Doctor of Philosophy

• completion of a Master of Research (MRes) with a grade of at least a Distinction level (75 per cent or greater)
• a Master of Philosophy
• a two-year masters degree with a major research component at Distinction level (75 per cent or greater).

Note: the entry requirements for cotutelle and joint PhD are the same as for the Doctor of Philosophy.

Further requirements include:

• peer-reviewed research output may be taken into consideration for admission to the program
• you must also demonstrate your suitability for entry to the program by including a detailed research proposal
• entry will also be assessed on availability of appropriate supervision and resources.
• candidates who have not completed an MRes and do not meet the above criteria may be asked to undertake the Master of Research as a research training pathway to the Doctor of Philosophy.

For admission to the PhD, the University needs to confirm that prospective candidates will be able to complete their degree within the stated time periods, and that they have undertaken:

1. Significant study of their discipline beyond undergraduate level, are equipped to make strategic decisions about the state of research in their field and key new directions for research, and are thus ready to conduct an HDR level project.
2. A substantial research project at masters level that indicates they have significant experience in independently identifying a research question, designing a research project using a methodology that they have been able to justify in relation to alternatives, and that their project has produced coherent and well-justified conclusions, situated in relation to the literature.

Macquarie University requires all research candidates (both domestic and international) to have and maintain a high level of English language proficiency. Applicants will need to demonstrate they have met this through one of the following requirements.

1: Five years’ study in selected countries

You have completed a minimum of five years’ study in one or more of the following countries:

• Australia
• Canada
• New Zealand
• South Africa
• Republic of Ireland
• United Kingdom
• United States of America

Note: citizens, passport holders and permanent residents of the above listed English speaking countries are not exempt from providing proof of English language proficiency in the form of an acceptable English language test score unless they can show evidence of at least five years’ study in one or more of these countries.

2: Hold a valid English language proficiency test

The test must not be more than two years old at the time of submitting your application to Macquarie University:*

Please note: TOEFL iBT tests that were completed between 26 July 2023 and 4 May 2024 will not be accepted for Australian visa and migration purposes. During this period, the TOEFL iBT test being offered was not an approved test. See English language visa requirements.

^IELTS Online test scores will not be accepted.

Visa applicants should refer to the Document Checklist Tool to find out which documents need to be attached to their visa application and acceptable English language tests to satisfy the visa requirements.

If you are applying for a research degree in English Literature or Law you will need to meet the required levels of English proficiency required by those programs:

• English Literature (in Media, Communications, Culture, Languages, and Literature): IELTS overall score of 7.0, with a minimum of 7.0 in writing and 6.5 in all other categories.
• Macquarie Law School: IELTS score of 7.0 overall, and a minimum of 6.5 in any category.

*Note: Applicants who wish to seek an exemption to the requirement to provide English Language test scores on the grounds of a minimum of three years’ working experience or equivalent in an English speaking country will be asked to provide a letter from their employer, or equivalent, on an official letterhead which states:

• their position title
• the duties they undertook
• an idea of what level of English was spoken and how English was used in terms of written or verbal communication, for the endorsement of the Associate Dean (RTP) of the Faculty and recommendation to the GRA.

3: Successful qualification

You have successfully completed a bachelor degree in Australia (Australian Qualification Framework AQF7), or higher, within two years of submitting your application.

4: Approved for a package offer

If you have sat an approved English Language test as above, but do not meet the minimum band scores in one skill area but are otherwise eligible for a program of study, you may be issued an offer of study that includes an English preparation program at the Macquarie University English Language Centre (ie a packaged offer).

International students with a packaged offer can apply for a single student visa covering both their English preparation program and their course of study at Macquarie University.

If you have previously completed an English language preparation program from Macquarie University, the results must not be more than 12 months old at the time of submitting your application for the HDR program.

A PhD is a three-year full-time research study program.