Application Procedures

Applicants for a research higher degree should consult the head of the relevant school before lodging a formal application. The Head of School (or the school’s Postgraduate Liaison Officer) will be able to provide details of the school’s research activities including staff interests and expertise. The School's Web Page or the University list of research topics may be another useful source of information. The application for candidature, an outline of the proposed field of study and the location of the research must be acceptable to the Head of School. It is also essential that qualified members of the academic staff be willing to act as Supervisors.

An applicant for admission as a part-time candidate must satisfy the Head of School and Supervisor that he/she is able to devote adequate time to their planned research higher degree and to maintain regular contact with their Supervisors and school.

Prospective candidates for a research higher degree must lodge an application for admission on the appropriate form through the Graduate Research School on the Townsville Campus (telephone 07 47 815861)

A description of the thesis topic and a research proposal need to be submitted with the application. This proposal should be approximately 2 pages in length and should be sufficiently specific to enable a judgement to be made by the Head of School and prospective Supervisor(s) about:

  1. 1.

    the suitability of the applicant’s background; and

  2. 2.

    the appropriateness of the proposed topic to the research expertise and resources available within the School.

Completed certified academic transcripts and official certification of degrees and diplomas awarded must be attached with the application, unless qualifications are from James Cook University. Two academic referees should be asked to submit comment on the applicant’s suitability to undertake the studies. Their reports should be sent directly to the Graduate Research School.