Information for Prospective Students
Want to Do a Research Degree in the Faculty of Education?
Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started
Step 1: Identify your research passion
The first step is to identify the topic that you might like to pursue; as part of the application process you will need to provide some details on your proposed research ideas to choose possible supervisors. You will need to take a look at the literature in your chosen field and start to write some initial ideas for your proposed area of research, in terms of the problem/research questions you might investigate, some of the relevant research literature in the area, and the proposed methodologies/methods you might like to pursue. This will give us a starting place for an initial conversation about how your project might best fit with current gaps in the research, as well as areas of staff expertise here in the Faculty. We aim to have a brief document (1-2 pages or more) that can be shared with potential supervisors as part of the application process.
We can offer PhD supervision on a full-time or part-time basis. You can study on-site in Australia or study at a distance, from any location in the world. Students work with their supervisory team to prepare for the endorsement of their proposed research and at all stages of the PhD process. We admit students in all three sessions of study, so you can begin the application process at any time. It is important to note that this process may take a number of weeks or months, depending on the availability of supervisors, amount of documentation to be gathered, etc.
Step 2: Review the requirements
Take a look at the Faculty of Education’s PhD course (i.e., program) overview details. This website provides details on the structure of the PhD, admission requirements, study costs, etc. You will need to gather relevant documents (e.g., transcripts) so that they are available as part of the application process, so it’s important to review this website for the specific information we require. If you intend to study full-time on campus and apply for a scholarship you should read the requirements here.
Step 3: Review the staff profiles page
Take a look at the research expertise page to see who might be a good fit to supervise your work. This may also give you some ideas re: possible topics and/or ways to narrow things a bit. At the admissions stage, we require a minimum of two staff members to supervise – i.e., one to be Principal Supervisor and one to be a Co-Supervisor – but we can add other members to the team after you’ve started the program, once the proposal starts to take shape.
Step 4: Contact the Faculty Sub-Dean for Graduate Studies for details
Once you have an idea of your research topic, possible supervisors and the general requirements for application and admission, please contact Dr Brian Hemmings (bhemmings@csu.edu.au) to discuss next steps. He will answer any questions you may have about the PhD process itself, as well as the application/admissions process.
Step 5: Get to know your potential supervision team
Once you and Dr Hemmings have discussed your proposed application, you will be put in touch with your potential supervisors to discuss your work. You may be asked questions about your proposed research topic, your previous experience, your career plans, etc.
Step 6: Apply for formal admission to the program
At this stage in the process, we will have all the information needed to process your application for admission. You need to follow the “Apply Now” button on the PhD course overview page. Once your application is received it will be reviewed by the relevant School, by the Faculty of Education and by the Research Office before you are notified of a decision and offered a place in the program by the Admissions Office.
Scholarships and Fees
Fee-Waiver Scholarships
There are a limited number of fee-waiver scholarships for part time, distance education students. These scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis according to academic track records/potential; capacity to devote the time required to make satisfactory progress; the Faculty's ability to provide supervision by researchers actively researching in the student's area of research interest and closeness of fit with Faculty research concentrations. Applications are made directly to the Faculty, supplying the following documentation.
- information regarding your capacity to devote 16 -20 hours per week, for an average of 48 weeks of the year, to doctoral study detailed in a written study plan for a typical week and an indication of any additional blocks of time you would be able to devote to your doctorate (e.g., school holidays, long service leave)
- a sample of your academic writing - this could be a chapter of an earlier thesis, an assignment from Masters level study, or an overview of methodology you would be interested in using
- an indication of how your research interests would contribute to one of the Faculty of Education's areas of research concentration:
More information on Australian Postgraduate Award and International Postgraduate Research Scholarships can be found here: University Research Office scholarships page.
Fees
Australian and New Zealand students
Fee paying place
As a fee paying student, the Australian Government does not contribute to towards your study costs. You pay a tuition fee for each subject you undertake:
Information on fees for domestic students can be found here
International Students
Complete information on fees for International Students [on shore] can be found here.
Complete information on fees for International Students [off shore] can be found here.