phd application university of melbourne

• School of Chemistry
• Study with us
• Graduate research

Graduate research at the School of Chemistry

Learn under the guidance of world-leading staff to pursue a career in research or academia in your area of interest.

Why research with us?

The School of Chemistry has 27 continuing teaching and research staff and over 50 research-only staff, supported by technical and administrative personnel. The School hosts in excess of 150 higher degree research students, an excellent international reputation in research and an outstanding record of achievement in attracting external research funding.

Our Graduate Research degrees

Doctor of philosophy (science).

A PhD is an essential qualification for a research career in chemistry. Many of our graduates go on to work as postdoctoral research scientists and careers in research and teaching in academia, or move into industry where their technical and professional skills are highly valued.

Master of Philosophy (Science)

Join one of our world-renowned research groups, work with state-of-the-art equipment, and soak up all the professional development opportunities and international connections that come with studying at Australia's leading university.

Master of Industrial Research (Chemistry)

If you’re keen to work in industry-based chemistry research, perhaps designing new-generation materials or bringing new pharmaceuticals to market, then start with a graduate course where you spend most of your time working in industry – and getting paid to do it.

Getting started in graduate research

Once you know the Graduate Research degree you want to pursue, you need to find a researcher, group or project to work with while pursuing your degree. There are two great ways to find your passion and a supervisor or group to help you reach it:

Option 1: Explore our research groups

There is a wide range of research being performed across our School – explore the Our research page to learn more about the projects and supervisors you could join. Send a prospective supervisor a message on their Find an Expert profile and explain what you'd like to do.

Explore our research

Option 2: Find a graduate research project

The University's Graduate Research Opportunity Tool is a directory of PhD and Masters by Research projects – search by course, field of research or location to find a research project that you're excited to join. Send a prospective supervisor a message on their Find an Expert profile and explain what you'd like to do.

Explore research opportunities

What do I say to a prospective supervisor?

You need the written support of a supervisor before submitting an application to the University. Once you've found a prospective supervisor, contact them with the following documents and information:

• Your curriculum vitae (CV)
• All higher education transcripts
• A brief summary of your intended area of research.

They will consider your past academic performance and whether there is an available project that fits with your  background and area of interest.

Scholarships and fees

Most domestic and international students who are offered a PhD place with us will also be offered a Graduate Research Scholarship . Receiving this scholarship means you’ll pay no tuition fees. You’ll also receive a living allowance and relocation grant (if relocating to Melbourne). When you apply for a PhD with us, you’ll be automatically considered for a Graduate Research Scholarship. There’s no need to apply separately.

A huge variety of other scholarships are also available. Search our scholarships to find the ones you’re eligible for.

Need advice or help getting started?

We welcome general inquiries from graduates interested in undertaking postgraduate study – either call us on +61 3 9035 6459 or  email the Graduate Research support team .

Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences

Mental Health PhD Program

A multidisciplinary PhD Program in Mental Health

This Program brings together graduate researchers addressing mental health from diverse disciplinary perspectives - psychiatry, psychology, epidemiology and community mental health, history and philosophy of psychiatry, general practice, paediatrics, psychiatric nursing and social work, among others. Launched in March 2018, the Program is a joint initiative of the University of Melbourne's School of Psychological Sciences, Centre for Mental Health and the Department of Psychiatry. These were joined in 2020 by the Centre for Youth Mental Health and the Florey Institute of Neuroscience & Mental Health.

Our goal is to provide all University of Melbourne PhD students researching mental health with a platform to connect, share and discover new disciplines so that they can become fully-rounded researchers who can approach the field of mental health from a multi-disciplinary perspective.

Host departments

The  Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences is one of the most highly regarded schools of psychology in Australia. The School attracts some of the best students nationally and internationally to its broad range of APAC-accredited undergraduate, graduate, professional and research programs. The School's teaching is underpinned by excellence in research across a range of fields, including cognitive and behavioural neuroscience, quantitative psychology, social psychology, developmental psychology and clinical science.

The  Centre for Mental Health is part of the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health and aims to improve mental health and mitigate the impact of mental illness at a population level. It does this through high-quality, collaborative, interdisciplinary research, academic teaching, professional and community education, and mental health system development. The Centre contributes to evidence-informed mental health policy and practice in Australia and internationally through the work of its three units:

• Global and Cultural Mental Health
• Mental Health Policy and Practice
• Population Mental Health.

The Centre's three units are involved in active and productive collaborations within the University and beyond. These relationships range from not-for-profit agencies like Mind Australia through to international NGOs such as the World Health Organization, and enables the translation of their research into policy and practice.

The   Department of Psychiatry is committed to the prevention of mental illness and improved quality of life for individuals affected by mental illness, both nationally and internationally. The Department has unique strengths around biological and translational psychiatry research which are internationally recognised. Together with clinical collaborations and involvement in mental health policy and practice, this provides a stimulating environment for learning and research training programs. Their research is driven by pure and applied questions that require cross-disciplinary approaches and partnerships with diverse community organisations - especially those effected with mental illness. The research informs our teaching and clinical training and engagement with the wider community.

The Centre for Youth Mental Health brings together the experience and expertise of world leaders in the field of youth mental health and has become an internationally renowned research centre in this field. The Centre focuses on understanding the biological, psychological and social factors that influence onset, remission and relapse of mental illnesses in young people. Its research findings are actively translated into improved policy, practice and training that inform the development of better interventions, treatments and service systems for young people at different stages of mental ill-health. The multidisciplinary nature of its research provides a diverse and stimulating environment for students. The local and international collaborations with other universities and research institutes link it with a broader research community, with unique global perspectives and the opportunity for an exciting exchange of ideas.

The Florey Institute of Neuroscience & Mental Health (The Florey) is the largest brain research group in the southern hemisphere and one of the world’s top brain research centres. It is an independent medical research institute with strong connections to other research groups, globally. Our scientists are found at three research facilities, one on the grounds of the University of Melbourne in Parkville, one in the adjacent Royal Melbourne Hospital and the other at Austin Health in Heidelberg.

Program activities

Mental health is a multidisciplinary, complex and rapidly growing research domain. Your years as a graduate researcher at the University of Melbourne are the perfect time for you to broaden your skill set, build your network and expand your understanding of this dynamic field. At the moment we have over 70 graduate researchers in our community who come from over a dozen different Centres and Schools within the University and we would love for you to join us!

Our online platform

In order for you to get to know others and learn from the MHPP community's wide variety of disciplines and expertise, we have an online platform with different channels offering a host of opportunities:

• PhD Progress and Professional Development Channel: Ask any questions  you might have about all aspects of your PhD, get peer support and develop your research skills by making the most of professional development opportunities such as online workshops and skills training.
• MHPP Events Channel: Find information here about the events organised by the Program , including social get-togethers, webinars and workshops.
• Members and Alumni Channel: Connect with your fellow PhD students across the many different institutes and schools represented in the Program, learn from alumni and build your research network.
• Items of Interest Channel: Be kept up to date about University of Melbourne events related to mental health and get invited to attend colloquium talks  by local and visiting experts across the different academic host units, offering unparalleled access to cutting-edge research in mental health.

And more…

In addition, you can also use the MHPP as a unique opportunity to expand your CV by working on your transferable skills and help run an event or become a Mental Health PhD Program Event Coordinator ( not mandatory ).

Program structure

Mhpp co-directors team.

“This PhD Program provides currently enrolled University of Melbourne PhD students working within the domain of mental health with the opportunity to become accomplished graduate researchers who are not only prepared to engage with their own discipline, but are equipped with the capacity to place their work in a broader multidisciplinary context within mental health.”

