Research scholarship support
CDU is committed to fostering the best and brightest researchers. We have a range of scholarship options to support our future research students.
Research scholarships for international and domestic applicants are awarded annually on a competitive basis.
Scholarships of up to AU$32,192 (2024 rate) per annum tax-free for full-time students are available and can cover living allowance. Scholarships can also cover tuition fees and relocation allowance.
Application for domestic student research scholarships close 31 October. International applications are now closed.
Find a supervisor
- Identifying a supervisor and a project is a crucial step before applying for admission into a research degree at CDU
- As part of the application process, you must provide written confirmation from a CDU supervisor that they are willing to supervise your proposed project
Find a research project
Science and Technology
Explore research projects at the Faculty of Science and Technology.
Explore projects
Research web portal
Our research portfolio has real-world impact, within and beyond our unique location in Northern Australia.
The CDU Research Web portal provides access to CDU's Research Projects and Researchers.
ExploreHow to apply
- Domestic
- If you have questions about studying a Higher Degree by Research, would like to discuss your options or check your eligibility, we are here to help.
Higher Degree by Research Team
research.degrees@cdu.edu.au
- If you have questions about studying a Higher Degree by Research, would like to discuss your options or check your eligibility, we are here to help.
- International
- If you have questions about studying a Higher Degree by Research, would like to discuss your options or check your eligibility, we are here to help.
CDU Global: international@cdu.edu.au - Visit the International website for a list of the application documents.
- If you have questions about studying a Higher Degree by Research, would like to discuss your options or check your eligibility, we are here to help.
Your research questions answered
What is the cost of a research degree?
Domestic students
Domestic candidates incur no fees if they complete their degree within the allocated time. Candidates may also be eligible to receive a living allowance, often worth about $28 700, while they complete the research project. Learn more about domestic scholarships.
International students
International candidates often pay fees to undertake a research degree at CDU. However, if their record is especially strong, they might receive a fee waiver or even an additional living allowance, often worth about $28 700, while they complete the research project. Learn more about international scholarships.
Am I eligible?
To be eligible for a Masters by Research, you must have completed:
- the equivalent of half a semester of research activity at a postgraduate level
- comparable levels of research, such as scholarly publications.
To be eligible for a Doctor of Philosophy, you must have completed:
- the equivalent of one semester of research activity, such as a thesis, at a Masters level
- the equivalent of one semester of research activity at an Honours or Graduate Diploma level and achieved a distinction or higher overall
- comparable levels of research, such as scholarly publications.
What is the difference between a PhD and MRes at Charles Darwin University?
The main difference between a PhD and MRes is the duration of the study, length of the thesis, and level of originality.
|
|
Doctor of Philosophy |
Master by Research |
|---|---|---|
|
Minimum duration |
Two years full-time or four years part-time |
One year full-time or two years part-time |
|
Maximum duration |
Four years full-time or eight years part-time, from your start date |
Two years full-time or four years part-time, from your start date |
|
Thesis length |
Maximum of 100,000 words |
Maximum of 50,000 words |
|
Time commitment |
40 hours per week for a full-time student 20 hours per week for a part-time student |
40 hours per week for a full-time student 20 hours per week for a part-time student |
How does a research degree work?
HDR students plan and execute an original research project under the mentorship of their supervisory panel, culminating in a body of work (often a thesis) that demonstrates either substantial supervised research or scholarship (for a Masters by Research) or substantial supervised research or scholarship that leads to an original contribution to knowledge (PhD).
Contact us
If you have questions about studying a Higher Degree by Research, would like to discuss your options or check your eligibility, we are here to help.
Higher Degree by Research Team
research.degrees@cdu.edu.au
Research success
-
How to finish a PhD quickly
Read moreThe idea of committing a chunk of your life to research can be both exciting and daunting, but there are ways to make sure your timelines don’t blow out and your motivation doesn’t run out. CDU’s Dean of Graduate Studies, Professor Tara Brabazon, offers her top 10 tips for submitting your thesis quickly.
-
Life in plastic, it's (not so) fantastic
Read moreWe are currently facing a plastic pollution crisis that impacts the health of humans, wildlife, marine and terrestrial environments, and even Earth’s climate system. Caleb Ojo, a Higher Degree by Research student at CDU, is trying to solve one of the plastic waste problems plaguing our beautiful planet.
-
Seeking answers to low numbers of First Nations women in mining
Read moreCDU Researcher PhD candidate Jodi Cowdery investigates the low number of First Nations women working in the Northern Territory mining industry. The mining industry has long been populated by non-First Nations men from outside of the nearby communities.
