Preamble

We only accept PhD-students who we are awarding a scholarship or whose studies at ANU will be funded by a scholarship from other sources. We award 3-year PhD scholarships that can be extended by half a year. Scholarships from other sources should be comparable in length of funding. By applying to pursue a PhD in the School of Philosophy, RSSS, you can also apply for one of our scholarships. Tick the relevant boxes on your online application. Most of the students that we accept have a MA degree. Having a MA degree is however not a requirement to be accepted.

Application deadlines

Applicants who are Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens, permanent residents of Australia, or hold an Australian Humanitarian Visa: October 31 of each year for studies commencing anytime between January and March of the following year. You can choose when between January and March you would like to begin your studies at ANU.

All other international applicants: August 31 of each year for studies commencing anytime between January and March of the following year. You can choose when between January and March you would like to begin your studies at ANU.

STEP 1: Find a prospective supervisor

In order to apply you will need a prospective supervisor from one of the continuing members of the School of Philosophy, RSSS. The continuing members are Christian Barry, David Chalmers, Carleton (Bruin) Christensen, Brian Garrett, Robert Goodin, Alan Hajek, Frank Jackson, Fiona Jenkins, Daniel Nolan, Thomas Pogge, Daniel Stoljar, Jeremy Shearmur, Kim Sterelny, and Nic Southwood. Contact prospective supervisors with a one page research proposal. You will be able to change your supervisor at any time during the dissertation-writing process.

STEP 2: Submit your application to the Graduate Convener and to the ANU

If your prospective supervisor decides that your project is viable, you should submit your application both to the Graduate Convener by email attachment and to the ANU administration online. After you have completed your online application, you will receive a pdf file of your application from the ANU administration. This pdf file is what you should submit to the Graduate Convenor by email attachment.

Your application will need to include:

1. Research proposal (double-spaced, 12 point font, no more than 1 page).
2. Writing sample (double-spaced, 12 point font, no more than 20 pages).
3. Curriculum vitae.
4. Academic transcripts. If applicable, include certified English translations of transcripts.
5. If applicable, English language test results (e.g. TOEFL, IELTS). All students who do not have a degree from an English speaking college or university must submit English language test results.
6. If applicable, evidence of permanent residency status in Australia.
7. 3 letters of reference. (These should be sent to the University under separate cover. The referee report form is at the back of the application form.)

Information regarding the online application and scholarships:

• Please note that in the 'search for programs and awards' box you will need to choose 'award type'. Choose 'Doctor of Philosophy' but leave other criteria fields empty or 'all'.
• The screen following that will ask you to choose the local area in which you will be studying. Choose '9520XPHD; Doctor of Philosophy, Research School of Social Sciences'.
• On the first page of the online application, under 'Graduate Studies Field' enter 'Philosophy Program, RSSS'. Under 'Expected Commencement Year and Session' enter 'Sem 1' and the year immediately following the year you are applying in; i.e. if you are applying in October 2010, enter 'Sem 1 2011'. Enter 'January', 'February' or 'March' depending on when you are planning to commence your studies at the ANU, if your application is successful. Your scholarship funding will start once you have arrived.
• In the application, you will need to choose which scholarships you wish to apply for.

Applicants who are Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens, permanent residents of Australia. Tick: ANU Graduate Research Scholarship; Australian Postgraduate Award; ANU PhD Scholarship. If you qualify, you can apply for the Indigenous Australian Graduate Scholarship and/or the Re-Entry Scholarship. Under 'Other Scholarship/s' enter 'ANU University Research Scholarship'.

All other international applicants. Tick: ANU PhD Scholarship; Endeavour International Postgraduate Research Scholarship. Under 'Other Scholarship/s' enter 'ANU University Research Scholarship'.

Information on scholarships.

STEP 3: Accepting your offer

If you are successful in your application you will receive an offer to pursue your PhD in the School of Philosophy, RSSS, ANU. For advice on how to accept this offer, see the University's official guide. For information on funding, fees, admissions and enrolments, visit Student Administrative Services.

Contact:

The information on this page concerns prospective PhD students only. For further information on the PhD program and the MA in Philosophy, please contact the HDR Convenor, Nicholas Southwood. Please refer any questions about admission to our PhD program that are not answered on this page to Student Administration Services.