Whatever your passion, the University of Melbourne offers stimulating graduate research degrees, including PhDs, and the support you need to pursue them.

Study at a globally leading university

  • #1 in Australia
  • #13 in the world
  • #8 in graduate employability
  • 2500+ supervisors

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Make a difference through graduate research

Belong to a globally connected research community. Collaborate with supervisors, experts and peers who share your passion for discovery and impact. As Australia’s leading research-intensive university, we'll support you to make a difference.

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Graduate research at Melbourne

Thrive in a diverse, inclusive and supportive research community.

Our research and innovation
Campus life
Diversity and inclusion

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Access our world-class facilities and experts

Push the boundaries of your knowledge with support from our experts and premium facilities.

Our facilities and precincts
Support for entrepreneurship
Supervision from experts

Graduate research scholarships

Access to financial support

Our graduate research scholarships will support you to focus on research you're passionate about. Our 700+ scholarships include fee remission, living allowance and travel, research and activity-based bursaries. You are automatically considered for scholarships when you apply.

Research Training Program scholarship
Melbourne Research scholarship
Other scholarships and financial support

We offer several graduate research degrees that allow you to explore your area of interest in depth.

To gain a PhD, you will complete a four-year full-time or equivalent part-time research project. You'll develop expert research and analytical skills. And you'll communicate the outcomes in a thesis and through an oral presentation.

To complete the degree, you must make an original and significant contribution to knowledge. A PhD is an internationally recognised qualification.

Find a PhD degree

The Master of Philosophy is a two-year degree in which you'll complete a substantial research project. You'll develop advanced research skills, techniques and specialist knowledge in your discipline. You'll produce a thesis.

Completion of a Master of Philosophy provides one pathway to the Doctor of Philosophy.

Find a Master of Philosophy degree

Masters by Research is a two-year degree, at least two-thirds of which is devoted to research. You'll gain advanced disciplinary and research expertise and produce a major research thesis.

Find a Masters by Research degree

Find a supervisor

We're consistently ranked as a leading university around the world for research. Be guided by our experts.

Browse supervisors

Find a project

Explore the research projects listed by our experts and express interest in the opportunities that suit you.

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Before you apply

Each degree has different minimum entry requirements and English language requirements. Requirements may also vary for domestic and international applicants. Before you apply, check the entry requirements for your degree and discipline.

How to apply

 

Indigenous researchers

Join a close-knit cohort who share your challenges and motivations.

Interdisciplinary research

Collaborate with experts in other disciplines across the University.

Research internships

Expand your professional networks and strengthen your research and transferable skills.

International joint PhD degrees

Access expertise, resources and training together with our international partner institutions.

Research support

Our services will support you throughout your research career.

Protecting your IP

Have an idea? We’ll help you protect your intellectual property.

Hear from our graduate researchers

Find out what motivated our current students to study with us, and how researching has changed their lives and careers.

I’m going to be the caretaker of a lot of this really important knowledge.


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Darcy Wallis, PhD Arts
Photo of Darcy Wallis, PhD Arts

Having the PhD as an economist has given me enormous experience and confidence.


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Dr Shashi Karunanethy, PhD Economics
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Life as a researcher

What is a graduate research degree like? Where can it lead you? Explore success stories from our graduate researchers who have taken paths from academia to running their own business.

Research ethics and integrity

We're committed to responsible and ethical conduct in all our research endeavours. We support that commitment with a robust system of review and comprehensive training programs.

Explore more research

Pursuit is the University's award-winning research news website. It's updated regularly with a restless focus on what occupies our lives today.