How to apply

The Australian School of Business welcomes Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from applicants intending to apply for a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in the Australian School of Business.

 

The aim of the EOI process is to provide you with a preliminary assessment of your application without the need for you to provide certified copies of your transcripts, and to identify a potential supervisor for your research.

 

Please note: all potential applicants must send an EOI to the Australian School of Business Research Office before formally applying for admission. On the basis of the EOI, applicants may be invited to submit a formal application for admission.

 

How to submit an EOI

Email the Australian School of Business Research Office with the following information:

1. A completed EOI questionnaire: EOI questionnaire (pdf version), EOI questionnaire (word version)
2. A research proposal
   

3. Resume/Curriculum Vitae

4. Academic transcripts for all previous degrees (at this stage it is not necessary to provide certified copies)

5. Two recommendation letters or referee reports: Referee report form (pdf version), Referee report form (word version)

6. Any other relevant information available, such as an English score, GMAT/GRE score, an abstract of a thesis completed for your previous degree/s, etc 

An acknowledgement will be emailed to you after your EOI is received by the Research Office. Please allow at least 4 weeks for your EOI to be considered. You will be informed whether you should make a formal application for admission.

 

Prior to submitting an EOI, candidates should also work through the following steps:

 

Step 1: Check that you meet the minimum academic entry requirements

PhD: The minimum academic entry requirement for the PhD is:

 

• A four year undergraduate degree with honours class IIA or better in a related discipline*
• A strong research masters degree in a related discipline*; OR
• An equivalent academic qualification or level of experience

 

MPhil: The minimum academic entry requirement for the MPhil is:

 

• A coursework masters degree in a related discipline* with an overall grade of Distinction (75 per cent) or better
• A four year undergraduate degree (preferably with honours); OR
• An equivalent academic qualification or level of experience

 

* The notion of a related discipline can be interpreted broadly. The table below lists the types of non-business disciplinary backgrounds which may be suitable for admission to selected programs. This list is not exhaustive and interested applicants with backgrounds other than those listed may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

 

Background	Eligible to apply for PhD/MPhil in:
Anthropology and Sociology	Marketing Management
Computer Science, Software Engineering and Manufacturing	Information Systems
Engineering and Physics	Banking and Finance
Geography and History	Management
Law	Business Law & Taxation Management
Mathematics and Statistics	Actuarial Studies Banking and Finance Economics Marketing
Psychology	Marketing Management

 

Step 2: Identify the disciplinary school in which you wish to enrol

 

• Accounting
• Banking and Finance
• Economics
• Information Systems
• Marketing
• Management
• Risk & Actuarial
• Taxation & Business Law

 

Step 3: Prepare a research proposal

 

PhD applicants
At UNSW and other Australian universities, it is standard practice to ask applicants to submit a research proposal. The research proposal is used by the School to determine whether it is possible to provide adequate supervision and resources to support your research.

 

If you are accepted into the program, the topic may be reviewed or refined during the course of your enrolment. The proposal is also used to assess your capacity to undertake research. It should demonstrate:

 

• Clear aims and objectives
• Some consideration of method
• A good command of the English language
• That you are capable of independent and critical thinking

 

Your research proposal should be 3-7 pages in length and include:

 

• A discussion of the issues you would like to explore (why it is important and interesting)
• Background literature supporting your project
• An explanation of the way your project would significantly add to the understanding of the topic
• A bibliography of your background literature

 

MPhil applicants
MPhil applicants may submit a brief research proposal which indicates their area of interest.

 

Step 4: Be aware of the UNSW English language requirements

All applicants, whether domestic or international, for admission to any UNSW program, who do not have an assessable qualification undertaken and assessed in English, must provide evidence prior to enrolment that their English language ability meets the minimum requirements for admission.

 

Applicants will be deemed to have satisfied the English language requirements if they can provide evidence that they meet one or more of the following criteria:

1. Prior study in the medium of English
2. Residency
3. English language tests:
• IELTS: Overall minimum score of 6.5 with a minimum of 6 in each sub-test
• TOEFL-Internet based: Overall minimum score of 90 with a minimum in writing of 24
• TOEFL-Computer based: Overall minimum score of 233 with a minimum in the essay rating of 5.0

• Read more about UNSW's English language requirements.

 

Applicants who do not meet the requirements outlined above may still proceed with their EOI, but must register for an English test.

 

EOIs can be lodged any time throughout the year.  However, if you are aiming to apply for a UNSW research scholarship (APA, UPA, IPRS, UIPA or TFR+Faculty Stipend), you will need to complete a separate scholarship application by the schoalrship closing date in order to apply and it is strongly recommended that you lodge your EOI with the Australian School of Business Research Office as soon as possible. Applications received after the dates specified below may not be considered in time for the scholarship application closing date.

 

EOI closing dates for UNSW research scholarship applicants

 

Applications for semester 1 (March) and semester 2 (July) 2012
 
Applications for UNSW research scholarship programs (APA, UPA, IPRS, UIPA, TFR+Faculty Stipend) by both local and international students:

 

• Semester 1: Closed
• Semester 2: From 4 January, 2012 to 2 March, 2012

 

EOI Closing date for both local and international students:

 

• Semester 1: 28 January, 2012
• Semester 2: 30 May, 2012

 

EOI closing dates for Australian School of Business research (ASBRS) scholarship applicants

 

• EOI closing date for 2012 ASBRS: Closed

 

Further information on UNSW research scholarships:

 

• International research scholarships
• Domestic research scholarships

 

Students who are successful in their application for a UNSW research scholarship are automatically eligible for the Australian School of Business Supplementary Scholarship.

 

How to make a formal application for admission (invited applicants only)

If, after submitting your EOI, the School's Postgraduate Research Coordinator recommends that you apply for admission, applications to our postgraduate research programs can be made. Apply online.