How to apply

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Eligible prospective postgraduate research candidates who wish to apply to a research degree in UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture must submit an expression of interest (EOI) to the relevant area. The EOI must be completed prior to formal application.

This pre-application process allows us to complete a preliminary assessment of your application and identify whether an appropriate supervisor and resources are available.

Preparing an application

Please follow the steps outlined below:

Ensure you satisfy the admission criteria (under the determine your eligibility section) for your chosen research degree. You must also ensure you meet the UNSW English Language Requirements for this Faculty.

If you require a scholarship to undertake your research degree, please read the information at UNSW Scholarships.

International applicants: This Faculty offered one international main award (RTPI/UIPA) scholarship round in 2026 which has now closed. The next RTPI/UIPA round will be in early 2027 for commencement in 2028.

All applicants should be aware of the fees and costs associated with higher degree research.
You need to contact prospective supervisors to determine in advance if they are in a position to supervise your research topic. Find a research supervisor for your chosen research topic or visit the UNSW Research website.

Once you have identified an appropriate supervisor, contact them by email with your research proposal. If a prospective supervisor has agreed to supervise your research proposal, you can progress to Step 3.

Please note schools/centres do not allocate supervisors to research applicants and evidence of supervisory support is a mandatory supporting document for all EOIs.
Please complete the relevant expression of interest in higher degree research candidature form and compile all supporting documentation as listed on the EOI form's checklist.

Your EOI should then be emailed to the relevant admissions contact in your proposed school or centre (contacts are listed on the final page of form).

Please note that the EOI assessment period can take four to six weeks to complete and can only begin once all supporting documentation has been provided. Applicants applying for a UNSW scholarship must note the ADA EOI deadline for their selected scholarship round (see Timelines for Assessment below).

EOIs that do not meet the UNSW English language requirements are not eligible to be considered until this requirement is met.

EOI forms:

Download this expression of interest form if you’re an applicant to the following programs:

Master of Arts (MA) by Research (2353)
Master of Education (MEd) by Research (2354)
Master of Philosophy (MPhil) Built Environment (2222)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Creative Practice (1273)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Education (1970)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Humanities (1271)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Social Sciences (1272)
Indigenous Studies (PhD) (1110)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Built Environment (Practice-based PhD) (1122) — applicants to this program must provide a list of additional resources required to undertake the project and attach with their EOI.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Built Environment (1120)
Professional Doctorate in Public Policy and Governance (1746)
Professional Doctorate in Social Work (1744)

Download this expression of interest form for the Master of Philosophy (MPhil) Arts & Social Sciences (2364). — this program (2364) is offered by all schools except Art & Design (A&D) and Built Environment (BE).

Download this expression of interest form for HDR programs in the School of Art & Design:

Master of Fine Arts (MFA) (2245)
Master of Philosophy (MPhil) Art, Design & Media (2267)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Art, Design & Media (1292)

Applications for the 2027 intake of the Doctor of Education (EdD) program (1975) are now closed. Information about future application rounds will be published on this page when available.

The expression of interest is a mandatory admissions process and must be completed before lodging a formal application to UNSW.

Next steps

On receipt of your EOI form and all supporting documents, the school/centre will review your application to assess your eligibility for entry, and that appropriate supervision and resources are available.

If the school/centre you are applying to determines that you are eligible and that supervision and resources are available, you will be invited to submit a formal application.

Your formal application must include this invitation to apply email from the school as the 'proof of contact'.

It is important to note that an invitation to apply does not constitute an offer for admission to study at UNSW.

For detailed instructions on how to submit your formal application and more information on admission and scholarship deadlines, go to UNSW Research.

Timelines for assessment

Expression of interest processing can take up to four to six weeks for assessment.

Scholarship applicants:

Applicants wishing to be considered for a UNSW scholarship must lodge their full EOI to the school by the relevant ADA EOI deadline.

Any EoIs received later than the ADA EOI deadline cannot be guaranteed processing in time for relevant scholarship rounds.

Domestic Applicants:

Commencement	Scholarship round	ADA EOI deadline	UNSW application deadline	Offer release
Term 2 2027	UNSW 2027 March Release	20 November 2026	15 January 2027	From 25 March 2027
Term 3 2027	UNSW 2027 July Release	TBC	TBC	TBC
Term 1, 2028	UNSW 2027 November Release	TBC	TBC	TBC

International Applicants:

Please note ADA offers one international main award (RTPI/UIPA) scholarship round per year.

Commencement	Scholarship round	ADA EOI deadline	UNSW application deadline	Offer release
Term 3 2027 or throughout 2028	China Scholarship Council (CSC) 2027*	20 November 2026	15 January 2027	From 5 March 2027
Term 1 2028	UNSW 2027 July Release	12 March 2027**	16 April 2027	From 23 July 2027

* You must have confirmation from your supervisor that they will top up your CSC stipend to the UNSW Living wage scholarship rate
** Applicants requesting an English waiver should submit their EOI 8 weeks before the EOI deadline to accommodate the additional processing.

Self-funded/externally funded/sponsored applicants:

Applicants who are not applying for a UNSW scholarship should submit their EOI to the school at least 12 weeks (domestic) or 16 weeks (international) before an offer of admission is required.

Contact us

Get in touch if you have any questions about studying at UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture.

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