How offers are made
Graduate research applications may be assessed in selection rounds on specific dates or continually throughout the year. Check the course page for more details on the application process for the graduate research course you have chosen.
Conditional offers
Sometimes offers are made with certain conditions – such as submitting final results. Once you have the documentation to meet your offer condition, you can upload it directly to your application. See How to upload documents. You will need an unconditional offer before you can proceed with enrolment.
Respond to your offer
Ensure you respond to your offer by the date specified in the offer letter, otherwise it may lapse.
If you've been sent an unconditional offer, you can choose to accept it online immediately. Your offer must be accepted by the date on your offer letter. After this date, the offer will lapse*.
Follow the instructions in your offer email to accept. Then you can enrol and start planning your studies.
- If you've already completed a Melbourne degree, you can enrol in your graduate research course from your current student account.
- To enrol as a new student, go to Get Started at Melbourne. There you can create a student account, apply for a student card, plan your course, apply for subjects, find out about orientation day and more.
Read our Terms and conditions for domestic students before completing your enrolment. Once you enrol, you'll be bound by our fees policy and agree to pay tuition fees for every semester that you're enrolled in.
*To request an extension of the offer lapse date, submit an enquiry to see if this is possible and if there are still places in your course.
How to defer your offer
If you're offered a place in a graduate research course and wish to defer the commencement of your studies, you’ll need to consult the graduate research administrator in your faculty.
If you've previously accepted your offer but change your mind before enrolling, please contact your faculty graduate research office.
Information about how to defer your offer, the University's deferral policy, and which courses accept deferrals is available on Get Started at Melbourne.
How to decline your offer
If you've received an offer for a place at Melbourne and decided not to accept, you'll need to log in and decline your offer.
Alternatively, you can defer your offer if you think you might change your mind later and the course allows deferral.
If your application is unsuccessful
If you don't receive an offer and you're not happy with the outcome, you can ask for a review of your application by submitting an enquiry. You can also ask about additional study options to increase your chances of getting into a degree in the future.
Resources
Get ready to start as a graduate researcher
Visit our Graduate Research Hub for everything you need to know about being a graduate researcher, from attending orientation through to graduation.
Frequently asked questions
You’ll be notified by email and in the application portal. Your offer letter will include instructions on how to accept, defer or decline.
Some offers are conditional (for example, requiring final transcripts). You must meet all conditions by the stated deadline for your offer to become unconditional.
Deferral may be possible in some circumstances, subject to faculty approval and supervisor agreement.
Commencement dates are flexible for many graduate research programs and are agreed upon with your faculty and supervisor.
After you accept your offer, you’ll receive instructions to set up your student account and complete online enrolment. This includes confirming your research project, verifying your details and agreeing to University policies.
You should contact the University as soon as possible to discuss options, such as deferral or withdrawal.