How to Apply

Initial enquiries about graduate studies in Education at ANU should be emailed to the Graduate Convenor.

Graduate studies in Education are offered at Masters and PhD-level courses by research. Each student is located in one of the areas in which education is undertaken and has a primary supervisor in the same area. The supervisor is a member of the student's advisory panel, which will also include (as a minimum) another supervisor and advisor. Advisors can be from any education department, from elsewhere in the University, or can also be located outside the University.

Generally it would be expected that an applicant to undertake a PhD in education at the ANU would have both:

• undergraduate or postgraduate qualifications in education, and
• be able to demonstrate research potential through having completed Honours, a Research masters or a research training program.

Applicants who do not have these prerequisites need to discuss the equivalent knowledge and skills that they bring to their research degree with their potential primary supervisor/panel chair. It is possible that you will be required to undertake courses/coursework as part of your candidature and these requirements will be outlined in your letter of offer. Full-time graduate candidates are expected to devote at least 40 hours per week to their program.

STEP 1: Find a prospective supervisor and make contact

As a guide to students seeking supervision, this list of education staff at the ANU has their primary fields of research.

Enquiries about supervision may also be emailed to the Graduate Convenor.

You may also look at the research interests of all ANU staff.

STEP 2: Prepare a proposal

If the Graduate Convenor and prospective supervisor(s) decide that your project is viable and appropriate, you should prepare a formal proposal. Potential supervisors will provide feedback to assist you to prepare your project proposal. An outline that you can use for your proposal is available here: Preliminary Research Proposal Guide .

In addition, applicants to a research degree in Education should provide a writing sample of approximately 20 pages double-spaced.

STEP 3: Submit your proposal to the Graduate Convenor

Formal proposals and a writing sample, along with the prospective Supervisor's name, should be directed to the Graduate Convenor. If you are applying for a scholarship it is advisable to do this well before the closing date of 31 October.

STEP 4: Submit your application to the ANU

When your application is ready to go, you can apply online

Please note that in the 'search for programs and awards' box you will need to choose 'award type’ (Master of Philosophy or Doctor of Philosophy) but leave other criteria fields empty or 'all'. The screen following that will ask you to choose the local area (e.g. CEDAM) in which you will be studying.

Your application will need to include:

• the research proposal that has been reviewed by the Graduate Convenor

• curriculum vitae

• academic transcripts

• English language test results (if applicable)

• evidence of permanent residency status (if applicable) 

• relevant written work

You should also have contacted your referees and requested that their reports be sent to the University under separate cover. The referee report form is at the back of the application form.

All of these requirements are listed in the application form itself.

Applications for admission without scholarship funding can be submitted at any time, but we encourage you to time your application so that you enrol with the majority of students in February/March.

Applications for admission and scholarship will be considered only if they are received prior to the relevant scholarship deadline.

STEP 5: Accepting your offer

If you are successful in your application you will receive an offer of a place at the ANU. For advice on how to accept this offer, see the University's official guide.

For information on scholarships, funding, fees, admissions and enrolments, visit Student Administrative Services.

Further application information