Postgraduate Research Programs

Enquiries and Applications | Admission Procedures | International Students | Information and resources

Interested in Further Academic Research?

The Faculty offers research degrees at Masters and Doctoral levels which provide the opportunity for individual academic research and scholarship at an advanced level. Research postgraduate study requires a sustained, innovative analysis of your chosen topic culminating in the production of a thesis. Doctoral and Masters degrees can be undertaken in any of the disciplines within Social Sciences or Humanities or in a number of interdisciplinary fields. In all cases the Faculty provides a comprehensive research training which underpins the success that Arts postgraduate students experience in building careers in academic, business, professional or government sectors.

Supervision is available in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences to support postgraduate students in areas as diverse as History, Creative Writing, Linguistics or Geographical Information Systems. Many postgraduate students hone their skills in social research, policy analysis, demography, or anthropological or environmental fieldwork. Challenging research is undertaken which extends theoretical and practical knowledge in a range of fields including cultural studies, postcolonial theories, philosophy, and labour relations.

If you are considering a research Higher Degree, discuss your plans with the Head or the Postgraduate Coordinator in the relevant Discipline.

Enquiries and Applications

The administration of postgraduate affairs at the University of Adelaide is handled by the Graduate Centre. General enquiries regarding application procedures and admission are best made to the following address:

Graduate Centre
University of Adelaide
Adelaide, South Australia 5005
Australia
Phone: (+61 8) 8303 5882
Fax: (+61 8) 8223 3394

Application and Admission Procedures

The Graduate Studies office receives completed applications by intending candidates. After conducting an initial check of an application to ensure that an applicant meets the minimum requirements of a course, the application will be forwarded to the relevant discipline for a recommendation on admission to postgraduate study. If your application is approved, it may be referred to the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Higher Degrees Committee to consider whether quota restrictions apply. If the application is then accepted by this committee it will be returned to the Registrar of Graduate Studies who will issue the official offer of a place in the course.

International Students

Prospective international students are encouraged to view the following websites in the first instance for general information about opportunities and requirements for postgraduate study at the University of Adelaide, as well as information about the range of degree courses available, application deadlines, accommodation and support services:

http://www.international.adelaide.edu.au/prospective.html

http://www.international.adelaide.edu.au

Further enquiries regarding transcripts, English language proficiency certification, applications, fees and scholarship opportunities should be directed to the Graduate Centre. Successful applicants will be informed by the Graduate Centre, and will be provided with additional information about visas, arrival dates, orientation and residential opportunities.

Inclusion of a degree program on this page does not guarantee that it will be available in any given year.

The University reserves the right to place quotas on courses or programs, and to offer programs of study subject to the availability of staff.

Information and Resources for Current Postgraduate Research Students

Most resources and facilities for postgraduate students in the Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences are provided by your Discipline or School. Your principal supervisor and co-supervisor will assist you in practical and strategic aspects of research and are best able to offer expert guidance for developing networks and professional opportunities in your special field of interest.

The Postgraduate Coordinator in your discipline will supervise a Research Orientation program for new research students in the first six months of your candidature, culminating in the completion of the University's Structured Program , a requirement to confirm your formal candidature.

The Postgraduate Coordinator will provide continuing advice and assistance throughout your candidature relating to your enrolment status, administrative details and other matters of special need or concern. The University's Code of Practice for Maintaining and Monitoring Academic Quality and Standards in Higher Degrees by Research sets forth in detail the roles, expectations and requirements for all participants in the research enterprise.

The Faculty will provide a series of Research Orientation sessions for all new research students in the Faculty. These meetings will introduce you to the collegial research culture and thesis requirements common to the Humanities and Social Sciences. The importance of well-formulated research plan as a foundation for the successful completion of your thesis will be emphasised. Two important documents that will be used in the Faculty Research Orientation sessions are:

Studying People: Guidelines for Students on the Ethical Conduct of Research in the Humanities and Social Sciences

Producing a Thesis: A Style Guide for Higher Degree Students

Postgraduate Status Forms and Guidelines are available from the Graduate Centre web site.