Prepare your documents
The following documents must be provided when submitting an online application:
- Research Proposal
- Resume/CV
- Proof of Citizenship
- Academic Transcripts/records
- Evidence of English proficiency
Depending on whether you are a domestic or international student and which faculty you apply to, additional documents may be required. Detailed requirements for each document can be found below. By submitting an application, you also certify that your nominated supervisor has agreed to support your application.
Applications which are late, incomplete, without certified documentation or do not meet English language requirements will not be assessed, and the application will be withdrawn.
Who does this apply to?
The requirements below applies to all domestic and international students, including:
- Master’s and PhD students
- Collaborative Doctoral Research Degree program (joint/dual degree and cotutelle) students
- Industry doctoral students
- Visiting research students
Document Certification and Translation
We will only accept documents where:
- A copy of the document has been by an authorised person as true and authentic (see UTS Certification Guidelines);
- The certified copy has been scanned in high-resolution and colour;
- The scan is uploaded into the online application system at the time of application.
Required documents
Applications which are late, incomplete, without certified documentation or do not meet English language requirements will not be assessed, and the application will be withdrawn.
Evidence of an approved EOI (if applicable)
Some faculties have an EOI process. If you have been invited by your faculty to apply, please attach evidence (email) that your EOI application has been approved.
Evidence of agreed supervision
Provide evidence that your potential supervisor has agreed to supervise you. Evidence can be attached to your other documentation (eg. along with your research proposal).
Research proposal
Your research proposal should be written in consultation with your prospective supervisor. We recommend you follow the research proposal guide.
Current resume/CV
Upload your current CV by using the UTS CV template. Please follow the exact structure provided in the template and provide all the required details, which will be used for assessing your application. Under “Research experience and research capability”, you may include details about any previous research projects that you have worked on.
Proof of Citizenship - certification required
Include a copy of the bio page (with your photo) in your passport, or your certificate of citizenship. International students already onshore should provide a copy of their current visa. If you are applying for Australian Permanent Residency (PR) and your PR has not been approved yet, you need to apply as an international student.
If you are an Australian citizen who currently does not have an Australian passport, an Australian birth certificate is acceptable.
Evidence of English proficiency - certification required
Please refer to the UTS English language requirements for various options to provide evidence of English proficiency. This requirement applies to all students. We are unable to assess applications without evidence of English proficiency.
Note: Mode of Instruction (MoI) option is not available for qualifications from India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan, applicants will need to provide evidence of IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, C1A/C2P or UTS College Academic English; or MoI from an approved country, instead.
Academic transcripts and testamur - certification required
You must provide transcripts, testamurs and grading explanation for all tertiary degrees attempted, current or completed, excluding high school (secondary school) documents. Transcripts need to include both list of units/subjects and their grades for each course.
Note: If the transcripts lists any subject titled 'graduation/final project', or 'graduation/final thesis' without listing credit points/hours, or if the award certificate mentions you have successfully defended a dissertation but it is not mentioned in your transcripts, you will need to provide an official statement issued by your university's registrar/administration office advising the duration of subject/dissertation.
Where a testamur is not yet available, an official Statement of Completion may be provided instead.
Evidence of name change (if applicable) - certification required
If there are discrepancies between the names used in your official and academic documentation, you will need to provide official evidence of you name change, including the effective date.
Evidence of external sponsorship (if applicable)
If you are a sponsored student, you should provide evidence of external sponsorship.
Additional documentation for:
Australian domestic students
Two academic referee reports
Please give your application details to two referees and ask them both to complete the online Academic Referee Report at https://forms.uts.edu.au/index.cfm?FormId=981 (make sure you copy and send them this exact URL). Their completed reports will then be submitted to the Graduate Research School, and notification of successful submission will be given to both you and your referees. Please note that the referee reports are confidential, and that UTS will not release them to applicants.
Confirmation of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent
Students applying for Jumbunna Postgraduate Research Scholarship or Sir Gerard Brennan Scholarship (Law) to provide:
- A Confirmation of Identity document provided by an incorporated Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander organisation containing their seal.
- If this this document is not an option for the candidate, they may complete and submit the attached statutory accompanied by 2 letters from Indigenous community members confirming their knowledge of the person as well as their Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait identity.
Find out more about confirmation of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent via the Australian Institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies website. For further questions, please contact the Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research.
International students
Statement of employment
Include employment statements from current and all previous employers to substantiate the professional experience you have outlined in your CV.
Permission from home university for international visiting or Collaborative Doctoral Research Degree program applicants
You will be asked to tick a box on the online application form confirming that you have received permission to study at UTS, and upload the home university’s approval for you to pursue the collaborative degree with UTS.
Collaborative Degree students
Collabative Degree applicants will also need to provide the following documents:
- An enrolment letter from your home university indicating your doctoral program start date and expected completion date.
- Approval from your home university for you to pursue the Collaborative Doctoral Research Degree program with UTS.
- Evidence that you have established a supervision arrangement with a UTS academic (please use our Find a Supervisor tool to get started).
- A research proposal with a timeline that includes a minimum 12-month stay at UTS. The timeline should also include a clear indication of milestones to be achieved at each institution, leading up to completion at both universities.
- The name of your current supervisor, the department/faculty they belong to, and his/her contact email address.
Please make sure you indicate on your application that you are applying for the Collaborative Doctoral Research Degree Program so it can be processed as quickly as possible. The UTS Graduate Research School will advise the outcome by email.
Distance mode students
Distance mode students will need to submit an Expression of Interest form, completed alongside the supervisor, with their application. Please contact the Graduate Research School to request a copy.
Industry Doctorate Program students
IDP applicants will need to sign an IDP Agreement alongside UTS and the Industry Partner. Please contact the Graduate Research School for advice on facilitating the IDP process.