Centre for Mental Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health

“A PhD position is a big commitment and this program creates a platform to support a true cohort experience and provide a network of support, aimed to help PhD candidates working within the mental health domain through their doctorate and beyond.”

Department of Psychiatry, Melbourne Medical School

“Undertaking a PhD can be one of the most rewarding experiences in your life, yet sometimes, as one buries deeper into their topic, there is risk of feeling quite isolated and disconnected. The Mental Health PhD Program provides a wonderful opportunity to share the journey, connect with others with similar interests, and gain exposure to the broader mental health research landscape.”

Centre for Youth Mental Health

“The Mental Health PhD Program is a vibrant community of post-graduate students who share a common passion and interest in creating new knowledge in the field of mental health, but who come at this through different disciplines, lenses and research methodologies. This program provides a wonderful and unique opportunity for exposure to different ways of thinking about similar problems in a supportive, collaborative and engaging way.”

Florey Institute of Neuroscience & Mental Health

“To transform our understandings into mental health and metal ill-health, we really need multifaceted complimentary approaches that span preclinical tools to clinical approaches and services. This PhD Program provides a unique opportunity for students to be exposed to this breadth of multidisciplinary research that is available within Parkville and the University of Melbourne, and to share their PhD journey with a diverse cohort that will get them thinking about all the levels at which we need to tackle research in the mental health field.”

MHPP Operations Manager

The Mental Health PhD Program now has a wonderful Operations Manager: Brendan Pearl (Department of Psychiatry). Brendan is involved in the organisation, coordination and promotion of many of our great events.

MHPP Event Coordinators

The Mental Health PhD Program has a new online platform with a team of Event Coordinators. This is a team of current MHPP PhD students who help organise events and provide a true cohort experience.  The invaluable contributions of these wonderful MHPP members is what makes the Program truly great!

It is also a great way for members to work on their transferable skills, expand their CVs and create a vast multidisciplinary network with the University of Melbourne. If you would like to join the MHPP and are perhaps interested in taking on the role of Event Coordinator for some time during your PhD journey then please visit the application tab here . We would love to hear from you!

Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health

Centre for Mental Health

Department of General Practice

Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry

Department of Psychiatry

Please find below testimonials from some of our current graduate researchers about their experience of the Mental Health PhD Program.

If you are a mental health graduate researcher, this program is a fundamental building block to understanding how dynamic, complex, inspirational, positive and exciting the field of mental health can be.

Tam Dennis - Graduate Researcher at the Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences

I am very fortunate to be a part of this amazing community and highly recommend it for any PhD student in the area of mental health!

Kavisha Fernando - Graduate Researcher at the Department of Psychiatry

The Mental Health PhD Program (MHPP) is a wonderful program which promotes learning and professional development during your PhD journey.

Carra Simpson - Graduate Researcher at the Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences

What I like about the MHPP is that it provides a platform which is graduate-researcher driven and truly multidisciplinary; it provides opportunities for developing skills which we identify as useful and are above and beyond the scope of our individual departments.

Brendan Pearl - Graduate Researcher at the Department of Psychiatry

I recommend all students with a project related to mental health join the program, get involved and reap the benefits!

Hannah Savage -Graduate Researcher at the Department of Psychiatry

I highly recommend this program to any PhD students in the field of mental health research.

Phoebe Thomson - Graduate Researcher at the Department of Paediatrics

The Mental Health PhD Program creates an inspiring and supportive community of researchers who are united by a common passion for improving mental health and well-being.

Annai Charlton - Graduate Researcher at The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health

The Mental Health PhD Program provides me with lots of different opportunities; networking, career development and the opportunity to ask experts from interdisciplinary fields for advice.

"The MHPP has helped me develop skills that I otherwise wouldn’t have developed, such as being able to communicate about research to people who work in related fields but use very different research techniques (animal work or qualitative research). It’s also a very social program, and I’ve met a lot of other very friendly PhD students. Being an off-campus PhD student, I sometimes felt a bit disconnected from the university, but this program has helped alleviate this feeling. The new online Teams platform is great, I get to check it whenever I want and there are optional events to join. I’ve found lots of them very useful and I ended spending about 1.5 hours a fortnight engaged with the program (5 minutes a day reading updates and chatting to other students and 1 hour attending an event such as an expert discussion, watching an interview or a coffee moment). I’m hoping to meet you soon and feel free to contact me if you have any questions!"

Yara Toenders - Graduate Researcher at the Centre for Youth Mental Health

Being a part of the MHPP community has been one of the best parts of my PhD.

Anna Ross, Graduate Researcher at the Centre for Mental Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health

How to apply?

The Mental Health PhD Program is offered by the University's School of Psychological Sciences, the Centre for Mental Health, the Department of Psychiatry, the Centre for Youth Mental Health and the Florey Institute of Neuroscience & Mental Health.

Graduate researchers at any stage of their PhD candidature and in any Department, Centre or School at the University of Melbourne are eligible to participate.

The Mental Health PhD Program is intended to be a supplement to the training graduate researchers receive in their home department. Program participants will remain enrolled in their current faculties and departments.

Eligibility

To be eligible, graduate researchers must be currently enrolled in a PhD, have their primary supervisor based at the University of Melbourne and be undertaking doctoral research on a topic related to mental health.

Prospective graduate researchers

If you are not currently enrolled, you will need to apply separately for entry to a PhD in a relevant field. This will generally involve finding an appropriate supervisor in a suitable academic Department, School or Faculty. Once you have commenced your mental health-related PhD course, you can then register to join the Mental Health PhD Program.

Check that you meet the University's eligibility and entry requirements to undertake a PhD, and find instructions on how to apply on MDHS' Graduate Research pages . You can also read more general information about the MDHS PhD course .

Applications

The application procedure is currently closed. Due to unforeseen technical issues, the opening for 2021 applications has unfortunately been delayed until February 8, 2020. Our apologies for any inconvenience.

Applications to join the Program can be submitted throughout the year and graduate researchers can join the Program at any time during their candidature.

If you meet the eligibility criteria and you are interested in meeting your peers from throughout the University of Melbourne and creating a more multidisciplinary understanding of mental health research then please apply below. We look forward to welcoming you to our community!

Apply for the Program

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us .

Frequently Asked Questions

What will i get out of the program.

It has never been more important for PhD students to be strategic about career moves, build broad networks and master the right skills to get into their career of choice. The Mental Health PhD Program offers you a platform to:

• Increase your understanding of the multidisciplinary field of mental health
• Save you time finding support and learning about events and resources at the University of Melbourne
• Engage in professional development opportunities specific to the domain of mental health
• Expand your CV
• Present your work, to practice your conference talks or poster presentations
• Get access to extra professional development opportunities workshops, lectures and events that are organised within the University of Melbourne PhD Program Network and only advertised to PhD students who are enrolled in one of the University of Melbourne PhD Programs
• Socialise, share, reflect and learn with and from your peers.

What will the time investment be?

We understand that as a PhD student you have a busy schedule and often competing demands, so we have created an online platform that you can access when and where you like. As a member of the MHPP, we kindly ask you to meet the following time commitment of around three hours per month:

• A weekly active contribution to the online platform. This can be done by posting a question, sharing a tip with your peers, replying to a question posted by another member, liking a post, etc (5-10 minutes per week).
• Join our bi-weekly online events. We really encourage you to attend these live online events so you can ask any questions or join the discussion and share your expertise. That way we really can learn with and from each other. However, we understand you might not always be able to make it so we record most of our events so you can access them at a later point (one hour fortnightly).
• Read any emails you get from the MHPP carefully and reply promptly when needed.

