About ANU
The Australian National University (ANU) is unlike any other university in Australia. Founded in 1946, in a spirit of post-war optimism, our role was to help realise Australia’s potential as the world recovered from a global crisis.
That vision, to support the development of national unity and identity, improve our understanding of ourselves and our neighbours, and provide our nation with research capacity amongst the best in the world, and education in areas vital for our future, has been our mission ever since.
It can be difficult work, but it’s work we proudly do-because connecting talented people with diverse perspectives, equipping and encouraging them to address the most complex of tomorrow’s problems, and ensuring Australia’s future is not just our approach-it’s also our national role and international responsibility as Australia’s national university, and it’s a responsibility from which we’ll never waver.
Applying to study a postgraduate research degree at The Australian National University:
Studying for an advanced, research-focused degree – Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or Master of Philosophy (MPhil) – at the Australian National University (ANU) is your opportunity to make a substantial and original contribution to your discipline or area of professional practice.
Why ANU
Imagine doing research that contributes to a better tomorrow. ANU offers you the time and resources you’ll need to help change conversations and influence government policy.
- Work independently
- Study under the guidance of international experts in their fields
- Engage in critical reflection
- Mentor with industry and government
- Collaborate with researchers from around the world.
*Excellence in Research for Australia report 2018-19
Applying to ANU
Applications to study a higher degree research program at ANU in Semester 1, 2023 close on 31 October 2022.
If you are not ready just yet, you can apply at any time of the year – but if you would like to be considered for a scholarship, you will need to send your application within the scholarship’s application deadline.
Scholarship applicants
Your referees should send their reports before your scholarship’s deadline. Give them as much time as possible by completing your ANU application 2–3 weeks earlier than the scholarship’s deadline. We’ll contact your referees when we get your application.
Research focus areas
Our researchers work in a range of discipline areas rated above world-standard. *
ANU researchers are currently exploring a range of disciplines and study areas.
Application requirements
Your application to study at ANU must meet the following requirements.
1. Minimum admission requirements [show details]
2. English language requirements [show details]
3. Research proposal [show details]
4. Referees [show details]
5. Supporting documentation [show details]
6. Incomplete qualifications [show details]
Before you apply
Find a potential supervisor and explore our colleges’ research opportunities. Some colleges have different application requirements – so make sure you’re aware of and follow these before you apply.
Find a supervisor [show details]
ANU college research opportunities [show details]
Explore college application requirements [show details]
How to apply
If you have the approval of a college and a potential supervisor, you can apply for admission to ANU. Without this endorsement, though, we might not be able to assess your application.
Application steps
- Choose the program you want to study from the Program & Courses catalogue
- On the program’s page, click ‘apply’ to open the application portal
- Complete your application
You can apply for one research program and choose for us to consider you for the corresponding MPhil program if you do not meet the academic requirements of the program in your application.
Applications deadline on 31 October 2022.
Receiving an offer from ANU
After we assess your application, we will contact you via email about the outcome within 6–8 weeks (about 2 months). This could take longer if we’re also considering you for a scholarship. If you do not hear from ANU within two months, contact your research school or email the Graduate Research Office.