Entry Requirements

Doctor of Philosophy

Admission to the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program is normally granted on the basis of a Bachelors degree with Honours Class I or IIA or a Research Masters degree. Other qualifications may be considered for entry, provided the relevant Head of School certifies that they are at least equivalent in standard to Honours Class IIA of this University. For example, a graduate of at least two years standing with research experience and publications could be considered. Provision is also made for entry on the basis of a completed Coursework Masters degree, provided the applicant has demonstrated an appropriate performance in the research component of the degree and obtained a grade point average of at least credit level or its equivalent elsewhere.

Professional Doctorate

Admission to a Professional Doctorate normally requires at least five years of professional experience in addition to academic qualifications and research experience similar to those required for admission to a PhD. See the relevant postgraduate section of the JCU Course & Subject Handbook for details.

Research Masters

Admission to a Masters by Research program is normally granted on the basis of a Bachelors degree with Honours Class I or II or a Graduate Diploma of Research Methods (graduates with a three year Bachelors degree) or Graduate Certificate of Research Methods (graduates with a four year Bachelors degree). It is desirable that a grade point average of at least credit level be obtained in the research component of a research methods course. Other qualifications may be considered for entry, provided the relevant Head of School certifies that they are at least equivalent to the standard entry criteria. See the relevant postgraduate section of the JCU Course & Subject Handbook for details.

English Proficiency

All applicants for admission as Doctoral or Research Masters candidates are expected to have reached an appropriate level of proficiency in English. Unless English is the first language, students must demonstrate English proficiency either through a TOEFL test with a computer-based score of at least 230 and an essay rating of 4.5, or an IELTS score of at least 6.5 with no component lower than 6.