Media and Communications: How to apply for a PhD (local students)
Preliminary enquiries
We strongly encourage prospective Masters by research and PhD applicants to make contact with the School before submitting an application, in order to establish whether supervision is likely to be available in their proposed research field and to take advice on how best to formulate the research project description.
To do this, please send an email to the Research Coordinator with the following information:
- a brief biography and your full contact details
- some details about your educational background
- your draft research proposal
Research proposals
Your research proposal should outline your proposed research project, including a clear indication of which texts/materials you intend to focus on and what your methodology or approach will be. The final proposal you submit with the application needs to be at least 600 words in length. The draft research proposal should be about this length as well.
We will let you know if you might find a supervisor in the School and put you in contact with them. You do not need to have arranged a supervisor for your work before you submit an application, but the application form provides an opportunity for you to name any staff member you have approached about supervision.
How to apply for a PhD (local students)
Please note that the School of Culture and Communication requires PhD applicants to provide the following documentation in addition those specified in the application form:
- a research proposal, as detailed above
- two written academic references (these can be sent direct to the Research Students Administrator by the referees; see contact information to the right)
- The references should assess your research abilities to date (skills in identifying research areas, carrying out independent research, motivation and organisation, writing skills, ability to meet deadlines etc), as well as your research potential and the potential of proposed project (if appropriate)
- a 5,000-word sample of recent work
Note: Applicants for PhD in Creative Writing please note that the writing sample must demonstrate both research-based critical writing and creative writing.
Note: If you recently completed your Honours year (or a Masters or a Postgraduate Diploma) in this School you do not need to provide references or a writing sample.
Applications for research degrees may be submitted at any stage throughout the academic year, however, local students must apply before 31 October to be considered for scholarships in the following year.
PhD applicants will find instructions on how to apply on the Melbourne School of Graduate Research Application page.
Completed applications should be submitted to:
Research Students Administrator
Elisabeth Murdoch Building
University of Melbourne VIC
3010
Australia
If you have any queries about the application process, please contact the School's Research Students Administrator.
International students should visit the following page: How to apply for a PhD (international students).