CAIS Higher Degrees by Research
CAIS Higher Degrees by Research

Higher Degree by Research

Applicants enrolling in either an MPhil or PhD should, in the first instance, contact the Centre for Arab & Islamic Studies to ascertain the suitability of their candidature.
Applicants are asked to submit a sample of written analytical work and an outline of their thesis proposal and copies of full academic transcripts to assist with this process. All applicants will be asked to show evidence of English language proficiency. (for more information see below).

All inquiries for Higher Degrees by Research at CAIS should be sent to: HDR.CAIS@anu.edu.au

CAIS is home to a diverse body of research scholars - view the research of our academic staff, current HDR scholars and graduated scholars on our people page. CAIS fosters a community of practice where HDR scholars develop spaces of interaction, establish strong collegial relationships, and exchange information regarding their studies. Read more about CAIS community of practice...

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

PhD degrees are expected to submit their thesis for examination within four years (full-time study), or up to eight years part-time. A standard-format thesis is about 80,000 words, and makes a substantial contribution to the relevant scholarly literature, and demonstrates how their research relates to their discipline. It is also possible to submit a PhD in an alternative format (such as a composition, exhibition or other creative work) or by publication upon approval by your supervisory panel and the Centre. 

Master of Philosophy (MPhil)

Program duration for MPhil degrees is up to two years full-time and up to four years part-time. An MPhil thesis is normally limited to 60,000 words.

PhD Programs:

9520XPHD Doctor of Philosophy RSSS

Details and Application: https://programsandcourses.anu.edu.au/2021/program/9520XPHD

MPHIL Programs:

8520XMPHIL Master of Philosophy RSSS

Details and Application: https://programsandcourses.anu.edu.au/2021/program/8520XMPHIL

 

Minimum entry requirements

Admission to a Higher Degree by Research requires you to have completed an Honours degree at H2A level or above, or equivalent prior studies, such as a Master’s degree that includes a significant research component. Generally, it is a requirement that you have completed your tertiary studies in the discipline in which you are planning to do research. Please note that exceptions to this can be made with relevant approvals.

Please also refer to the ANU English Language Policy.

Commencement

You can apply at any time throughout the year and commence at any time throughout the year (except the end-of-year University closedown period). Please note that deadlines apply for those wanting to be considered for a scholarship, as listed below. If you are successful in gaining a scholarship, your scholarship conditions may state that you must start by a particular date.  For the main domestic and international scholarship rounds the deadline to commence your program (if successful in gaining a scholarship) is the 31st of March in the following year.

Coursework

The College requires research students to complete postgraduate/research coursework (the equivalent of one semester full-time study) as part of their degree. Coursework may include training on research methods, ethics and other topics as deemed appropriate by your supervisory panel and School/Centre.

Attendance

Students enrolled in Higher Degree Research programs are expected to be in attendance for the duration of the program (full-time is 40 hours per week and part-time is 20 hours per week) unless approval is given by the Delegated Authority for the student to be an external PhD degree candidate. On-campus candidates will be expected to physically attend ANU as a full-time student for 18 months or for a part-time student for 24 months. Periods of absence on fieldwork, conference attendance, or in pursuit of the program at another institution do not count towards this attendance period. External candidates must spend a minimum of 4 weeks (consecutive or non-consecutive) per year of the program at ANU.

External candidates must note their periods of time in residence at the ANU in their Annual Reports. The written approval of the appropriate Delegated Authority is required for any variation to these attendance requirements. If you intend on applying to be externally based you should discuss this option with your proposed supervisor (Chair of Panel) and should also note this in your application for admission. Once enrolled, to gain formal approval to be externally based you will need to complete the Application for External Attendance in Research Program.

Preparing for your application

Research proposal

To be considered for the PhD or MPhil program, prospective students must submit a research (or thesis) proposal for review. When contacting potential supervisors or Graduate Research convenors they will most often expect that you have already prepared a draft research proposal. The proposal is often utilised as an indicator to assess the quality and originality of your ideas, your skills in critical thinking, the project's feasibility, and how the research fits within the School or Centres current research focus and supervision capacity.

The length of the proposal required varies between different Schools and disciplines. As a guide, you should aim for between 2 and 5 pages. On advice from your potential supervisor or Graduate Research Convenor, you can adjust your initial proposal to fit within the School or Centres guidelines.

Please note that your initial research proposal should be viewed as a starting point or work in progress. In your first year of candidature, your research proposal will most often be refined such as through detailed literature reviews, coursework courses completed, supervisors and other academic colleagues.

In writing your research proposal you should consider:

  • The field of research or topic of investigation
  • Your primary research objective or central research question to address
  • The value of your research and the contribution it will make to your field
  • The context and background of your research
  • Your research strategy and methods

What should I include in my thesis proposal?