Do I need formal approval from my supervisor to be part of the Mental Health PhD Program?

As of 2020, the Mental Health PhD Program has a new model and formal proof of approval from your Primary Supervisor is no longer required. However, we strongly encourage you to discuss your enrolment into this specific program, as well as your professional development in general, with your supervisor before signing up.

Does the Mental Health PhD Program offer PhD positions?

This multidisciplinary PhD Program is an academic and professional development initiative for currently-enrolled PhD students who are researching a topic within Mental Health. Therefore, this program does not directly enrol students.

Eligible students will need to apply separately for entry to a PhD in a relevant field. This will typically involve finding an appropriate supervisor in a suitable academic Department, School or Faculty. Once students have commenced their mental health-related PhD course, they can register to join the Mental Health PhD Program, which is intended to be a supplement to the training that students receive in their home department.

How can I unsubscribe?

If you need to terminate your enrolment you can do so by unsubscribing from the Mental Health PhD Program Newsletter.

Where can I go for further information?

Please email Anna Schroeder at [email protected] with any questions or feedback. I’d love to hear from you.

This interdisciplinary PhD Program provides participants with the opportunity to become accomplished graduate researchers who are not only prepared to engage with their own discipline, but are also equipped with the capacity to place their work in a broader multidisciplinary context within mental health, maximising their graduate career outcomes.

If you have any questions about the Program or our events, please contact the Program Coordinator Anna Schroeder at [email protected] .

Program Co-Directors

Professor Nick Haslam Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences

Professor Jane Pirkis Centre for Mental Health

Professor Chris Davey Department of Psychiatry

Associate Professor Kelly Allot Centre for Youth Mental Health

Professor Andrew Lawrence Florey Institute of Neuroscience & Mental Health

Operations Manager

Brendan Pearl Department of Psychiatry

• Scholarships

Graduate Research Scholarships

Scholarship

No application required. Check eligibility

Key scholarship details

Application status

Open for automatic consideration

Benefit amount

100% fee remission and up to $135,000

Eligible study level

Graduate research

Eligible student type

Domestic and international students

Eligible study stage

Future study, Current study

Benefit duration

One or more years

The Melbourne Research Scholarship and Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship are offered to high-achieving international and domestic students who are enrolling in a graduate research degree at the University of Melbourne.

Stipend and fee offset scholarships

• Full fee offset for up to two years for students undertaking a Masters by Research degree or up to four years for students undertaking a doctoral degree.
• Living allowance of $37,000 per year pro rata (2024 full-time study rate) for up to two years for students undertaking a Masters by Research degree or up to 3.5 years for students undertaking a doctoral degree. The living allowance may be indexed annually and includes limited paid sick, maternity and parenting leave.
• Relocation grant of $2000 for students moving from States or Territories other than Victoria or $3000 for students moving from outside Australia.
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) Single Membership for international students who require a student visa to study in Australia

Fee offset scholarships

For further information, see Manage my scholarship .

Eligibility and selection criteria

Eligibility.

To be considered for this scholarship, you must:

• have applied for and meet the requirements for a graduate research degree at the University of Melbourne, or
• be currently enrolled in a graduate research degree at the University of Melbourne

Selection criteria

All domestic students who are offered admission to a Masters by Research or doctoral degree (PhD) at the University of Melbourne will receive a Research Training Program Scholarship (Fee Offset).

Graduate Research Scholarships that provide a stipend as well as fee offset are awarded to domestic and international students based on academic merit. Eligible applicants are scored and ranked according to their academic achievement of their last completed degree and their research potential in their field of study. Factors such as completion of a degree at the same level of the research course for which the scholarship is sought, relevant professional experience, refereed publications, specialist medical qualifications or composition of original music may be taken into consideration.

These scholarships are subject to the Graduate Research Scholarships Terms & Conditions (as amended).

Study level:

Student type:

Study stage type:

Need help understanding the process?

Application, how to apply.

If you are a new student and have applied for a graduate research course by the application closing date for that course, you will be automatically considered for the Graduate Research Scholarships. You will receive a notification that a scholarship application has been added to your record within ten business days of having submitted your course application.

If you have accepted a graduate research course offer and deferred commencement in order to be reconsidered for a scholarship, you must submit an online application form by 31 October to be considered for a scholarship in the following year. You will receive a notification that a scholarship application has been added to your record within ten business days of having submitted the online form.

If you are currently enrolled in a graduate research course for which you seek a scholarship, you must submit an online application form by 31 October to be considered for a scholarship in the following year. You will receive a notification that a scholarship application has been added to your record within ten business days of having submitted the online form.

When will I know the outcome?

Domestic students will receive an offer for Research Training Program Scholarship (Fee Offset) as part of their course offer.

Offers for Graduate Research Scholarships that provide a stipend and fee offset are made separately but around the same time course offers are made.

Melbourne Research Scholarships (MRS)

This scholarship is available to high-achieving domestic and international students undertaking a Masters by Research degree or doctoral degree.

Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarships

This scholarship is supported by the Australian Commonwealth Government and offered by the University of Melbourne to high-achieving domestic and international students undertaking a Masters by Research degree or Doctorate by Research degree. See also the University's RTP Scholarship Policy .

China Scholarship Council - University of Melbourne PhD Scholarship

This scholarship is provided by the China Scholarship Council and the University of Melbourne to promote international collaboration and is offered to citizens of the People's Republic of China wishing to undertake a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree at the University of Melbourne.

The information listed here is subject to change without notice. Where we have listed information about jointly run scholarships programs, please also see our partners' websites. Information describing the number and value of scholarships awarded is indicative.

Looking for more study options?

Courses and career pathways.

Browse all undergraduate and graduate courses, study areas and career pathways on the Study website. Explore courses

Whatever your passion, you'll discover stimulating research opportunities at Australia's #1 ranked university. Research at Melbourne

International students

Find support, advice and what to expect living and studying as an international student at the University of Melbourne. Learn more

How can we help?

• Faculty of Arts
• School of Social and Political Sciences
• Current students

Graduate research

Future research students, information for prospective students regarding the doctor of philosophy – arts program..

The School of Social and Political Sciences is at the forefront of research in the social sciences in Australia. We have a team of dedicated academic staff who can offer supervision for research higher degrees in the disciplines of Anthropology, Development Studies, Political Science, Criminology and Sociology and across a comprehensive range of areas. The School provides a dynamic and rewarding environment with reading groups, seminars, conferences and graduate journals all contributing to the engagement of the program.

Doctor of Philosophy – Arts

Please note that the Graduate Research Program within the School is increasingly focused on enrolled, full-time PhD candidates who hold a scholarship, and due to the demand for PhD entry, no Master of Arts (Thesis only) applications have been accepted since 2017.

For information about how to apply and the application timeline, please refer to the Faculty of Arts Future Graduate Research page:

How to apply

You can search for scholarships offered by the University of Melbourne on the Scholarships website:

Melbourne Scholarships

Current research students

Information for currently enrolled graduate researchers in the doctor of philosophy – arts or master by research program regarding supervision panel membership and timelines, as well as symposia requirements, grants and fieldwork funding., orientation and induction.

The Faculty of Arts provides an orientation welcome session for new graduate researchers at the beginning of each year. After the orientation session, there will be a local induction to the School of Social and Political Sciences.

The School of Social and Political Sciences organises enrichment seminars and events for graduate researchers throughout the year. Past events have included publishing workshops, ethics process explainers, presentation skills practice sessions, and seminars hosted by visiting scholars and guest speakers. These events allow graduate researchers to gain new skills and make connections with their colleagues. Details of the enrichment seminars are circulated to graduate researchers via email.

The School’s largest event is the Graduate Research Symposium. This is an opportunity for graduate researchers to present their Confirmation and Completion seminars in front of their advisory committees and to a broader academic audience. Graduate researchers are invited by the Arts Graduate Research team to register for the Graduate Research Symposium prior to the event.

Information about relevant events hosted across the School, Faculty and University is provided to graduate researchers in a weekly newsletter.

The University of Melbourne Graduate Student Association (GSA)

The University of Melbourne  Graduate Student Association (GSA) is your voice on committees and a great provider of community and social activities for the thousands of graduate students at the University. GSA also provides the only independent advocates on campus specifically for graduate students, so if you run into any trouble in your degree, give GSA a call on +61 3 8344 8657 or drop by the Doug McDonell Building for advice. GSA manages a range of graduate-only study spaces, lockers, computer labs, meeting rooms and carrels in the Graduate Centre as well, available for all of the University's graduate students.

Postgraduate Representatives

The School of Social and Political Sciences has four discipline representatives, each representing the disciplines of the school.

• Anthropology and Development Studies
• Criminology
• Political Science

The discipline representatives provide a student perspective on graduate research matters within the School.

Information about School study spaces are available via the Faculty.

Study Spaces

The Arts Graduate Research page is the first point of contact for Faculty of Arts specific candidature requirements.

The University’s Graduate Research Hub provides information guides for graduate researchers, including the Confirmation process, submitting your thesis and examination.

Faculty of Arts Candidature Milestones and Requirements

The Faculty sets out a minimum requirement that you must satisfy at each milestone. Refer to the confirmation and progress reports page that details out the requirements for each milestone. Discuss with your Advisory Committee the content needed to satisfy the milestone requirements.

You will be required to provide all the necessary documentation (ie. reports, chapters, words of thesis, etc.) to your Advisory Committee at least 10 days prior to your review meetings. This will allow time for your Advisory Committee to review your progress and discuss it during the meeting.

Your Advisory Committee may require additional reports or chapters on top of the Faculty requirements, as different projects will have varying structures. Ensure that you discuss this with your Advisory Committee and agree to the expectations well in advance of each progress review.

Confirmation and Completion Seminars

As part of the Confirmation and Completion processes, graduate researchers are required to give a seminar about their research. Usually, these seminars take place at the School’s Graduate Research Symposium.

If you are unable to present at the Graduate Research Symposium, you can arrange to present your Confirmation or Completion seminar on an ad-hoc basis. You will need to consult with your advisory committee to find a suitable date and time. Once you have finalised those details, please submit a Confirmation/Completion booking form . The Arts Graduate Research team has a guide available for booking spaces and a separate form for advertising your seminar. You are responsible for booking your own seminar time and location.

Grants and funding are available from numerous sources on and off campus to help graduate researchers meet the costs associated with their research. The most common sources are listed below:

School Funding Scheme

The School Funding Scheme provides funding to graduate researchers within the School to enrich their research and candidature.

The funding covers:

• Travel funding: The School Funding Scheme is generally used to support applications for Faculty travel schemes that require a School contribution. The required School contribution will be outlined on the application page for these schemes
• Conference presentations: Graduate researchers can seek assistance with the cost of travel to either an international or national conference on the condition that they are presenting a paper related to their research topic. Applicants applying for funding for a conference must be able to clearly demonstrate that the workshop or seminar is significant for their field of research
• Photocopying or printing expenses
• Translation costs
• Equipment/consumables essential for fieldwork research
• Software and external hard drives
• Relevant training courses

Funding amounts

• Doctor of Philosophy – Arts candidates: $2,500 over the entire candidature.
• Masters by Research candidates: $1,250 over the entire candidature.
• Applicants must be enrolled in a Doctor of Philosophy – Arts or Masters by Research (Thesis only or Advanced Seminar and Master Thesis) in the School of Social and Political Sciences
• Doctor of Philosophy – Arts and Masters by Research (Thesis only or Advanced Seminar and Shorter Thesis) candidates must be confirmed prior to the release of Scholarship funds and the commencement of activity.
• Doctor of Philosophy – Arts applicants who have exceeded 3.5 years full time candidature (or equivalent part-time) and Masters by Research applicants who have exceeded 18 months of candidature must make a special case as to why the funding will specifically endorse timely completion. This aspect must be referred to in the supervisor’s endorsement
• Graduate researchers undertaking travel for research must first apply to Study Away via the Graduate Research Study Away web page

When to apply

There are no deadlines to apply for the School Funding scheme, and you can apply at any point during your candidature. Please note that you cannot apply for travel funding pre-Confirmation or on a final extension of candidature.

Please fill out the online application form.

Application Form

You will need to provide:

• Your student and course information
• The total amount of funding requested
• The purpose that funding is required
• A letter of support from your supervisor, confirming that the sum requested is justified; the value of the item, training or travel to your research project; and the dates and purpose of travel (if applicable)
• A budget outline, including receipts and quotes
• A declaration that you agree to the terms and conditions

The Faculty of Arts offers three main funding schemes:

Graduate Research in Arts Travel Scheme (GRATS) GRATS offers assistance with accommodation and/or travel costs of graduate researchers in the Faculty of Arts undertaking research and/or presenting at a conference

Faculty of Arts Graduate Research International Grant (AGRIG) AGRIG is intended to support graduate researchers who need to conduct substantial research overseas, but do not meet the methodological or lengthy immersive research requirements of the PhD Fieldwork Grant Scheme

PhD Fieldwork Grant Scheme The PhD Fieldwork Grant Scheme supports graduate researchers who are required to conduct extensive, field-based research

You can search for scholarships available for current graduate research students on the University of Melbourne Scholarships website.

What counts as reasonable for my travel costs?

• While you should be budget conscious, you do not need to choose the absolute cheapest option. You should aim for a balance between low cost and practicality, for example, a slightly more expensive air fare is acceptable if it will significantly reduce your travel time and/ or the departure/ arrival times are more reasonable

My candidature will not be confirmed when the application round closes, but will be when I travel. Can I still apply now or do I need to apply retrospectively?

• You can apply before you are confirmed (if you are within three months of confirmation) but you will only be eligible to receive the funding once you’re confirmed. In this situation, you would be offered the award conditional on successful confirmation

Can I take personal leave during my study away? And what will be funded?

• You can include short periods of personal leave (formal leave of absence) or recreational leave (informal leave built into your candidature) during your time away but you may need to insert a period of formal LOA between two separate periods of study away depending how long your personal leave is. [more specific detail needed]
• Only costs related to your research activity will be funded. For example, the transport costs to and from the location of your research activity will be funded but any detours or other travel would not be covered

Do I have any other funding options for travel?

Yes. Other travel funding is available through smaller schemes, usually with quite targeted criteria (i.e. demographic of applicant; discipline area; type of research activity; travel destination). It is worth checking the options at:

Faculty of Arts general

Faculty of Arts graduate research

The amount of funding I can request will only cover a small portion of my trip. What do I do?

You can apply to other schemes for funding to supplement any amount offered by a faculty scheme. Key points:

• the total amount that you are granted from various schemes should not exceed your expenses
• you will need to justify your income and expenditure as reasonable in your budget
• you should declare any grants from other schemes to awarding bodies
• you will need to fulfil all terms and conditions for each scheme that grants you funds

I have used all of my School Funding Scheme but my supervisor agrees this trip is essential to my research. Are there any funding options for me?

