How to apply

Closing dates
Applications for Semester 1, 2009 open mid September 2008.

FRIDAY 31 OCTOBER 2008 - Local applicants for research candidature who are also applying for a scholarship must apply by this date. Local coursework applicants may also apply by this date. Applications received by 31 October will be sent to academic staff for assessment the following week and letters of offer will be sent to successful applicants by the end of November, when scholarship application rankings take place.

We will accept applications for admission to research candidature which do not involve a scholarship application until mid February 2009.

*Local research applicants also applying for an Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) or other scholarships must apply by 31 October 2008. Please submit an application for admission to the Faculty, and a separate application for a scholarship to the University’s Research Office. Detailed information and the APA application can be downloaded from the Research Office web site: http://www.usyd.edu.au/ro/

Local applicants (Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, citizens of New Zealand, and holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) interested in postgraduate research in the Faculty of Arts should contact the faculty office with enquiries regarding admission. All applications are submitted directly to the Faculty of Arts.

International applicants should visit here. International applications must close FRIDAY 31 OCTOBER to allow time for assessment and the issue of firm offers to successful applicants who must then apply for a valid student visa at the Australian diplomatic mission in their home country. Please be aware that applying for a visa may take up to 8 weeks in some countries. We regret that we cannot accept late applications.

If you are a local applicant, please contact the Faculty of Arts office then to request an application pack or further information:

Faculty of Arts office
Main Quadrangle A14
The University of Sydney
NSW 2006
Telephone: +61 2 9351 3240
Fax: +61 2 9351 2045
Email:

The Faculty office is located next to the MacLaurin Hall stairwell in the Main Quadrangle (view map), and is open for student enquiries at the counter Monday – Friday 10:00am – 4:00pm. Please provide your full postal address and a daytime contact telephone number when leaving messages or placing email requests for information.

All research applicants must submit:

• a complete application form
• an original, official transcript of your academic record. Graduates of The University of Sydney need not attach an academic transcript of their local enrolment. Please note that transcripts will not be returned unless you provide a stamped, self-addressed envelope
• a research proposal of approximately 1,000 words; applicants should consult the postgraduate coordinator in the appropriate department with regard to the research proposal because departments may specify varying requirements.
• local applicants: proof of Australian citizenship or permanent residency status (i.e., birth certificate or passport)

Please review the cover page of the application for documents that we require in order to assess your application.

Incomplete applications will not be assessed.

All research applicants must submit a research proposal with their application form. The University of Sydney's Learning Centre provides valuable advice and assistance, producing a detailed document on Writing a Thesis Proposal (pdf format). You should also talk to the department's postgraduate research student coordinator - some departments have specific requirements.

Offers of admission to Semester 1, 2009 will be sent to successful applicants in November. If you receive an offer, you must advise the Faculty of Arts office in writing, by the date specified in your offer letter, of your intention to accept the place.

It is not possible to defer acceptance or commencement to a later semester or year. If you are unable to commence in the semester you have been made an offer, you must reapply for admission for a following semester/year on the official University application form.

All new and continuing postgraduate research students must enrol at the Faculty of Arts office (see map). Please bring your offer letter with you.

Refer to the enrolment webpage for further information.