How to apply for Higher Degree by Research
This information is for domestic students and international students.
Higher Degree by Research (HDR) courses include Doctoral programs (PhD) and research-based Masters programs. Explore your options on the JCU course pages and find your preferred course.
All Higher Degree by Research applications should be submitted through JCU’s Online Application Portal.
Application process
Before you apply
Refer to the JCU course pages to determine which Higher Degree by Research offering meets your needs. Check that you meet the entry requirements. Take note of the course code for use in your application.
JCU has detailed Higher Degree by Research entry requirements. Ensure that you have read these and are eligible to apply before progressing further.
A higher Degree by Research application also requires several pieces of information. Prospective candidates may use the checklist below to ensure all necessary documents for an application for a Higher Degree by Research are gathered in preparation for submitting the application online.
Higher Degree by Research courses require you to contact and confirm a potential advisor before you begin your application. You can use the University’s Research Portfolio to help you find an advisor. Try entering key words relating to your project/area of expertise in the search function. You can also view the JCU Register of Advisors. The advisors will need to sign the completed Higher Degree by Research Application Form (DOCX, 105 KB) to confirm they are available to supervise your research.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
A. English Language Requirements
Undertaking a higher degree by research at James Cook University requires a high standard of academic English. You are strongly advised to ensure that you can meet the formal entry standards in this area as exceptions are not normally granted.
Applicants to a higher degree by research (HDR) whose native language is not English must demonstrate their English language proficiency by achieving Band 2 in a test such as Academic IELTS or TOEFL . Please see this table for the scores required. The test result must be no more than two years old.*
JCU accepts results from many different English language tests, which must be undertaken at an approved testing centre.
Online mode tests including TOEFL Home Edition, IELTS online, and IELTS Indicator are not recognised.
*TOEFL iBT tests that were completed between 26 July 2023 and 4 May 2024 will not be accepted for Australian visa and migration purposes. During this period, the TOEFL iBT test being offered was not an approved test. JCU continues to accept TOEFL iBT results to meet English language proficiency requirements for admissions purposes. However, it is the student's responsibility to ensure they meet English language requirements for visa purposes, following the advice from the Department of Home Affairs.
If you have further questions please email grs@jcu.edu.au
Candidates who meet the entry standards may also be required to undertake a Post-Entry Language Assessment (PELA) upon commencement of their degree, to determine whether they require additional English language support in the early stages of candidature. Please refer to the PELA website for further information.
B. Overseas Health Cover
Overseas Health Cover (OSHC) is insurance to assist international students in meeting the costs of medical and hospital care that they may need while in Australia. International students in Australia must hold OSHC for the duration of their stay in Australia, as a condition of their student visa.
An estimated OSHC premium is provided to students in their JCU Letter of Offer, along with further details about how to make any adjustments to cover as required, including adding family members to your policy.
Most students are required to pay the OSHC premium upon acceptance of the JCU offer. If you are applying through a partner institution, or have an official sponsorship recognised by JCU, payment will be arranged in accordance with the relevant agreement.
Please see more information here: https://www.jcu.edu.au/international-students/coming-to-australia/overseas-student-health-cover-oshc
Submitting your online application
You will be asked to provide the following for your Higher Degree by Research application:
A. Project Proposal
You will need to be able to summarise your project idea. Ensure that you have a clear understanding of what you would like to achieve, and how, before progressing.
B. Higher Degree by Research Application Form
Your completed Higher Degree by Research Application Form (DOCX, 69 KB)
C. Transcripts and testamurs
Documents for qualifications that you have completed or are in the process of completing.
D. Proof of your citizenship or residency in one of the following forms:
- Passport
- Birth certificate
- Visa
E. Current curriculum vitae (CV), which should include:
- Link to all publications
- Referees
- Research Experience
F. JCU Scholarship Publication Table (required if applying for a scholarship)
Once you’re ready to apply, open the JCU Online Application Portal.
Click on ‘My Course Applications’ and follow the prompts to complete your application.
Ensure that all your documents have attached properly, and that you have correctly completed every section. The JCU Graduate Research School team will be in touch if further clarification is required.
To support your application, you may also wish to provide:
A. HDR Recognition of Prior Learning Application Form:
- Recognition of Prior Learning - PDF format (PDF, 232 KB)
- Recognition of Prior Learning - Microsoft Word format (DOCX, 54 KB)
B. JCU Scholarship Publication Table
C. AIMS@JCU Application Coversheet
D. Details of any cotutelle or external funding arrangements
After you apply
Once you have correctly submitted all required forms and documents, the Graduate Research School will assess your application.
You may be contacted to provide further clarification or documentation. Please check your emails regularly and respond promptly to any requests. This will ensure that JCU can assess your application efficiently.
The Graduate Research School can assist you with any questions that arise while you await the outcome of your application.
| Call us | Available Telephone |
|---|---|
| Send us an email | grs@jcu.edu.au |
| Schedule an appointment | Locations How to schedule an appointment |
| Drop in consultations | Available Locations |
| Campus locations | Townsville Bebegu Yumba campus Cairns Nguma-bada campus |
More information to support your application
FAQ's
Yes, you are required to contact and confirm your potential advisors before you begin your application. The advisors will need to sign the completed APP FORM 01 Higher Degree by Research Application form before your application can be considered.
There is no deadline to submit an application for PhD or MPHil, however, there may be a deadline to submit your scholarship application, please refer to the following web page for more information - https://www.jcu.edu.au/graduate-research-school/hdr-candidates/postgraduate-research-scholarships
To be eligible to apply for entry to a Doctoral program (PhD or Professional Doctorate), an applicant must demonstrate the capacity to undertake research at the Doctoral level by meeting at least one of the following entry requirements:
a) a Bachelor’s degree with Second Class, Division A (Honours) or above in a degree program that included a total of 12 credit points of supervised project work, the results of which contributed to the Honours grade;
b) a postgraduate qualification (e.g. Masters by Coursework or Graduate Certificate/Diploma of Research Methods) which includes a supervised research component of at least 12 credit points (full time equivalent) graded at the equivalent of Distinction or above;
c) Master of Philosophy Degree or equivalent, where at least two thirds of the degree consisted of a supervised research component and resulted in the production of a thesis or equivalent method of communicating research outcomes;
d) a combination of qualifications, research training and experience, considered equivalent to the above by the Dean of the College to which the Candidate is applying, e.g., senior authorship of at least one peer-reviewed publication plus completion of an appropriate research methods subject
There are pathways into PhD, such as Master of Philosophy or Graduate Certificate of Research Methods or Graduate Diploma of Research Methods but we usually need to receive an application in full before this can be determined, final decision falls to the College itself who base the decision on all information provided.
As long as you are not looking to enrol onshore at JCU on a Student Visa, it is possible to enrol off campus as an external student, please discuss this option with your potential advisors
We're here to help
JCU has a rich and varied research community. Our friendly team can assist you in finding the right course to suit your goals and are always happy to answer any questions. Contact us to find out more.