  1. Title: A precise and informative description of the project. Avoid acronyms and phrases such as "A study of . . ."
  2. Abstract: A summary of the proposed research (approx 300 words) that includes the key research question or hypothesis, the rationale for the research, and the method to be employed in the study
  3. Aims & significance: A clearly focused statement of the overall purpose of the proposed research (i.e., why is it important?)
  4. Research questions and/or hypotheses: the questions that the proposed research will address and/or the hypotheses that will be tested
  5. Literature review: A preliminary review of the key research that has already been carried out in the field and identification of the gaps in the literature that the proposed research aims to fill
  6. Methodology: An explanation of what type of data will be required to answer the research questions or test the hypotheses and how the data will be collected and analysed
  7. Timetable: An indication of how the research will be carried out over the duration of a full-time (3 years for PhD, 2 years for MPhil) or part-time (6 years for PhD, 4 years for MPhil) candidature
  8. Resources: An indication of the funding that will be required over the course of the candidature (e.g., for fieldwork) as well any special materials or training that may be necessary for the successful completion of the project
  9. Institutional fit: A statement on why CASS is an appropriate 'home' for the project and an indication of potential supervisors/advisors
  10. Bibliography: A list of references cited in or relevant to the proposal

 

Finding a supervisor

Identifying a potential primary supervisor is an important part of any graduate research application. Browse the CAIS Academic's page to find and contact a potential supervisor to support your application. 

Please note that once you have found a potential supervisor, any offer of supervision will be subject to you being formally offered admission to the program and meeting any conditions (if applicable).

 

Application Queries

If you have any technical difficulties when applying you should contact the Admissions Office:

Domestic inquiries | International inquiries

After you have completed your application, the normal timeframe for an outcome is six to eight weeks. If you are applying for an ANU administered scholarship, in order for us to prepare your application as best as possible you should try to aim to submit your application well in advance of the final closing deadline (2 to 3 weeks prior to the deadline). If you are applying for an externally administered scholarship such as the Endeavour Awards, you should apply well in advance of your deadline (try to leave at least 6 to 8 weeks prior to the deadline).

 

Scholarships

Admission and ANU-administered scholarships for HDR degrees are applied for together in the one application for admission (an online form). If you are interested in being considered for an ANU administered scholarship you should indicate this in the relevant sections of the application.

Applications for ANU administrated scholarships for international students close on the 31st of August each year, and for domestic students, it closes on the 31st of October each year. Scholarships are highly competitive and there are always more applicants than there are scholarships.

In order to be eligible to be considered for a scholarship, you must have the equivalent of H1 honours (first-class honours). The Scholarship ranking process is very rigorous, each applicant must first be internally ranked and recommended by their School or Centre for the Scholarship round. Then a central College HDR Scholarship round committee assesses and ranks each applicant. Many criteria are taken into account such as the applicants:

  • Academic record (including GPA)
  • Research potential and support from prospective supervisor and area
    • Research Proposal
    • Referee reports & questionnaires
    • Publications
    • Prizes, Awards and Scholarships
    • Relevant professional experience
  • English language competency
  • Ranking relevant to others in the graduate research field or discipline area

Following this there is often a University level ranking committee that ranks applicants put forward by the College to reach a final ranked list of applicants.

Information on scholarships is available at the ANU Apply online portal

 

Fees

Domestic students

Domestic research students at ANU are covered by the Fee Offset scholarship offered under the Australian Government Research Training Program (AGRTP) where the cost of your tuition is paid by the Commonwealth Government.

Research students are required to pay other associated costs such as the Services and amenities fee.

International students

Information on Fees is available at the ANU Apply online portal. 

 

HDR transfers

If you are currently undertaking an PhD or MPhil at another Australian university, you will still need to apply to ANU as normal. If you are given an offer of admission before you can be enrolled you will need to provide the following:

  1. Your program commencement date and withdrawal date (if already withdrawn)
  2. A statement of your RTS (or AGRTP) consumption to date (in EFTSL - Equivalent Full-Time Student Load).
  3. Dates and durations of any periods of leave (other than recreational leave).
  4. Whether your enrolment was full or part-time.

Please note these details can be obtained from your university administration.

So we can determine your eligibility for Scholarships please advise if you have been in receipt of any Scholarships under your current (or previous) Higher Degree by Research programs (such as an APA scholarship). 

Please also note that before you can enroll at ANU, the enrolments office will also require Proof of withdrawal from your current University. You can provide this information to us once you have received an offer letter from ANU.

Read more in the CASS HDR guide

 

Contact us 

For further information, assistance or inquiries please contact us at:  Kirill.Nourzhanov@anu.edu.au or hdr.cais@anu.edu.au