It is essential to plan out your proposed fieldwork and travel requirements with your supervisor early in candidature so that you have sufficient funds to support any applications to faculty funding schemes. If these resources have been exhausted and you still need to conduct essential travel, you may need to identify other funding sources such as the additional schemes at the links above.

What if my costs change between the estimates I supply and when I book them?

The sums awarded for GRATS, AGRIG and the PhD Fieldwork scheme are based on quotes or receipts, taking into account what may be considered reasonable costs. Additional sums are not awarded for any costs greater than those quoted.

Please keep in mind that travel funding is a contribution towards your travel costs and may not cover all your expenses.

What if my plans change during the trip?

It is not a significant issue if the changes are simply to your dates of travel but do not affect your departure and return date.

If the changes are to your destinations, you need to check for DFAT warnings and avoid if at all possible any affected countries or areas. You may no longer be covered by university insurance. You should also advise the university of any new destinations within your travel period so we can contact you in case of any emergencies.

If your return date changes, you should advise the faculty. If you plan to return later than originally approved in your study away application, you may need to submit a supplementary study away application to bridge the gap.

What if I don’t spend the amount granted?

The sums awarded for GRATS, AGRIG and the PhD Fieldwork scheme are based on quotes or receipts, taking into account what may be considered reasonable costs. You should be able to account for the sum granted to you on a broad level in your report to faculty, but you do not have to repay any funds exceeding your actual, final expenses.

What expenses will the School Funding Scheme pay for?

Aside from the expenses mentioned above, you may apply to the School Funding Scheme for minor sundry research related expenses such as (but not limited to):

• Graduate research business cards
• Data sticks, external hard drives
• Relevant training courses (eg in specific methods of analysis or using specific software/ programs)
• Essential books not available online, in the library, or via interloan
• High quality image files (eg of art works)

For any graduate research matters, please contact the Arts Graduate Research Team. You can visit in person at Room G07, Babel Building, email the team at [email protected] or call +61 3 8344 0013.

Astrophysics

The phd program (phd in physics), the doctorate program (phd physics):.

The approximately 3 and a half year PhD in Physics program is based purely on research. There are no required subjects. Key milestones in the program are: (1) Candidacy: There is a progress review at the end of your first year. This consists of a presentation, short report, and a Q&A session with the candidacy committee (composed of three to four faculty members). If you are on-track, you become a PhD candidate. (2) Annual reviews: There continue to be annual reviews of your progress and any issues that have arisen with your candidacy committee each year, (3) Thesis: At the end of your PhD program, you submit a thesis documenting your PhD research that is reviewed by an international panel of experts in your field.

Choosing a research project and supervisor:  Before submitting a PhD application, you must liaise with your planned supervisor about your planned PhD project. In most cases, this is your MSc supervisor, but there are exceptions if you are coming from a different institution or decide to change your research focus.  We have listed (very!) brief project ideas for each research area under the Research link. If you are interested in an area and would like to know more, please contact the faculty member directly.

If you are applying internationally, the first step in applying for the PhD program is to send your CV, transcripts, evidence of English proficiency (if required), and an indication of your research interests to [email protected] . They will suggest some potential supervisors. No one is admitted to the PhD program without a supervisor.

Funding: All of our PhD students receive a stipend sufficient to support them over the course of their PhD. This also comes with a tuition fee waiver. There can be supplementary scholarships and awards on top of this, and (with permission of their PhD supervisor), PhD students often supplement their income while developing their teaching abilities by acting as tutors in undergraduate or graduate subjects.

• Getting here
• Using Asteroseismology to Measure an Integrated Mass Loss for Evolved Stars in Globular Clusters Wednesday 14 Sep 2022 @ 12:00 p.m., Level 6 Geoff Opat([...]
• Understanding X-Ray Signatures of Outflows Through 3-D Simulations Wednesday 07 Sep 2022 @ 12:00 p.m., Level 6 Geoff Opat([...]
• Orbital structures of SAMI passive galaxies from orbit-superposition Schwarzschild models. Wednesday 31 Aug 2022 @ 12:00 p.m., Laby Theatre(+Zoom)[...]
• On Modelling Complex Systems in Astronomy Wednesday 17 Aug 2022 @ 12:00 p.m., Laby Theatre(+Zoom)[...]
• Hydroxyl as a Probe of the Interstellar Medium Wednesday 10 Aug 2022 @ 12:00 p.m., Zoom Dr Anita Petzl[...]
• How do galaxies regulate their own star formation? Wednesday 03 Aug 2022 @ 12:00 p.m., Laby Theatre(+Zoom)[...]
• Leaks and bursts Wednesday 27 Jul 2022 @ 12:00 p.m., Laby Theatre(+Zoom)[...]
• Research Overview
• Epoch of Reionisation
• Inflation and the Early Universe
• Galaxy Formation and Evolution
• Gravitational Lensing
• Dark Energy
• Extreme Objects
• Gravitational Waves
• Dark Sky Studies
• News and Events
• Ask an Astrophysicist
• Introduction to Life, Earth, and Universe

School of Mathematics and Statistics

• PhD scholarship opportunities

All PhD applicants with a research supervisor are automatically considered for a Melbourne Research Scholarship and a Research Training Program Scholarship .

Additional opportunities can be found at the University Scholarships page and below. Please contact the supervisor listed on the project to register your interest.

• John Sader elected Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science
• Jobs at the School of Mathematics and Statistics
• 3 tips for Science undergraduates joining the workforce
• Melbourne technology boosts effort to map every cell in human body
• Exceptional Talent Scholarship
• Professor David Balding featured in The Age
• Heroines of mathematics
• Matilda to the Rescue
• Weighing Up Evidence in Criminal Courts and at a King's Burial Site
• Professor Anthony Guttmann honoured with Order of Australia
• COVID-19 modelling released from Doherty Institute
• ARC Future Fellowships announced for Maths & Stats
• Open Day at Maths and Stats
• Watch the Course Information Session
• Women in Geometry, Analysis and Topology
• New mathematics leads to innovative solutions
• Forecasting landslides from space
• Mathematician and role model elected Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science
• Using mathematical modelling to fight malaria
• Professor Michael Stumpf awarded prestigious ARC Australian Laureate Fellowship
• OPTIMA ARC Training Centre aims to transform industry through optimisation
• Academics join 2022 Superstars of STEM cohort
• Applications open for undergraduate and postgraduate awards
• Software developed by School of Mathematics and Statistics researcher shortlisted in prestigious Eureka Prizes
• New video series spotlights mathematical biology
• Science academics rank as world-leaders for research citations
• University confers Honorary Doctorate on mathematician
• Translating big data into better health thanks to major grant
• Problem-solving on a global stage: Students excel in international maths competition
• Avoidance, confusion, solitude: whales react to rising noise pollution
• Mathematicians moved by dance, karate and building a better world
• Study with us
• Supervision
• Expectations and obligations
• Useful links
• School policy on research student supervision
• Graduate Research Student Travel
• Third-year opportunities in Mathematics and Statistics
• Graduate profiles
• Careers talks
• External resources
• List of Possible Supervisors
• Student-Staff Liaison Committee
• Resources for students
• Resources for academics
• Scholarly activities
• Course advice
• Mathematical Ecology, Epidemiology and Biosecurity
• ARC CoE for Biosecurity Risk Analysis
• ARC CoE for Mathematical and Statistical Frontiers
• ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centre in Optimisation Technologies, Integrated Methodologies and Applications
• Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute
• Academic Staff
• Professional Staff
• Honorary Staff
• Postgraduate students
• Upcoming events
• Mathematics and Statistics Research Competition
• Professional development for maths teachers
• Micro Mathematicians
• Vacation Scholarships Projects
• Vacation Scholarships Posters
• Vacation Scholarships Supervisors
• Connecting with alumni
• Student societies
• Support mathematics and statistics
• MS Walkers Mentoring Program
• Student Awards
• Equity & Diversity feedback form
• Our leadership team
• Message from Head of School
• Staff Intranet
• Current Students

Current opportunities at Melbourne

Phd innovators program manager.

