The Australian School of Business welcomes expressions of interest (EOIs) from applicants intending to apply for a 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.  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. The completed EOI questionnaire
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 referees' reports

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

An acknowledgement will be emailed to you after your EOI is received by the ASB 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 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 master’s 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 master’s degree in a related discipline* with an overall grade of Distinction (75%) 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.

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

• Accounting
• Actuarial Studies
• Banking & Finance
• Business Law & Taxation
• Economics
• Information Systems, Technology & Management
• Marketing
• Organisation and Management
• Strategy and Entrepreneurship

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)
• The 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 local 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 subtest
• 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 Essay rating of 5.0

More details can be found at UNSW English Language Requirement.

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

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), 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 scholarship applicants