Graduate research
Pursue a career in research or academia and delve deeper into your area of interest through a Doctor of Philosophy or a Master of Philosophy in Science or Agriculture.
Our Graduate research degrees
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Master of Philosophy (Science)
Join one of our world-renowned research groups, work with state-of-the-art equipment, and soak up all the professional development opportunities and international connections that come with studying at Australia's leading university.
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Master of Philosophy (Agricultural Sciences)
Designed to help develop advanced skills in carrying out independent and sustained research, this course is a step towards a research career in many areas of science.
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Doctor of Philosophy (Science)
A PhD is an essential qualification for a research career in many areas. Many of our graduates go on to work as postdoctoral research scientists and careers in research and teaching in academia or move into industry.
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Doctor of Philosophy (Agricultural Sciences)
Demonstrate academic leadership, increasing independence, creativity and innovation in your work by making a significant and unique contribution to your area of research.
Case study: Dr Kylie Soanes, PhD
Wildlife ecologist and conservation biologist
Kylie's PhD research assessed the benefit of building road-crossing structures to improve the connectivity of tree-based mammal populations. She is now a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Melbourne in the Clean Air and Urban Landscapes Hub and the Threatened Species Recovery Hub.
"I believe that human-caused biodiversity loss is unnecessary and unacceptable. I believe we can do better. And I believe science can help us do that."
Getting started in graduate research
Throughout your PhD, you'll be guided by a supervisor who is an expert in their field – so the first thing you need to do is find a researcher, group or project to work with. There are two great ways to find your passion and a supervisor or group to help you reach it:
Option 1: Browse our research groups
Our school is home to many world-renowned experts carrying out groundbreaking research in a broad range of fields. Once you've found something you're excited about, follow the links to a potential supervisor's Find an Expert profile and send them a message.
Option 2: Explore our research opportunities
Explore the supervisors and research projects that are currently available for PhD, Masters and Honours students. Once you've found something you're excited about, follow the links to a potential supervisor's Find an Expert profile and send them a message.
What do I say to a prospective supervisor?
You need the written support of a supervisor before submitting an application to the University. Once you've found a prospective supervisor, contact them with the following documents and information:
- Your curriculum vitae (CV)
- All higher education transcripts
- A brief summary of your intended area of research
- The names of at least two prospective supervisors in their team that align with your intended area of research.
They will consider your past academic performance and whether there is someone in their team available to supervise your study.
Scholarships and fees
Most domestic and international students who are offered a PhD place with us will also be offered a Graduate Research Scholarship. Receiving this scholarship means you’ll pay no tuition fees, and you’ll also receive a living allowance and relocation grant (if relocating to Melbourne).
When you apply for a PhD with us, you’ll be automatically considered for a Graduate Research Scholarship. There’s no need to apply separately.
A huge variety of other scholarships are also available. Search our scholarships to find the ones you’re eligible for.
Need advice or help getting started?
Before getting in touch, please read this page and Doctor of Philosophy (Science) carefully. If you still have questions, email the Graduate Research team