Follow your research passion at Griffith
Ready to apply for your research degree? Pursuing a research degree is a transformative journey that offers you the chance to delve deeply into your area of interest and contribute to your field of interest. To ensure a smooth application process and avoid delays, it's essential to have all your application paperwork in order. It is recommended to prepare your document four months before your proposed intake date ensuring you are well-positioned to take the next steps towards joining our vibrant research community.
How to apply
Choose your research degree
Take a look through our degrees and decide which works best for your career aspirations. You can also check the admission requirements for your chosen degree.
Research degrees Download a research study guide
Talk to us
You can find out more about our degrees or talk to us at any time to find out more about studying at Griffith and your options.
- Email: hdr-enquiry@griffith.edu.au
- Telephone: 07 3735 3817 (domestic) or +61 7 3735 3817 (international)
- Ask a question or see our frequently asked questions
Find a research supervisor or project
Depending on your area of study and research, you may be starting at the very beginning with a unique proposal, or you may be able to join an established Griffith research project.
If considering developing your own proposal, first identify a potential supervisor who works in your area of interest.
The Griffith Experts database allows you to search our academic experts conducting research across all major academic disciplines. You’ll be able to review academic profiles, academic backgrounds, previous publications and current projects, to help you find a potential supervisor. Once found, you will need to contact them directly via email to discuss your research proposal.
Griffith also has many established research projects with a lead supervisor. You apply directly to that supervisor by providing an expression of interest to study that project. These are available, particularly in areas of science and health research.
Search for research projects about Research study
Develop your research proposal
Your research question will provide the key research focus for the full duration of your degree, so it is important that you consult a wide variety of resources and select a topic you feel highly motivated to investigate.
Narrow your focus to a single research topic. Once you have connected with your prospective supervisor, it is important that you seek their input and advice on your research proposal. If you are joining an established research project, your prospective supervisor will assist you to prepare your research proposal.
Search our scholarships
Depending on the project you have chosen there could be a scholarship attached to your project or you can search through our range of scholarships to find the support you need. Check the fee requirements for your degree and look for available scholarships to support you throughout your research.
Griffith research scholarships are available to support your research across all disciplines and can cover tuition fees, overseas student health cover, living allowances paid as stipends and relocation allowances.
Applications are considered through a competitive, merit-based selection process, with scholarships awarded throughout the year. If your application is successful, you can commence at the next available intake.
Apply without a scholarship
If you wish to apply for your research degree without a scholarship, you can lodge your application for admission at any time. If your application is approved an offer of admission will be issued for commencement in one of the next two available research intakes (or for the next Trimester for programs that include coursework).
Application closing dates are shown for each program on Degree finder for the next available intake date, with applications normally closing eight weeks prior to the intake to allow time for your application to be processed. If you want to commence in the next available intake you should plan to lodge your application allowing enough time to accept your offer and if needed relocate to Queensland to commence your program.
Gather required documents
Use our application checklist to ensure you have all the necessary documents, including a CV created using the provided CV template. If applicable, details of an industry partner or external organisation’s involvement in the project can be provided by completing the HDR Industry Project Plan. Only to be completed if the duration is at least 60 days full-time or equivalent.
Application checklist CV template
Remote enrolment
Applicants who do not intend to relocate to Australia or Queensland and believe their research project can be conducted predominantly offshore in their home country / or interstate can request remote candidature as part of the application process. If you wish to apply for remote candidature a statement will need to be included in your application addressing the remote enrolment requirements.
Submit your application
Apply online through our application portal. You'll be guided through the step-by-step application process to upload your supporting documentation and nominate your referees and supervisors.
Griffith's online admission website is a safe and secure way to:
- apply online for any research program and/or research scholarship
- save and change your application details as needed before submission
- track your submitted application.
Refer to application key dates. If you are applying for admission only, check the application closing date for your chosen degree. If you are applying for admission and scholarship, check the scholarship application dates.
We can start assessing your application once we have all the necessary documentation.
International applicants
We welcome international applications via registered Griffith agents. A Griffith registered agent is required for offshore applicants from Nigeria.
Pathways
Griffith offers multiple admission pathways to a PhD or other doctoral degrees
Key dates
Commencement intakes
Griffith offers four intake dates a year. If your research program includes coursework, please check the trimester start dates.
2025 intake dates
- Intake 3: 7 July 2025
- Intake 4: 13 October 2025
2026 intake dates
- Intake 1: 23 February 2026
- Intake 2: 27 April 2026
- Intake 3: 6 July 2026
- Intake 4: 12 October 2026
Admission dates
You can submit your application for admission at any time. If approved, you will receive an offer for one of the next two research intakes or the next Trimester for coursework programs.
Application closing dates for each program are listed on Degree Finder, typically eight weeks before the intake. To start in the next intake, apply early enough to accept your offer and, if necessary, relocate to Queensland.
Scholarship Dates
Applications for the merit-based, GUPRS and RTP , as well as First Peoples and Disabled scholars scholarships for commencement in 2026, open on 7 July 2025.
Intake 1 2026
If you wish to apply for a scholarship to commence in intake 1 of 2026, you will need to lodge your application by:
- International - 11:59 PM (AEST) Tuesday 26 August 2025.
- Domestic - 11:59 PM (AEST) Tuesday 2 September 2025.
You can also apply for a project-specific scholarship and submit your expression of interest by the advertised due date. International applicants who have a sponsorship to support their living expenses can apply for a packaged tuition scholarship at any time.
After you apply
Your online application will be reviewed by our team of academic staff once all required documentation has been received, including at least one referee report from your academic referees.
If you applied online, you can log in to track the status of your application.
We’ll let you know by email of the outcome. If you are applying for admission, the average assessment period to receive an outcome is six to eight weeks.
If you are applying for admission and scholarship, the average assessment period to receive an outcome is three to four months.
Intake 1 2025 Scholarship Outcomes
If you have applied for a scholarship for intake 1 2025 please be aware of the following dates:
From 18 November 2024: Offer letters sent to successful applicants
10 January 2025: Last date to return acceptance of offer
31 January 2025: Last date to provide evidence of qualification completion (applicants in their final trimester of study at an Australian Institution)
Remote enrolment
If you do not live within regular commuting distance to a Griffith University campus and do not intend to relocate to Brisbane/Gold Coast to undertake your program, you can request remote enrolment. Several factors need consideration to determine if your research project can be conducted remotely. You will need to provide a statement with your application that addresses the following:
- The resources and facilities available at the location to support the research program (for example laboratory space, library facilities, and computer access)
- A schedule of contact indicating the frequency and medium of communication between the candidate and supervisors
- A program of visits to the University, as required to undertake your research project
- Details of a qualified person at the location who has agreed to act as a local associate supervisor, where appropriate
