To be eligible for admission, an applicant must demonstrate: 

1. adequate research preparation, and
2. academic merit, and 
3. English language competency.  

Adequate research preparation

1. A research component is a solely authored scholarly work such as a thesis or dissertation.
2. Adequate Research Preparation is constituted by research preparation, to a minimum academic standard.
3. Research preparation may be demonstrated by completing a qualifying university degree, such as:
   1. UWA bachelor honours degree (or equivalent as determined by GRS) with a research component of at least 25% of the final year’s total academic weighting;
   2. a one-year UWA postgraduate degree (or equivalent as determined by GRS) with a research component of at least 25% of a year’s total academic weighting.
4. Research preparation may also be demonstrated by:
   1. scholarly publication as sole or primary author in peer-reviewed journals or published volumes;
   2. experience gained in the course of an occupation;
   3. a portfolio of creative works and scholarly analyses thereof, which are deemed by GRS to be equivalent to a research component undertaken in a qualifying degree;
   4. an incomplete research degree, with academic progress acceptable to GRS.

Academic merit

5. The minimum academic standard for a qualifying degree is:
   1. for admission to a doctoral degree: a weighted average mark equivalent to a UWA distinction (70); and, an awarded grade for the research component equivalent to a UWA distinction (70).
   2. for admission to a Master degree by research: a weighted average mark equivalent to a UWA 65, and an awarded grade for the research component equivalent to a UWA 65.
   3. for admission with a scholarship: a weighted average mark equivalent to a UWA high distinction (80); and, an awarded grade for the research component equivalent to a UWA high distinction (80).

Indigenous applicants

The University recognises the importance of indigenous-led knowledges, research and the need to support and expand the participation of Indigenous Australians in HDR courses.

An Indigenous Australian who does not meet the prescribed admission requirement may be admitted if the applicant is likely to succeed in the proposed course.

English is the language of instruction and assessment at UWA and all applicants, including domestic applicants will need to meet the University’s English language requirements to be eligible for a place. A higher level of English is required for admission to the PhD course.

Graduates from Australian or international universities are not automatically assumed to have demonstrated English language proficiency despite that they may have studied some or all of the courses in English.

Each application is considered individually. In most cases a formal English qualification is required.

Higher scores are required for applicants in:

• Business School
• Dental School
• Graduate School of Education
• Law School