Local Applicants: Synopsis of the application procedure

(Links providing more detailed explanations are given below)

Two independent applications must be lodged

Scholarship applications are due by October 31 2007 at the Scholarships Office.

These can be submitted on-line

A single application applies for APA, MRS and other local scholarships

A research proposal must be submitted except for on-line applications

Prior contact with a prospective supervisor is highly recommended

Scholarships are awarded on academic merit.

Scoring is done by the scholarships office:

Normally an applicant for MSc or PhD has completed a 4-year degree: the score

is determined approximately as [(Third-year average)+2(Fourth-year average)]/3

Percentage grades are used, converted from any given format if required

Percentage grades are rescaled according to the ratio of a university's high-distinction cutoff to MU:

(eg if a university awards HD for 85%, all scores will be lowered in the ratio 80/85)

Required Documents Certification of documents is required before submission

Proof of citizenship/residence such as by

an original birth certificate,

birth extract or

passport or citizenship certificate.

Academic transcripts with

numeric marks (eg. 84%) or grades (eg. A) and

a results key (eg A=80-100%, B=70-79%)

[Not required for University of Melbourne students]

100 word research proposal (not required for on-line applications)

Evidence of research experience gained via employment

Referee reports

Admission applications can be lodged at any time with the School of Postgraduate Studies
These can be submitted on-line or by mail. Applicants should provide

Proposed commencement date

Proposed supervisor(s) if known (desirably)

Research proposal title (MSc) and description (PhD)

Details of appropriate qualifications

References

English language proficiency

Required Documents Certification of documents is required before submission

Original or certified copy of either a birth certificate, citizenship certificate or evidence of Australian Permanent Residency status.

Original or certified copies of transcripts for institutions other than the University of Melbourne.

100-word summary of proposed research project.

Original IELTS or TOEFL/TWE certificate (if applicable) to meet English language requirements.

Details of PhD candidature completed (if transferring from another university)

When applying for the MSc by research or PhD degree you should consider the following questions:
- have you thoroughly discussed the research project with your proposed supervisor(s)?
- are you expected to participate in other academic activities within the department?
- have you discussed the respective roles (of supervisor and student) in regards to the research with your proposed supervisor(s)?
- are you satisfied that your supervisor(s) can (and will) devote adequate time to you?
- have you looked into the research background and active research interests of your proposed supervisor(s) sufficiently?
- do you know enough about the research environment of the department in which you wish to work?
- do you know what departmental facilities will be available to you throughout your candidature?
When assessing your application, the head of department and proposed supervisor(s) will be considering the following questions:
- does the student have the necessary prerequisites for admission to candidature?
- does the student appear to have the capacity required to undertake the MSc Research course successfully?
- is the proposed research project appropriate for the MSc Research degree?
- is the department the most appropriate one to undertake the proposed research project?
- is the project feasible in terms of time, facilities, equipment and source material?
- is the research project of direct interest to both the student and proposed supervisor(s)?
- is the proposed supervisor(s) sufficiently expert in the proposed area of research to offer proper supervision?
- is the workload of the supervisor(s) such to allow sufficient time to give proper supervision to the student?
- will alternative supervision be available if the proposed supervisor is absent (eg: study leave, long service leave or illness)?

Thank you for your interest in Postgraduate study in Mathematics and Statistics at The University of Melbourne.

Since applications can be made on-line through an independent web-site, the postgraduate coordinator A/Prof. Aihua XIA would also appreciate learning of your interest directly from you.

The School of Graduate Studies administers all PhDs and Masters in Science and Engineering by research. PhD and Masters of Science and Engineering application forms are available from the front counter at the School of Graduate Studies. We would be happy to send the application form to you upon request.