FAQs
Research program application
Research program application
The minimum academic entry requirement for the PhD is:
or
or
All applicants, whether domestic or international, must provide evidence that their English language ability meets the minimum requirements for admission, PRIOR to submitting their application for assessment.
Being born in Australia or other English-speaking country doesn't automatically mean that you will meet the UNSW English language proficiency requirements.
For more information refer to the English Language Requirements Policy.
For international students, part-time study is not available for this program. For domestic students, part-time study is possible but not preferred. It is not possible to study this program off campus.
A GMAT is necessary for applications to the Marketing stream and a GRE is necessary for applications to the Economics stream. If you are applying to study in either of these streams, please provide the relevant GMAT/GRE documentation with your online application.
No. You are required to complete a 1,500-word statement of research interests as part of your application and this will be used to assess whether there will be suitable PhD supervision available to you. During your first year you will have the opportunity to talk to potential supervisors and have this finalised before you commence Year 2 (Year 1 of the PhD program). Please be aware that due to limited supervision capacity, some applications may have a negative outcome despite their quality.
No separate application is necessary. Scholarships are offered to all students offered a place in the UNSW Business School Doctoral program.
Information on how to apply is available on the postgraduate research How to Apply page.
Step 1 (August 26, 2022)
Prospective applicants use the Apply Online system to complete their application.
Step 2 (August 27 2022 - September 30 2022)
Each Stream evaluates and ranks their applicants
Step 3 (October 1 2022 - October 21 2022)
UNSW Business School Admissions Committee meets and makes decisions on successful applications
Step 4 (Starting from October 24 2022)
Outcomes of their applications are communicated to the applicants
Once you have provided all the required documents, they will be sent to your nominated stream for assessment of likely supervision capacity in Year 2. The Director of Doctoral Studies (DDS) or Research Admission Committee will evaluate the academic record and statements of research interest of all applications in light of the streams’ recommendations. A maximum of 25 places will be offered each year.
All students accepted into the Business School Doctoral program will have their fees paid by a scholarship.
Below is a short description of documents that you must submit with your application:
The following documents are also required but can be sent at a later date:
Further documentation specific to your case may be required beyond the below, and we will contact you in the event these are required.
This part of the application comprises two parts. The first question requires you to provide a short video of yourself answering the specific questions. Upload the video to YouTube or other suitable online platform (it does not need to be made public) and provide a link to the video with your written answer to Question 2.
Question 1 (video upload, max 5 minutes) - to YouTube or other suitable online platform
Question 2
(Please include link to uploaded video from Question 1)
(max 1,500 words) Please provide a statement of your research interests, in as much detail as you are able at this stage, including possible research topic(s) you are interested in. This will also enable us to determine whether it is possible to provide adequate supervision and resources to support your research (from Year 2 onwards). Your statement should include
Note: You are not expected to provide a detailed proposal, as you will be exposed to a variety of different research issues during the early stages of the program. Your indication of preferred research topics will not constrain your subsequent choice of research topic within the Stream you are applying for, once you progress to the PhD (2nd) year.
Applications close on August 26 2022.
The scholarship offered with your admission will provide you with a tuition fees waiver plus a non-taxable living stipend over the 4 years of the Doctoral program. You will initially receive a one-year scholarship for the Masters year, which will comprise a tuition fees waiver plus living allowance of $30,000, paid across 10 months from February to November.
After successful completion of the first year you will progress to Year 2 (formal PhD enrolment) with a 3.5 yr scholarship at a similar level.
In addition to, but separate from, the scholarship you will also have the opportunity to undertake Research Assistant work during Term 2 of Year 1. This will be 50 hours undertaken in Term 2 at the hourly rate of Level 4 Step 1 + 25% casual loading.
The main entry is Term 1, commencing in February. Students can commence in Terms 2 or 3 if places are available.
We handle a very large number of applications for each intake with only a limited number of places available each year. If your application is considered strong enough and demand exceeds supply, you may be placed on a waiting list in the situation that another applicant declines their offer.
No, it means quite the opposite! The Doctoral program offered by the UNSW Business School is an integrated 4-year program. It is very competitive, fully funded and with limited numbers. Only the best candidates are offered admission, starting with the MPDBS. On completion, you will receive two degrees: a Master of Pre-Doctoral Business Studies and a PhD.
Successful completion of the Master of Pre-Doctoral Business Studies plus the embedded Research Assistant work will allow you to move into the Business School's Doctoral program the following year (subject to available supervision and satisfactory submission of application requirements).
All students are required to undertake the three core courses, regardless of prior learning. If you have previously undertaken courses required by your stream, or those courses are unavailable, you will be given the option of taking relevant elective courses instead, subject to the approval of the Stream Convenor.
All students are required to undertake the three core courses, regardless of work experience. If you have work experience that is considered to be equivalent to any of the courses required by your stream, you will be given the option of taking relevant elective courses instead, subject to the approval of the Stream Convenor.
No. Each of the core courses is offered once per year and so you need to complete them in the order offered. Given the size of the program (limited to 25 each year) this ensures you have an enhanced experience by moving through the program with your cohort.
No. The Master of Pre-Doctoral Business Studies is Year 1 of the program and cannot be taken alongside Year 2.
No, this is an on-campus program.
Yes, but MPhil is not as a pathway to a PhD.
Your work as a Research Assistant is an integral part of the program. It will provide you with experience in an academic enviornment which will enhance your competitiveness in the job market. Completion is necessary in order to progress to Year 2.
If you cannot find the answer you are looking for, please contact the UNSW Business School Research Office by email: