FAQs for research students
- What constitutes a research degree?
- What research degrees are on offer within the Melbourne Graduate School of Management?
- What are the entry requirements?
- What if I don't have prior academic research experience? What are some pathways to a PhD?
- What is the duration of a PhD?
- What is the duration of a Master of Commerce (Management) and Master of Commerce by Thesis?
- When can I start the degree?
- How many students are currently enrolled in research programs within the Melbourne Graduate School of Management?
- How do I find a supervisor?
- Am I eligible for a scholarship?
- How do I apply for a Faculty Scholarship?
- What are the fees for local students for the Master of Commerce (Management)?
- What are the course fees for a PhD or Masters for international students?
- Do I have to submit a Research Proposal as part of my application for a PhD?
- Am I able to study by distance or online?
- How and when do I apply for a PhD?
- How do I apply for a Master of Commerce (Management) and a Master of Commerce by Thesis in the area of Actuarial Studies?
- How can I find out about the status of my application?
- When do I get confirmed?
- How do I get in contact with a Department?
What constitutes a Research degree?
A graduate degree is classed as research when the research component accounts for at least 66% of the degree requirements.
What research degrees are on offer within the Melbourne Graduate School of Management?
PhD with Coursework (Accounting and Business Information Systems)
PhD with Coursework (Economics)
PhD with Coursework (Melbourne Institute)
PhD with Coursework (Finance)
PhD with Coursework (Management and Marketing)
Master of Commerce (Management)
Master of Commerce by Thesis in the area of Actuarial Studies
What are the entry requirements?
In all cases, please note that admission is subject to the availability of appropriate supervisory resources.
PhD
- The minimum entry requirement for the PhD is an Australian four year honours degree, or its equivalent, in a relevant discipline with a minimum overall grade equivalent to an H2A (75%) grade achieved at The University of Melbourne. Applicants who do not have a four year Honours degree must demonstrate that they have conducted a research project equivalent to 25% of a year’s full time study at fourth year, or Masters Level. An applicant mat also present a qualification or combination of qualifications considered by the Research (RHD) Committee to be equivalent.
- Applicants must also demonstrate the relevance of their research experience to their proposed topic of research.
- Applicants are also required to provide results of the Graduate Management Test (GMAT) or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test. If you are applying for the PhD with Coursework (Accounting and Business Information Systems), you are required to obtain a minimum score of 600 in the Graduate Management Admissions Test.
- All applicants must satisfy the University’s English Language requirements. Please see http://www.melbournegsm.unimelb.edu.au/future/admissions/english.html
Master of Commerce by Thesis
- The minimum entry requirement for the Master of Commerce by Thesis in the area of Actuarial Studies is an Australian four year honours degree, or its equivalent, in a relevant discipline with a minimum overall grade equivalent to an H2B (70%) grade achieved at The University of Melbourne. Or the successful completion of a preliminary course, normally the relevant postgraduate diploma, at an overall standard of at least second class honours.
- Applicants are also required to provide results of the Graduate Management Test (GMAT) or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test.
- All applicants must satisfy the University’s English Language requirements. Please see http://www.melbournegsm.unimelb.edu.au/future/admissions/english.html
Master of Commerce (Management)
- The minimum entry requirement for the Master of Commerce (Management) is an Australian four year honours degree in economics, commerce, or related discipline or its equivalent, with a minimum overall grade equivalent to an H2B (70%) grade achieved at The University of Melbourne. Or the successful completion of a preliminary course, normally the relevant postgraduate diploma, at an overall standard of at least second class honours.
- Applicants are also required to provide results of the Graduate Management Test (GMAT) or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test.
- All applicants must satisfy the University’s English Language requirements. Please see http://www.melbournegsm.unimelb.edu.au/future/admissions/english.html
What if I don’t have prior academic research experience? What are some pathways to a PhD?
Applicants must usually have prior academic research experience, for example, a completed research project/component that accounts for at least 25% of the years work at 4th year or at a Masters level.
Pathway to PhD in Economics
The Master of Economics is designed doe students with prior training in economics who wish to acquire the advanced skills needed to practise as a professional economist in the public or private sectors. More information about this degree are available on the Master of Economics page.
Pathway to PhD in Finance
The Master of Commerce (Finance) is designed for those with demonstrated finance skills who wish to deepen their knowledge and understanding of the many advanced aspects of finance. This course also provides an appropriate foundation program for students intending to proceed to the PhD program in Finance. More information about this degree are available through the Master of Commerce (Finance) page.
Honours
Honours graduates are highly sought within the corporate sector, and many also go on to complete further study at masters or PhD levels within Australia or overseas. More information about this degree maybe found through the Honours web page.
What is the duration of a PhD?
The usual duration of study is 3 years full time.
What is the duration of a Master of Commerce (Management) and Master of Commerce by Thesis?
The usual duration of study is 1 year full time.
When can I start the degree?
Entry is only available in Semester 1 of any given year.
How many students are currently enrolled in research programs within the Melbourne Graduate School of Management?
There are currently 130 students enrolled in research degrees at the Melbourne School of Graduate Research.
How do I find a supervisor?
Due to the unique nature of the PhD program you do not have to identify potential supervisor (s) at the time of application. Your supervisor(s) are determined at the time of confirmation. However, profiles of academic staff are available for your perusal within the specific Department websites. Please complete the appropriate application forms ignoring the Supervisor section, unless you have an existing pre arrangement with a supervisor or Department.
Am I eligible for a scholarship?
Demand for scholarships is strong and for an application to be competitive, results equivalent to an H1 (80%) average in your previous degree at The University or equivalent, are required.
How do I apply for a Faculty scholarship?
