Apply as a q-student

Interested applicants are invited to submit an Expression of Interest (EoI) by 26 February 2021.

If your EoI is of interest, you will be invited to apply via the online application portal, which will be open from 1–28 March 2021 (from 1 March, the application portal will be open on this page).

To apply to the UQIDAR PhD program, you will need to apply for an available project.

Projects are advertised on our website when applications open. You can apply for up to two projects in each application round. You cannot propose your own or apply directly to a school or department.

Each available project includes a project title and description, details of the supervision team, expected student background and other key project information.

Find out the deadlines for when you need to apply and when you can expect to start studying with UQIDAR.

All q-student applicants must meet the following minimum entry requirements to be eligible to apply for the program.

Minimum required qualifications:

• A research master’s degree, or
• A coursework master’s degree with an overall GPA (grade point average) equivalent to 5.65 on the 7-point UQ scale, which includes a relevant research component, or
• A postgraduate degree of at least one year full-time equivalent with an overall GPA equivalent to 5.0 on the 7-point UQ scale, together with demonstrated research experience equivalent to honours IIA (considered on a case-by-case basis), or
• A bachelor’s degree plus at least two years of documented relevant research experience, including research publications, or
• A bachelor’s degree with at least honours class IIA or equivalent from approved universities, which includes a relevant research component.

The applicant’s degree and/or professional experience must demonstrate that the applicant’s knowledge of the discipline in which they plan to undertake their PhD is current. It is therefore expected that an applicant will have completed their tertiary studies and/or any relevant professional experience in the ten years immediately prior to their intended entry to the PhD.

English language proficiency requirements

All applicants are required to meet the Academy’s English language proficiency requirements for consideration for entry into the UQIDAR Joint PhD program.

You must upload the following compulsory supporting documents when you submit your online application:

• academic CV
• award/degree certificates from graduation/convocation
• academic transcript or consolidated mark sheets
• evidence for meeting English language proficiency requirements
• contact details for at least two referees
• other documentation

If any of your documentation is in a language other than English, UQIDAR will require a copy of the original language document and an officially certified and translated copy. Internationally, one of UQ’s approved agents may be able to help you organise document translation and certification.

Scanned documentation should meet the following criteria:

• All pages of the document have been scanned before they are submitted. If the original has information on both sides, ensure you scan back and front. Many academic transcripts have information on the reverse side including grading scales, which we may need to see.
• Scanned documents can be uploaded in the following formats: doc, docx, jpg, png, txt and pdf.
• All pages (back and front) of your academic transcript and your award certificate must be certified.

Academic CV

Your academic CV should include the following headings:

• Personal details
  Include your full name and contact details.
• Educational qualifications and professional affiliations
  Include the full title of the qualification, the institution attended and the year awarded.
• Employment history
  In chronological order, starting with your current position and specifying dates of employment. Include the title of each position, name of employer, main duties or responsibilities, and achievements relevant to your proposed field of research. Make sure you include details of any research-related positions or projects.
• Research publications
  Include articles published or accepted for publication. Mark the three most significant publications with an asterisk. Specify the publication details, your contribution as an author to multi-authored publications, plus the standing of the journal or conference.
• Description of most significant publications
  Include a short description for each of the three asterisked publications (max. 200 words each). Explain their significance in the field and why they have made an important contribution. All publications should use an official referencing style (such as Chicago, APA or Harvard).
• Research grants
  Only include awarded grants.
• Academic referees
  Include the name and contact details (address, telephone and email) of two referees. If possible, include a senior person (preferably your supervisor or the head of organisational unit) closely associated with your current research work.
• Information not required
  Marital status, photographs, driver’s license, hobbies and interests.

Award/Degree certificates from graduation/convocation

For all completed post-secondary study, including the institution logo and date awarded. If you have not received a copy of your certificate at the time of application, please provide an official letter from your institution stating that you have met award requirements.

Academic transcript or consolidated mark sheets

For all post-secondary study undertaken, complete or incomplete, including the institution, program, results for every course studied, grading scale, institution logo and date.

Your academic transcript is an official legal record of all the courses you have completed at your higher education institution.

Evidence for meeting English language proficiency requirements

All applicants have to prove they can meet English language requirements as set out in the UQIDAR Joint PhD Program Guidelines (see page 9). Any test scores have to be valid at your proposed commencement date.

Contact details for at least two referees

From persons who can best comment on your prior research experience. UQ will contact your referees directly, but you will need to enter their details into the application form.

Other documentation

Originals or certified copies may be required depending on your individual circumstances.

Applications will open from 1–28 March 2021. 

From 1 March, the application portal will be open on this page.

Only one application form can be submitted per applicant. Applicants can apply for up to two projects in their application form.  

We are not able to consider applications submitted after the deadline and will only consider complete applications.  

Once applications close, your application will be shortlisted based on your eligibility, background and motivations and aptitude for your nominated project.

• Stage 1: Supervisor shortlisting
  Your application will be sent to supervisors for review. If you are shortlisted for their project, the supervisory team will ask you to participate in a skype or telephone interview with supervisors from both UQ and IITD.
• Stage 2: Committee shortlisting
  The committee will then further shortlist applicants. If you are shortlisted by the committee, you will be asked to submit a formal application via UQ’s online application system. You will then be invited to participate in an interview with the Academy Joint Admissions Sub-committee (AJAS) and undertake a written test, which will include an assessment of your ability to critically assess a research paper.

You can expect to hear the outcome of your application within the application timelines.

If your application is successful, you will receive a formal offer letter. Make sure you read your offer letter carefully for specific information about how to accept your offer. You will need to login to the UQ Online application portal to accept your offer.