Higher Degrees frequently asked questions

Each higher degree by research (HDR) provides the following information:

How to apply for a Masters by Thesis

How to apply for a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

How to apply for a Professional Doctorate

We offer Masters by Thesis, Professional Doctorates and Doctor of Philosophy higher research degrees.

Please see our Higher Degree by Research page for specific course descriptions and advice on how to apply.

Candidates seeking admission to Southern Cross University research degrees may apply at any time.

• Domestic candidates can choose to study full-time or part-time.
• All international students in Australia under the student visa must study full-time.
• It is the University's policy that all scholarship recipients must study full-time unless there are exceptional circumstances and approval has been granted for part-time study.

1. A 2-3-page research proposal
2. Identity documents if not born in Australia (photocopy of the picture page of your passport)
3. English Language Proficiency documentation: All Applicants whose first language is not English are required to achieve an International English Language Test Score (IELTS) Academic (or equivalent) equal to or above 7.0, with a minimum 7.0 in Writing and no other band less than 6.5.
4. Your tertiary qualifications, including certified academic transcripts and certificates
5. A 1-2-page summary of your career since graduation (CV)
6. Details of any thesis or publications you have authored or contributed to, and any other research undertaken.

You will need to prepare a research proposal which will assist with finding an appropriate supervisory team.

A research proposal is an outline of your proposed project, highlighting the potential, originality and/or significance of your research. It should detail the research question, your intended study approach, and how your findings will contribute to or challenge existing literature in the field. This will demonstrate to potential supervisors that there is originality in your ideas and that the research will make a significant contribution to existing knowledge.

The length of a research proposal should generally be no more than 5-6 pages long and include the following:

• A cover page - title, applicant's name, proposed supervisors, name of degree, followed by:
• Introduction and overview of the research;
• Review of current literature;
• Research design and methodology, including a brief timeline for completion of the thesis;
• The research proposal should detail the research gap and the methods they intend to use to answer the research question; 
• Significance and expected outcomes of the study;
• References.

A research proposal is not 'set in stone' but is used to identify the proposed research and to determine if the proposed research will, in fact, make a significant contribution to existing knowledge.  It should be understood that research projects and the design of the project may evolve as the research progresses.

A supervisor is needed before you can make an application for admission to study Higher Degree Research at Southern Cross University. You must have confirmed two supervisors who are willing to supervise your candidature. It is important that you have contacted them to discuss your research proposal.

A supervisor must:

• Possess relevant expertise to supervise you
• Be an approved supervisor on the Higher Degree Research Supervisor Register
• Have the capacity to supervise
• Have confirmed their willingness to be nominated as your Principal Supervisor/Co-Supervisor.

Find a supervisor

Depending on individual circumstances this process can take up to one month, so it is advisable to start the process early if you have a deadline you wish to meet.

Proposals that are not of a high standard will not be supported by the Faculty, so spending extra time on your proposal in the first instance will save time later.

Applicants will be enrolled on the date nominated on their Letter of Offer once accepted. They will have one month from the date of enrolment to complete a Supervisor Candidate Agreement via an online form in IRMA Nextgen (only accessible once enrolled).

Failure to complete the Supervisor Candidate Agreement form within the timeframe will result in a suspension of enrolment.

If you are applying to undertake a Higher Degree by Research at Southern Cross University (SCU) and wish to seek an exemption from the IELTS requirements, please refer to the Guidelines for IELTS Discretionary Exemptions in Forms and Documents. These outline the criteria for discretionary approvals of IELTS exemptions, which must be reported to the SCU Academic Board.
Important: Applicants from non-English speaking backgrounds or countries must provide an IELTS score if they cannot meet the requirements or are not from one of the listed countries. 

All candidates - part-time and full-time - must submit a progress report to the Graduate School every six months from the commencement of their candidature. Only candidates who are on interruption for the majority of the reporting period are exempt from submitting a report.

Q: Can doctoral candidates transfer to a Masters by Thesis degree?
A: Yes, doctoral candidates may transfer at any time into a Masters by Thesis degree if the project is suitable and the request is supported by the principal supervisor and Associate Dean (Research). Refer to the HDR Student Handbook for further instructions.