Job no: 0062651 Location:  Parkville Role type:  Full-time; Continuing Department:  Research, Innovation and Commercialisation Salary:  UOM 8 – $119,742 - $129,607 p.a. plus 17% super

• Manage the University of Melbourne's newest innovation program - do you enjoy entrepreneurial challenges?  
• Opportunity to develop leadership, program management skills and leadership with the innovative ecosystem 
• Work with bright minds and foster a culture of innovation!  

About the Role As the Melbourne Entrepreneurial Centre - PhD Innovators Program Manager you will manage expanding the Melbourne Entrepreneurial Centre - PhD Innovators Program, which creates and grows an entrepreneurial mindset among the PhD student body equipping them with the knowledge and tools to pursue entrepreneurial pathways with their research, develop highly transferable entrepreneurial skill sets and nurture their involvement in University of Melbourne Innovation Ecosystem.   

You will be responsible for the operational outcomes, evaluation and measurement of the PhD Innovators Program and delivering a high quality, engaging and scalable experience. This position requires an enthusiastic and dynamic individual with an exceptional operational and project management skills. As Program Manager you will create and deliver consistent, and high-quality training and contribute to the program development for all teams and participants.  

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading the end-to-end delivery of the PhD Innovators Program and related activities such as Selection, Onboarding, Program Delivery, Office hours, Project Matching, Post Program Data reporting 
• Managing mentor engagement of the program including tracking mentor involvement, developing reports for mentors to PhD 
• Facilitating and delivering workshops, prepare toolkits, and online resources for participants to use to improve their learning outcomes 
• Managing participant selection process including tracking applicants, project selection and relevant reporting of metrics 

Who we are looking for You will have excellent judgement, the ability to anticipate needs and be able to identify and manage dependencies across a portfolio of work. Your high level operational and project management skills with demonstrated ability to manage competing deadlines will be vital to the role. 

You will have excellent attention to detail, analytical and problem-solving skills as well as an understanding of the key elements of the process of forming a new business and technology start-ups. Your will possess strong written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated capacity to prepare high quality presentations, reports and documentation. You will be able to liaise and work effectively with a range of internal and external stakeholders to achieve successful outcomes.  

You will also have:

• A relevant degree or substantial relevant work experience in the research innovation, entrepreneurship, startup or investment sector or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training
• A proven track record supporting researchers, research, and the innovation ecosystem towards commercial and impact outcomes
• Strong experience in coaching a broad-range of participants or startup founders

For further information regarding responsibilities and requirements please refer to the attached PD.

Please note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position . This role requires current valid work rights for Australia.

Your new team – Research, Innovation and Commercialisation Research, Innovation and Commercialisation (RIC) is the central facilitator of research funding in the University, taking advantage of the full diversity of research funding opportunities. The Melbourne Entrepreneurial Centre (MEC) sits within RIC. MEC is passionate about enriching the culture of entrepreneurship within the University of Melbourne and creating the entrepreneurial leaders of the future. Our aim is to offer students, alumni, academics, industry and the general public opportunities to engage with and move innovation forward to create real world impact. Further information about MEC is available at https://www.unimelb.edu.au/mec/about

What we offer you! In addition, we offer the opportunity to be part of a vibrant community and enjoy a range of benefits including generous leave provisions, salary packaging, health and well-being services, and discounts on graduate courses. For more information check out our benefits page!

The University of Melbourne We’re tightly connected with the community, both at home and abroad. We take pride in our people, who all contribute to our mission to benefit society through the transformative impact of education and research. Discover more via our website and stay connected with our stories and people on LinkedIn .   

Be yourself The University of Melbourne values the unique backgrounds, experiences, and contributions that each person brings to our community and welcomes and celebrates diversity.  First Nations people, those identifying as LGBTQIA+, parents, carers, people of all ages, abilities, and genders, and people of diverse ethnicity, nationality, and faith are encouraged to apply. Our aim is to create a workforce that reflects the diversity of the community in which we live. For more information please visit our Diversity and Inclusion page.

We are dedicated to ensuring barrier free and inclusive practices to recruit the most talented candidates. If you require reasonable adjustments, please contact the employee listed on the first page of the Position Description found below, with an email containing your name and contact details for a confidential discussion. Please ensure your email is titled "Reasonable Adjustments Request".

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants We aspire to be the University of choice for Indigenous Australians, with unprecedented investment to attract, nurture, and retain Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and staff. Tangible support through a range of programs and initiatives will ensure that you personally succeed and flourish while at the University of Melbourne.

For further information, including our 2023-2027 Indigenous strategy please visit - https://about.unimelb.edu.au/reconciliation/murmuk-djerring

Join Us! If you feel this role is right for you, please apply with the following documents: 

• Cover Letter outlining your interest and experience

Please note that you are not required to respond to the selection criteria in the Position Description.

If you have any questions regarding the recruitment process, please feel free to contact Ivanka Yan via email at [email protected] , ensuring that you include the Position Number and the Job Title as the subject. Please do not share your application to this email address.

If you have any particular questions regarding the job please follow the contact details listed on the Position Description.

Applications close:  11 June 2024 11:55 PM Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST)

Please note that in the event of sourcing a suitable candidate, the closing date for applications may be brought forward, and the job vacancy may be closed. Therefore, we encourage interested individuals to submit their applications promptly.

Advertised: 28 May 2024 12:05 AM AUS Eastern Standard Time

Applications close: 11 Jun 2024 11:55 PM AUS Eastern Standard Time

We will email you new jobs that match this search.

Great, we can send you jobs like this, if this is your first time signing up, please check your inbox to confirm your subscription.

The email address was invalid, please check for errors.

You must agree to the privacy statement

Search results

Powered by PageUp

Job Alert Applicant log in

Job keyword search

• Continuing 1
• Parkville 1
• Academic Services 1
• Business Services 1
• COO (Chief Operating Officer) Portfolio 1
• Research, Innovation and Commercialisation 1
• $119,742 - $129,607 (UOM 8) 1

Popular Searches

• Study Overseas
• Top 15 Universities for Pursuing PhD in Australia

PhD in Australia: Top 15 Universities, Eligibility and Fully-Funded Scholarships

Updated On Jun 05, 2024

Share on Whatsapp

Share on Email

Share on Linkedin

Limited-time offer : Access a free 10-Day IELTS study plan curated for you

Table of Contents [ Show ]

Why Study PhD in Australia?

Top 5 phd courses in australia for indian students, top 10 universities for pursuing doctorate in australia, top 5 universities for phd in it in australia, phd requirements in australia for international students: eligibility criteria, application process for pursuing phd courses in australia, scholarships that are fully funded for phd in australia for international students.

We know how frustrating it can be to gather all the information needed to study for a PhD in Australia. The entire process can be overwhelming for most students. But there's an easier way! As education experts, we've put together a comprehensive guide to assist you in every phase of your journey.

Whether you're just starting to explore your options or are ready to apply, this guide will provide the essential information and insights you need to successfully pursue a PhD in Australia.

