolment has been finalised.

Next steps – international students

Apply for a student visa

You can apply for your student visa through the Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs website.
If you are represented by an Education Agent, they will lodge your student visa application on your behalf.

For students not represented by an Education Agent

Adelaide University can't assist with student visa applications, or any other type of visa applications. Visas are issued by the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs. Please seek advice directly from the Department of Home Affairs website. 