Q: Can Masters by Thesis candidates transfer to a doctoral degree?
A: Yes, Masters by Thesis candidates who meet the relevant admission criteria under Rule 8 (Professional Doctorate) or Rule 9 (PhD) may transfer at any time into a doctoral degree if the project is suitable and the request is supported by the principal supervisor, Director, Higher Degree Research, and Associate Dean (Research).

Candidates must demonstrate the ability to undertake doctoral-level research through a substantial written report and meet academic standards, as well as meet the relevant admission criteria under Rule 8 (Professional Doctorate) or Rule 9 (PhD). This is usually by publishing a substantial research paper as first author in a peer-reviewed Q1 or Q2 journal. Supervisors must be eligible to supervise at PhD level, and the project must be suitable for a doctoral program. Refer to the HDR Student Handbook for further instructions

Q: What should international candidates consider before transferring?
A: International candidates must ensure their student visa remains valid for the entire candidature, including an extra six months for thesis marking. They must also ensure their Overseas Health Cover (OSHC) matches their visa dates. The Graduate School will issue a new electronic confirmation of enrolment (eCoE) outlining the remaining duration of candidature. Candidates should contact the Department of Home Affairs to check visa status and conditions.

Q: What is the impact of transferring on Research Training Program Scholarships?
A: If a domestic student has exhausted their Research Training Program Fee Offset Scheme entitlement but remains enrolled, the Commonwealth government will no longer fund the candidature. The academic unit supporting the transfer must bear the cost of maintaining the candidature.

Q: How to apply for transfer from Doctoral to Masters by Thesis degree?
A: Application should be made via IRMA NextGen. Once approved at the Faculty level, it goes to the Dean, Graduate School. The application must describe the circumstances leading to the request, work completed and remaining, a timetable for completion, and confirm the proposed degree is in an equivalent field of research. Approval requires certification of satisfactory supervision and support arrangements.

Q: Will the period of Doctoral candidature count towards the Masters by Thesis?
A: Yes, the period already completed at Doctoral level will be deemed completed against the Masters by Thesis. If the new program exceeds the maximum period of candidature, an extension must be applied for. Normally, the new completion date will be extended by no more than twelve months (full-time equivalent).

Q: How to apply for transfer from Masters by Thesis to Doctoral degree?
A: Application should be made via IRMA NextGen. Once approved at the Faculty level, it goes to the Dean, Graduate School. Candidates must demonstrate ability to undertake doctoral-level research through a substantial written report and meet academic standards as well as meet the relevant admission criteria under Rule 8 (Professional Doctorate) or Rule 9 (PhD). This is usually by publishing a substantial research paper as first author in a peer-reviewed Q1 or Q2 journal. Supervisors must be eligible to supervise at PhD level, and the project must be suitable for a doctoral program.

Q: When is transfer from Masters to Doctoral degree normally permitted?
A: Transfer is normally permitted after the first full year of candidature in the Masters by Thesis degree (or part-time equivalent).

Q: Can the transfer process align with the confirmation of candidature process?
A: Yes, candidates may combine the transfer and confirmation processes. Nominated candidates can defer Masters confirmation and undergo a doctoral confirmation period. Based on performance, the panel may recommend transfer to doctoral enrolment, confirmation in Masters by Thesis, or a second attempt after three months.

Q: What happens after a second confirmation attempt?
A: The confirmation committee may recommend transfer to doctoral enrolment, confirmation in Masters by Thesis, or remedial action/termination of candidature in accordance with Rules Relating to Awards Rule 7 Part G.

The date of the second submission should be used for the revised thesis.

A minimum of two months before submitting your thesis.

Once your degree has been conferred by the University Council. This normally occurs at Graduation.

HDR students can lodge complaints with the Graduate School in a number of ways regarding concerns around their candidature.

 To raise a complaint or issues with the Graduate School, you can do so in a number of ways:

• By email
• Progress reports
• Confidential reports
• Raising the issue with their HDR supervisors, who then contact the Graduate School

If you would like to make a formal complaint, you can do so via the SCU Feedback and Complaints page. All matters relating to allegations of harassment, bullying or discrimination by an employee of the University should be reported directly via the  Complaint Policy - Staff.