Studying PhD in Australia is a great decision if you are contemplating it or researching it. Australia offers numerous benefits, making it a desirable destination for higher education. Here are some compelling reasons:

• Australia's education system ranks 1st according to the UN's Education Index. The average PhD duration is 3.5 years, offering top-notch research experience, renowned universities, advanced laboratories, and successful PhD completion.
• The 2022 Graduate Outcomes Survey revealed that 84.7% of research degree graduates, including those with PhDs, secured full-time employment within 6 months of graduation.
• A PhD in Australia for Indian students offers diverse opportunities across industries and research projects. Graduates can secure jobs in both public and private sectors, with an average salary ranging from $110,000 to 150,000 AUD.
• With 20 universities ranked in the top 300 according to the 2024 Times Higher Education Rankings, Australia is undeniably a great place for education.

Dream Big, Study Bigger!

Explore PhD Programs

Pursuing a PhD enables students to enhance their research skills and engage in innovative coursework. With over 250 specializations to choose from, here are some of the top PhD programs in Australia favored by most Indian students.

Below, we have also provided the average tuition fee range for each specialization.

Here are the top 10 PhD colleges for doctoral degrees in Australia, offering diverse opportunities in various fields. The program durations vary by field of study, typically ranging from 2 to 3 years.

A PhD in IT is an advanced program that focuses on core IT concepts and their applications. Fresh IT consultants typically earn around A$80,000 annually. Completing your PhD not only provides a substantial stipend during your studies but also ensures a competitive salary post-doctorate.

Also Read: 50 Most Asked Interview Questions for Australia Student Visa

Pursuing a Ph.D. in Australia offers flexibility and convenience for both local and international students, as you can begin the program at any time of the year. It is advisable to apply at least 4 months in advance to the desired university to ensure a smooth start.

• Secure an academic supervisor willing to support your PhD application
• A compelling research proposal aligning with the supervisor’s interests. Upon acceptance, you’ll receive a letter of proposal approval from the university
• Proof of academic degrees: 3 - 4 years of undergraduate and 2 years of postgraduate study
• Minimum required English language proficiency test scores, such as an overall IELTS score of at least 6.5
• Documentation of English language skills, grade transcripts, and a CV
• Passport or proof of Genuine Temporary Entrant status
• Some universities and departments may require you to attend interviews
• Health insurance meeting the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) guidelines for the duration of your PhD in Australia

Once you have understood the eligibility requirements, here is the step-by-step application process for PhD courses in Australia that you must note. The application process can vary slightly depending on the university you are applying to.

Step 1: Visit the official website of your desired university to review available programs and courses, ensuring they meet the minimum eligibility criteria.

Step 2: Prepare a research proposal to accompany your application, outlining your experience and ideas clearly. Here is the SOP for PhD blog that you must refer

Step 3: Contact the university's Research examiner or supervisor to assess their expertise and experience in your field of study.

Step 4: Review the document requirements and complete the application form with guidance from your potential supervisor.

Step 5: Expect a response within 6 - 8 months, ensuring all necessary documents and transcripts are included to enhance your enrollment prospects.

Explore: Cost of Studying In Australia For Indian Students In 2024

Australia is a popular PhD destination due to its ample funding options, beautiful beaches, and generous post-study visas. Funding for Australian PhDs comes from government and university scholarships, offering numerous opportunities.

Below, we highlight the top fully funded scholarships in Australia and their allowances.

Also Read: Cost of living in Australia

Secure Your Future

Get Expert Help!

Embark on Your Study Abroad Journey with GetGIS

In conclusion, pursuing a PhD in Australia offers unparalleled opportunities for academic growth, research excellence, and career advancement. With its top-ranked universities, cutting-edge facilities, and vibrant academic community, Australia stands out as an ideal destination for doctoral studies.

If you're considering this path, let GetGIS study abroad and immigration experts guide you through every step of the process. Their expertise and support can make your journey to studying in Australia smooth and successful, ensuring you achieve your academic and professional goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can international students apply for Ph.D. internships in Australia?

What is the stipend for PhD interns in Australia?

How long does a PhD take in Australia?

Can PhD Students Work Full-Time in Australia?

Which Visa to Apply for PhD in Australia?

Nisha Menon

Sr. Content Marketing Specialist

Nisha Menon is our seasoned content writer with over 5 years of expertise in content marketing. Nisha combines her profound knowledge with skillful SEO practices to craft content that informs and engages. Beyond her writing prowess, she specializes in content related to Immigration and PR services, her commitment to continuous learning keeps her well-versed with the latest industry trends. In her leisure moments, she finds solace in creativity and embarks on travel adventures. Her unyielding commitment to seeking inspiration blends harmoniously with her love for exploring new horizons.

Related Articles

PhD in Germany For International Students: A Complete Guide

Krithika Babu

Top 10 Best Aerospace Engineering Universities in the World in 2024

Top 24 Non-GRE Universities in the USA in 2024

Pursuit home

• All sections

“Melbourne had no place for the ‘black’ Indigenous population in the ‘white Australian race’”

Before 1940, the University of Melbourne was the centre of Australian eugenics – and it didn’t end with World War II

By Dr Ross L. Jones, University of Melbourne

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this article contains images and names of people who have died. It also includes distressing descriptions and derogatory terms for Indigenous people used in their historical context.

In 1943, at the height of World War II, Wilfred Agar, professor of zoology, geneticist, and dean of the Faculty of Science at the University of Melbourne, released a blueprint for a healthy, prosperous and happy future for Australia.

The booklet, Science and Human Welfare , was part of a series called Realities of Reconstruction , published jointly by Melbourne University Press and Oxford University Press. It argued for measures to restrict the breeding of less able (“mentally deficient”) Australians.

He cited sterilisation programs in numerous countries and remarkably singled out the German program for special favour.

A key, largely unspoken element in Agar’s contention concerned race. In the final footnote of his booklet, Agar explained that his calculus relied on immigration restriction to “only white peoples”.

Agar’s championing of ‘whiteness’ represented a considerable body of contemporary opinion . The “eugenic imagination” in the first half of twentieth-century Melbourne had no place for the ‘black’ Indigenous population in the ‘white Australian race’.

"The Boorong pride themselves upon knowing more of astronomy than any other"

When eugenics was mainstream, the university made it so.

Agar was president of the Eugenics Society of Victoria from its foundation in 1936 until the end of World War II in 1945. His predecessor as putative leader of the eugenic movement in Melbourne was another University of Melbourne professor, Richard Berry, who was professor of anatomy in the Medical School from 1906 to 1929 (and dean from 1925 to 1929).

Berry claimed that most criminals, slum dwellers, “full-blood” Aboriginal people and “coloured races” were mentally and racially deficient.

These views received almost total consensus in all the newspapers of the day.

The membership of the Eugenics Society of Victoria reads like a who’s who of the academic, judicial, scientific and educational elite of Melbourne society, the majority of whom had close ties with the University, and which included the vice-chancellor, Sir John Medley.

In fact, the Society was effectively an offspring of the University of Melbourne, and clearly Medley provided a sympathetic environment for it.

However, right up until the last decade or so of the twentieth century, material relating to the involvement of such public supporters of the eugenic movement was forgotten or ignored in biographical publications or entries.

The work of the Melbourne eugenicists produced specious justifications for racial science, drawing on a climate of racism that long predated it.

What is now called scientific racism appeared in the late eighteenth century and gained considerable intellectual ammunition after the publication of Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species in 1859, along with The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex in 1871.

