Postgraduate research degrees
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Overview
In postgraduate research courses, students undertake a supervised research project leading to the production of a thesis.
Postgraduate research degrees appeal to different people for different reasons. You may want to:
- investigate and explore in depth a specialised area of interest;
- demonstrate your capability to apply sustained effort and intellectual rigor to a complex problem;
- differentiate yourself from the masses and receive professional parity with clinical peers;
- advance your career – a postgraduate research degree can help progress your career and obtain roles in government and industrial research and developmental organisations.
Students of the BMRI can enrol in postgraduate research degrees available across a variety of Faculties such as Science, Health Science, Medicine and Nursing.
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is a thesis-based research degree that allows students to explore an area of research interest in depth. It takes a minimum of three years' full-time or six years' part-time study to complete.
The Master of Philosophy (MPhil) is a one-year full-time or two-year part-time research degree that combines a research project with some coursework. It is generally taken by people who already have a research project in mind - with a defined topic, study population and research method - and are looking to provide an academic context for their project.
Contact our Student and Academic Coordinator who can talk to you about the options available and your next steps.
Steps to become a postgraduate research student
Step 1. Choose a project
Browse the BMRI's research pages and peruse the PhD projects available (page loads slowly).
Once you have identified an area of interest, contact the Laboratory Director or Postgraduate Program Manager and arrange for a visit to the BMRI to discuss with them and other members of their group the possibility of studying at the BMRI.
Step 2. Seek approval
Discuss the project details with your potential supervisor and provide them with an updated copy of your resume.
Step 3. Apply for a scholarship
Write a project proposal for scholarship applications and enrolment at the University of Sydney, or other funding body.
Step 4. Enrol at the University of Sydney
Submit an enrollment application to The University of Sydney for a either the MPhil or PhD program. Include a copy of your academic transcript and project proposal with your application.
Step 5. Start
Submit a copy of your Letter of Enrolment from the University and Offer of Scholarship (if applicable) from the granting body to the Postgraduate Program Manager. Arrange a start date with your supervisor. Begin your research program.
PhD students are required by the University to complete:
- Annual progress reports
In addition, students are expected to participate in research meetings at the BMRI throughout their candidature. These include:
- Regular Friday research meeting
- BMRI in-house seminars and symposia.
Students are required to present their work in a 1 hour Final Seminar at the completion of their research degree, prior to the submission of their thesis for assessment. This will be organised by the student and their supervisor.