University of Sydney (USYD) Courses

This course is an alternative entry program.

(1) Admission to this course is only open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, who meet the process outlined in the Confirmation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Identity Policy 2015.

(2) Admission to this course will be on demonstrated potential for tertiary study to a standard sufficient to undertake the course as demonstrated in:

• a numeracy and literacy diagnostic test;
• a structured interview;
• evidence of a secondary school leaving qualification such as the NSW Higher School Certificate (including national and international equivalents) or Record of Student Achievement (RoSA), tertiary study or an approved preparation program; English language requirements must be met where these are not demonstrated by sufficient qualifications taught in English;
• a portfolio of written work or support material including a personal statement of intent for studying the course.

To apply for a PhD, you need to demonstrate sufficient prior research experience and capability. In most cases, you will have either:

• a bachelor's degree with first or upper second class honours or
• a master's degree performed at a high academic standard, and which includes a substantial component of research
• an equivalent qualification that demonstrates research experience, excellence and capability.

These are the minimum requirements for eligibility but they do not guarantee admission. That remains at the discretion of the Associate Dean (Research Education) for the faculty.

Please refer to the University of Sydney (Higher Degree by Research) Rule 2011 for full policy details.

Transfer from University of Sydney Master of Philosophy

Outstanding candidates who successfully complete one year full-time or equivalent part-time of the University of Sydney Master of Philosophy degree may apply for transfer into the Doctor of Philosophy and be granted credit for work already completed pending:

• approval from the supervisor and school
• meeting all higher degree by research progression requirements
• providing evidence that their research is of a sufficient scope and depth to sustain a doctoral thesis.

For more information about the University's credit policy, please see the Credit for Previous Studies page.

Your admission to a unit or units of study at the University of Sydney is subject to approval, which may include the fulfilment of prerequisites in previous study or your professional experience, and availability.

The academic requirements that are displayed are applicable to currently available courses only, and are updated annually in October and may be changed without notice. The Handbooks Online and the University of Sydney Calendar are the official legal source of information relating to study at the University of Sydney, and you are referred to those documents.

To assist students to make informed choices about their study, we have identified and set out the Inherent Requirements for coursework award courses.

For more information about the University's credit policy, please see the Credit for Previous Studies page.

Your admission to a unit or units of study at the University of Sydney is subject to approval, which may include the fulfilment of prerequisites in previous study or your professional experience, and availability.

The academic requirements that are displayed are applicable to currently available courses only, and are updated annually in October and may be changed without notice. The Handbooks Online and the University of Sydney Calendar are the official legal source of information relating to study at the University of Sydney, and you are referred to those documents.

To assist students to make informed choices about their study, we have identified and set out the Inherent Requirements for coursework award courses.

For more information about the University's credit policy, please see the Credit for Previous Studies page.

To be eligible for admission to the Master of Philosophy (Arts and Social Sciences) you must have completed the equivalent of one of the following in a subject area related to your proposed research area:

• a bachelor's degree with first class or second class honours master's degree by research; or
• a master's degree by coursework with an independent research component such as a thesis, dissertation or research project with a minimum overall pass average of 75% or above.

These constitute the minimum requirements for eligibility and do not guarantee admission. This remains at the discretion of the relevant supervisors and departments. The University must certify that there are sufficient supervisory and other resources and facilities available to enable your candidature to be completed successfully.