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: If your undergraduate studies were not undertaken in English, then you will be required to submit a copy of an original IELTS test result that shows a score of 6.5 or better OR an original TOEFL test result that shows a score of 580 or better
4. Your tertiary qualifications, including certified academic transcripts
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.

Upon the Graduate School receiving a completed and signed Supervisor Candidate Agreement form, enrolment of a candidate is actioned. Candidature is deemed to have begun from the date of receipt of the signed agreement.

No. This is not possible for international students.

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.

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.