ELIGIBILITY:

To apply for PhD candidacy, you will need one of the following:

A Master’s by Research degree in a relevant discipline completed within the last ten years assessed at a La Trobe Master’s by Research thesis standard of 70 or above; OR

Bachelor’s (Honours) degree or Master’s by Coursework degree with a minor thesis of 10,000 to 20,000 (depending on disciplinary norms)* completed within the last ten years, where the minor thesis is assessed at a La Trobe Master’s by Research thesis standard of 70 or above.

Applicants should seek advice from their proposed supervisor regarding discipline norms where applicable regarding the typical thesis length. The written research component of your application will be evaluated according to the Master’s by Research Thesis Grading Schema and will need to be assessed at a standard of 70 or above.

Alternative Entry Equivalency:

If you don’t meet the minimum academic entry requirements for your chosen degree, you may still be considered for admission based on equity or alternative criteria. To be eligible, you must provide discipline-relevant evidence that demonstrates you possess equivalent knowledge and skills, and that you are capable of successfully undertaking a higher degree by research.

If you’re applying under alternative entry equivalency, we strongly recommend discussing your application with your prospective principal supervisor. They can help you select the most suitable research degree based on your background and assist in identifying the skills and experience that support your eligibility.

To apply on alternative entry equivalency grounds, please complete the Alternative Entry Equivalency Statement Form [PDF 177KB] or the Word version of the Alternative Entry Equivalency Statement Form [WORD 122KB] and attach it to your online application (along with your supporting documentation):

Domestic applicants should research the examples of skills and experience requirements of the online application.

International applicants in the Upload other documents section of the StudyLink application.

International applicants: As an international applicant, you will also need to provide evidence that you meet the minimum English language requirements set for your course (some programs can have higher English language requirements).

BENEFIT:

Successful PhD project scholarship applicants will receive the following:

A generous stipend valued at $36,000 per annum (2026 full-time rate) for 3.5 years for a PhD

A tuition fee scholarship for 4 years for doctoral degrees

Thesis and relocation allowances