Entry is based on a master's qualification with a 25% research component or equivalent, a bachelor qualification with second-class honours or an AQF Level 8 or AQF Level 9 qualification with relevant research preparation.

To be eligible to apply for this course you must meet one of the following entry requirements:

You have completed a Master qualification (AQF Level 9 or overseas equivalent) with a minimum research component of 25%.
You have completed a Bachelor Honours qualification (AQF Level 8) with a minimum result of upper second class honours or equivalent.
You have completed an AQF Level 8 or 9 qualification (or overseas equivalent) and you have had adequate research preparation since graduation.*
You have previously undertaken work of sufficiently high standard towards a higher degree by research (AQF Level 9 or 10, or overseas equivalent) at UNE which you have not submitted for any qualification, and you can produce documented evidence of capacity to undertake work at the Doctor of Philosophy level.
Eligibility for admission is reviewed by the Associate Dean Research or delegate. The Director Graduate Research has final authority for approved admission to HDR courses.

Some courses require you to provide documentary evidence, or interviews to support your application. The following documents are required to support your application:

Previous qualifications documentation. You must provide a certified/notarised copy of your official transcript(s) and certificate(s) for all previous secondary and tertiary study. You do not need to provide transcripts for any previous study completed at UNE. For information on getting your documents certified/notarised, please refer to our Document Certification Guidelines.
Evidence of supervision. You must provide evidence that at least one UNE academic staff member has agreed to support your application/supervise your research. For example, email communication with your proposed supervisor.
Research proposal. You must submit a research proposal which you will complete in consultation with your potential supervisor. Your proposal must not be longer than three A4 pages. Please refer to the HDR Application Guidelines for the suggested format.
Referee reports. You must nominate two people (preferably external to UNE) who can testify to your academic achievements. You will need to contact your referees prior to lodging your application and request that they complete the online HDR Referee Report form. UNE cannot request these reports on your behalf.
Proof of identity and citizenship. All documents provided must be a certified/notarised copy. Australian citizens must provide a birth certificate, passport or citizenship certificate. New Zealand citizens must provide a passport and visa. Australian Permanent Residents must provide a passport and visa, and the date you became a permanent resident. International applicants must provide a passport, and evidence of the country you hold citizenship in, for example, a foreign government identity card.
Evidence of English Language Requirements satisfied. If you have completed a UNE-approved English test within the past two years, please provide a copy of the test results with your application.

An IELTS(Academic) overall score of at least 6.5 with no sub-band score less than 6.0 (or equivalent TOEFL score of at least 91 in the internet-based test with no less than 22 in the written component and 20 in listening, speaking and reading)