MRes Year 2 to PhD

Progression to PhD

Have you just submitted your Macquarie Master of Research thesis? Or just received your thesis result? Would you like to progress to PhD?

The information below is specifically for Macquarie University Master of Research candidates completing Year 2, who would like to progress to PhD. If you are not a completing MRes Yr2 candidate, please go to the HDR How to Apply page.

Progression requirements

• Candidates who obtain a final mark of 65%-74% in Year 2 of the Master of Research may be eligible to progress to a Master of Philosophy
• Candidates who obtain a final mark of 75%+ in Year 2 of the Master of Research may be eligible to progress to a Doctor of Philosophy
• Approval for admission will also account for:
  • the quality of your research proposal
  • the availability of supervision
  • the examiners reports of your MRes thesis.

Timeline to progress

Candidates wishing to be considered for admission are encouraged to lodge their EoI Form (see below) within 3 months of submitting their MRes thesis for examination.

If you are undecided about whether or not to progress to a research degree, you have up to a maximum of 8 months from completing your MRes program to lodge an expression of interest (PART A of the Progression Form) to progress to an HDR program.

How to proceed

If you wish to continue to the PhD, please complete and send the Expression of Interest / Progression Form - Part A (EoI) [PDF 307KB] form to gr.candidatesupport@mq.edu.au.

Please include a copy of your research proposal and collate it into one pdf document (so the EoI and your research proposal in one document).

Please use the following format in the subject heading “Your Full Name – SID – MRes Yr2 to PhD EoI”.

What happens after I submit my EoI?

The GRA will liaise with the relevant Department to:

• Review your performance in the Master of Research and assess your suitability for undertaking higher degree research (HDR).
• The Department will assess that your research proposal is acceptable for HDR program admission and that appropriate resources are available for your project (supervision, research facilities, project funds, general infrastructure and support services).
• The Department will make a recommendation to the Graduate Research Academy (GRA). The GRA will review the Department’s recommendation, make a determination and issue the final outcome to the candidate on program admission and scholarship, if applicable.

About study offsite

• The University recognises that some of your research may be undertaken away from the University. However, if you wish to undertake your HDR program while residing away from the University (offsite) (for example, interstate or overseas), you must first seek approval from your Department and complete Request for Offsite Enrolment form [PDF]. The Department must be satisfied that candidates are adequately supervised and have access to resources and facilities to complete their program within the required time frame. The Department will consider the circumstances and make a determination on a case by case basis.
• Onsite candidates wishing to conduct research for a period of time off-campus (for example to visit a library/archive, conduct fieldwork or visit a lab) or attend a conference essential to their research at other locations including overseas are required to complete an application for Offsite Research (OSR). This does not need to be completed now, but when travel preparations are being made after successful admission and enrolment. Note the maximum period of combined offsite research is 12 months.

Scholarships

Scholarships are considered on a competitive basis and are based on academic merit. Scholarships are for full time, onsite study. They typically include 3 years of tuition fee offset, and a three-year stipend (2023 stipend rate is $32,000 p.a. fixed rate).

Part-time scholarship

If you wish to complete your research program on a part time basis, please note that scholarships for part time enrolment will only be granted in exceptional circumstances; normally where a candidate is unable to study full time due to compelling reasons such as evidence of significant carer responsibilities or a medical condition. A case must be presented to the Scholarship Program Manager of the GRA for consideration.

COVID-19 impact

All research activities carried out by MQ staff or students must be approved in accordance with the MQ COVIDSafe Plan. Please consider the MQ COVIDSafe Plan and the associated guidance from Universities Australia on Principles and Protocols for reducing the risk of transmission of COVID-19 at Universities. Please discuss any concerns you may have with your supervisor and department. Further Information for students is also available on the Macquarie COVID-19 page.