The Faculty of Economics and Commerce offers a number of full-fee remission scholarships for commencing international PhD candidates. Selection is merit based and all eligible candidates will automatically be considered. No separate application is necessary. Candidates who apply after this date will be eligible for remaining unallocated awards only.
In addition, some departments offer their own scholarships to PhD students. More information on research scholarships is available through our research scholarships page.
What are the fees for local students for the Master of Commerce (Management)?
For local students, tuition fees for all research higher degrees are funded under the Commonwealth Government RTS (Research Training Scheme). This provides local research students with a HECS exemption.
What are the course fees for a PhD or Masters for International students?
International fee-paying students at the University are charged fees on a per subject basis. These fees are set in a limited number of bands and the total fee payable for a course will depend on the subjects in which the student is enrolled. Details of the specific bands and charges are available through the University's Future Students website.
Do I have to submit a Research Proposal as part of my application for a PhD?
Yes, your Research Proposal should be referenced and at least 1000 words in length (excluding references). It should identify your research questions and the theoretical framework(s) that would inform your study. It should also include a brief reflection on the methodology you intend use in your study as well as its expected contributions.
Am I able to study by long distance or online?
No, these study options are not available.
How and when do I apply for a PhD?
Local applicants
Formal application procedures are detailed online through the University's Future Students website.
On average PhD applications take around six weeks, but this can vary a lot according to factors such as peak times (beginning and middle of the year), non-standard factors in the application, departmental correspondence, etc.
In order to be considered for a scholarship, you need to apply by the 31st October for entry into the following year.
International Applicants
If you are an international applicant (that is, neither an Australian citizen/permanent resident nor a New Zealand citizen) you will need to liaise with the International Centre for all admissions and scholarships queries. Formal application procedures are detailed online at the University's Future Students website.
In order to be considered for a scholarship, you need to apply by the 31st October for entry into the following year.
Students applying for a PhD with Coursework (Management and Marketing)
After reviewing the minimum academic requirements please advise the Department of Management and Marketing with as much information as possible. This includes information on how you believe you meet each of the selection criteria. This information should be emailed to pgrad-mgmt-mktg@unimelb.edu.au (PDF format scans of transcripts with official, numerical keys to the grading scales are required). The Departments will determine whether or not you meet the minimum academic standards for entry into the PhD and advise you accordingly.
How do I apply for a Master of Commerce (Management) and a Master of Commerce by Thesis in the area of Actuarial Studies
Local Applicants
Download the Master of Commerce (Management) application form (PDF 49kb) and submit to the:
Applications Officer
Melbourne Graduate School of Management
Level 4, 198 Berkeley Street
The
University of Melbourne
Victoria 3010 Australia
International Applicants
If you are an international applicant (that is, neither an Australian citizen/permanent resident nor a New Zealand citizen) you will need to liaise with the International Centre for all admissions and scholarships queries. Visit their website for application forms and information on how to apply. In order to be considered for a scholarship, you need to apply by the 31st October for entry into the following year.
All students applying for the Master of Commerce (Management)
After reviewing the minimum academic requirements please advise the Department of Management and Marketing with as much information as possible. This includes information on how you believe you meet each of the selection criteria. This information should be emailed to pgrad-mgmt-mktg@unimelb.edu.au (PDF format scans of transcripts with official, numerical keys to the grading scales are required). The Departments will determine whether or not you meet the minimum academic standards for entry into the PhD and advise you accordingly.
How can I find out about the status of my application?
Local Applicants
If you are a local applicant you will need to contact the Melbourne Graduate School of Management Office for information on the status of your application. You may submit your e-mail enquiry via the Economics and Commerce website at: http://ecom-unimelb.custhelp.com and choose the 'Ask a Question' tab.
Please quote your application number (if known) in all correspondence with the University. If you do not yet know your application number, the Melbourne GSM will require your full name and date of birth, and the name of the program for which you have applied.
International Applicants
Students should quote their application number (if known) in all correspondence with the University. If a student does not yet know their application number, International Admissions will require the student's full name and date of birth, and the name of the program applied for in order to assist in responding to the query as quickly as possible.
Normally students will receive a response within 6 weeks of receipt of their letter of acknowledgement providing all documentation required to assess the application has been received. If students have not received a response by this time and have applied through one of the University's approved representatives, they should contact the representative's staff regarding the progress of the application. If the student has applied directly to the University, they should contact the International Admissions Office by submitting a query online at http://unimelb.custhelp.com and choose the 'Send an Email' tab.
When do I get confirmed?
Confirmation is a key point in candidature. Its purpose is to determine whether or not work to date on the PhD research proposal indicates a strong likelihood that it will result in a high quality thesis, completed in the required time.
Probationary candidature is normally for a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 12 months (or 12 and 24 months for part-time students) ending once confirmation is confirmed.
The first year of the PhD program is composed of intensive and rigorous doctoral coursework across the department's key disciplinary areas. Progress to the research and writing phase of the PhD requires that a candidate obtain an average of 75% (H2A) or better in the coursework year.
How do I get in contact with a Department?
Accounting and Information Systems: http://www.abis.unimelb.edu.au/
Economics: http://www.economics.unimelb.edu.au/
Finance: http://www.finance.unimelb.edu.au/
Management & Marketing: http://www.managementmarketing.unimelb.edu.au/
Melbourne Institute: http://melbourneinstitute.com/
More information
- How and when to apply
- Scholarships
- Fees
- Download the Melbourne GSM 2010 Prospectus (PDF 3349 Kb)
- Visit the School of Graduate Research website
- Queries about research programs should be directed to research-melbgsm@unimelb.edu.au