Evolution came to be seen as one of the most important influences on biological, and therefore, human, history and development.

It became almost universally accepted that different races had different evolutionary pathways , and that the ‘black’ races were at an earlier stage of development than the ‘white’ races, with the ‘yellow’ in-between.

"This has so rarely occurred in the University's history"

After some initial opposition at the University, ‘social Darwinian’ ideas, especially those relating to eugenics (the science of improving a race by selective breeding), quickly spread, especially after the arrival of Walter Baldwin Spencer as the first chair of biology in 1887 and then Richard Berry in 1906.

The University was to be central in this intellectual justification of the racial superiority of the white races, and in the program that effectively removed from the Indigenous population any consideration of fair or reasonable treatment or acceptance.

Post WWII, the world moves on but eugenics lives on

In Australia, eugenics virtually disappeared as a topic from newspapers.

The popular rejection of the extreme form of eugenics was endorsed in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization ’s (UNESCO) 1950 Statement on race .

Yet, on the evenings of 14 and 15 September 1977, at the invitation of an organising committee of the Faculty of Education, professors of psychology Hans Eysenck and Arthur Jensen delivered the Fink memorial lectures in Wilson Hall in the University of Melbourne.

In 1969, Jensen had published an article in the Harvard Educational Review that claimed intelligence was essentially heritable, accounting for 80 per cent of the effect. He also claimed that black Americans scored, on average, about 15 points (one standard deviation) lower than white Americans.

Eysenck had been Jensen’s mentor and teacher, and soon after he published a book backing Jensen’s argument .

"For the first time, the curriculum in Australian classrooms has a focus on truth-telling"

In his lecture, Jensen made it clear that eugenics remained a subject of research at the University of Melbourne, arguing that a biological view of intelligence had made a triumphant comeback after the decades of disgrace after 1945.

After World War II, a group of eugenicists across Europe and the United States had attempted to distance themselves from the Nazi atrocities and distinguish between ‘good’ eugenics and ‘bad’ eugenics.

This has been the catchcry of many up until the present day.

In this history of the University of Melbourne, we can see that it is not always easy to distinguish between much of what was preached by the Eugenics Society of Victoria before the war and the views of its supporters after the war .

The first Indigenous graduate at the University of Melbourne (and in Australia) was Margaret Williams Weir , who completed her Diploma of Physical Education in 1959, more than half a century after the first Māori graduate in New Zealand, Sir Apirana Ngāta, who was born in 1874 and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 1893 from Canterbury University College.

Before the 1950s, there was no prospect of Indigenous Australians enrolling at a university.

This is an edited extract from Dhoombak Goobgoowana – A history of Indigenous Australia and the University of Melbourne – Volume 1: Truth , published by Melbourne University Publishing and edited by Dr Ross Jones, Dr James Waghorne and Professor Marcia Langton. Hard copies are available to purchase, and a free digital copy is available through an open-access portal.

Banner: Nicholas Currie. ‘Big Line’ (orange, purple and pink stain), 2024. Ink and oil paint unprimed canvas

How to apply

Guides and resources to help you complete your course application as you begin or continue study with us.

Application guides

Information to consider before you apply.

Advanced standing

Apply to transfer any credit or recognised prior learning credits by applying for Advanced Standing.

It's important to know about the expenses you will incur when you come to study at Melbourne.

Scholarships

Find out about our scholarships. One of these could be a pathway to help you study with us.

English language requirements

Your lectures, tutorials, exams, class discussions and other activities will all be in English. You will need to provide English language competence evidence to be offered a place at Melbourne.

How can we help?

If you have a question about studying or applying with us, you can find help at the support centre.

Find answers to scores of questions about eligibility, applying, scholarships, offers and more.

Our Future Students team can help answer your questions about studying in Melbourne.

Online Application System for PhD and MPhil Admission

Welcome to the Online Application System for admission to the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Master of Philosophy (MPhil) programmes of the University of Hong Kong. Please read the information on the Graduate School homepage under “Prospective Students” carefully to make sure you understand the application procedures and requirements before completing the form.

All applicants are required to create an account to submit the application.  The account is valid for 4 weeks. If you do not submit your application within 4 weeks after account creation, your account and all information entered will be deleted from the system.  Save your data in the online application form from time to time.  The system will automatically log you out if it is idle for 30 minutes.  All unsaved data will be lost.  Click here for the operational guide of the Online Application System. 

The applications will be reviewed by the relevant academic units.  Applicants may be required to attend an interview and/or sit for a test arranged by the proposed department of study as part of the selection process.  The Graduate School will inform all applicants of the result of their applications via email in about three to four months after the deadline of application.  Applicants may also check the result via the Online Application System.  Under NO circumstances will the Graduate School inform applicants of the results through telephone.

Applicants who have indicated interest in applying for admission to the Joint PhD Programme(s) will NOT be notified separately of the results of their applications for the Joint PhD Programme(s).  Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted individually by the Faculties/Departments concerned for further processing of their Joint PhD applications.

Please refer to the  Personal Information Collection Statement  and the  Privacy Policy Statement  of the University for details. For unsuccessful applications, information will normally be destroyed 6 months after the release of the application result.

Online Application System

• Research degrees
• Your research options
• Supplementary PhD Programs

Infection and Immunity PhD Program

2 Minute read

The Infection and Immunity PhD Program is a supplementary learning opportunity to enrich your graduate research experience. The program offers an opportunity to share your research with other disciplines and expand your peer network.

You can find existing Graduate Research courses using our Find a Course search tool.

This PhD Program is a supplementary learning opportunity that will enrich your PhD experience. As a participant, you will work with others who share a passion for discovering new knowledge about infection and immunity. On this program, you will:

• learn from global leaders in infection and immunity
• access high-calibre scientists and facilities
• work in an environment where discovery research meets diagnosis and surveillance
• work with experts in infectious diseases, epidemiology, genomics and more.

The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity delivers this PhD program. The institute is a joint venture between the University of Melbourne and the Royal Melbourne Hospital. You may join this program if you are:

• a graduate researcher at the Doherty Institute
• enrolled in a PhD at the University of Melbourne.

The Doherty Institute is home to high-quality discovery research. It has large diagnostic operations in virology and bacteriology. So, the institute can provide vast research training opportunities in many areas, including:

• epidemiology
• clinical and translational research
• infectious diseases surveillance
• outbreak investigations.

As a program participant, you will access first-class research training in your primary discipline. And you can supplement this with extra workshops, seminars and potential internships. Our key partners in biopharmaceutical-linked industries provide these extra training opportunities. These connections will assist with future employment opportunities, beyond the pure research environment.

Graduate researchers in the Infection and Immunity PhD Program have access to a wide range of workshops. Examples include:

• scientific writing and communication
• project management
• PhD management – organise your time efficiently
• intellectual property
• business and accounting
• immunology data presentation series
• CV and interview preparation
• data management.

You will also attend events such as:

• Meet the Industry Experts
• Doherty Institute Seminar Series

Participate

To take part, you must be enrolled in a PhD at the University of Melbourne, and based at the Doherty Institute.

When you join the program, you will remain enrolled in your current department.

You can join the PhD Program at any time during your candidature. You will remain part of the program until you complete your research degree.

If you’re a current University of Melbourne PhD candidate

• Talk with your supervisor about participating.
• Contact the PhD Program Officer.

If you want to apply for a PhD with the University of Melbourne

• Explore PhD opportunities in infection and immunity.
• Find a supervisor.
• Once you’re accepted as a PhD candidate, contact us.

First published on 21 February 2022.