What doctoral studies can I undertake at Crawford?
Crawford School has a vibrant community of PhD scholars from Australia, across the Asia Pacific region, and around the world. PhD scholars work on a diverse range of topics and across different disciplines, with a shared interest in understanding and addressing global policy challenges. PhD scholars play an essential role in the intellectual life of the School.
Within Crawford School students typically choose to work within one of the following research programs: economics; environmental studies and resource management; public policy or political science; and international relations.
Application due dates
Applications are welcomed at any time during the year and, consistent with the practices of top global public policy schools, Crawford’s applications are assessed for admission by its HDR Admissions Committee throughout the year.
Note, however, that deadlines apply if candidates also want to be considered for a research scholarship. In this case, completed applications must be received by ANU as early as possible before the closing dates listed on this website. Early submission enables more time to vet applications for completeness and improvements prior to the committee’s formal assessment.
Completed applications means the completed ANU application form and all supporting documentation. Vitally, applications must include written confirmation from a primary supervisor and a second supervisor that they will supervise you throughout your candidature. In addition, the application must include a letter of support from the primary supervisor detailing reasons why you should be admitted to the program. Both supervisors must be ANU academics from the same research field, and the primary supervisor must be from Crawford. For the National Security College (NSC), which is within Crawford, both supervisors must be with Crawford, with the primary supervisor being from the NSC.
To enable the completion of compulsory coursework, Crawford requires successful applicants to enrol in the summer term before 31 January for semester 1, or before 14 July for semester 2.
Recommendations for course admission and PhD scholarships will be based on evaluation across multiple criteria, including the following:
- Ability (e.g. past and potential academic performance)
- Quality (e.g. proposal)
- Capacity (e.g. fit with supervisors, program and school)
All successful applicants will be required to undertake compulsory coursework. One requirement is CRWF9000 Fostering Public Policy Research (0 units), to be taken in the first year of PhD study.
More information about the admissions criteria and other required compulsory coursework are available through the links below.
Admission requirements
You must have completed an undergraduate or master’s degree in a discipline relevant to your area of proposed research. For undergraduate degrees, your result should be First Class Honours or Second Class Honours (First Division). If you have a master’s degree, rather than an honours degree, you will need to show that it had a research component. If you don’t have a master’s or honours degree you may be able to apply on the basis of professional work experience. You will also need to have academic referees to support your application.
All applicants must meet the University’s English Language Admission Requirements for Students.
One of the most important steps in making an expression of interest and before being approved to submit an online application, is to identify two potential supervisors at Crawford School. Your expression of interest or application will only be successful if there is at least two academics willing to supervise your research project.
Candidates interested in undertaking PhD study should
Send an Expression of Interest to two academic staff members at Crawford School who you have identified as a possible supervisors for your PhD project.
Information in your Expression of Interest should include:
- A proposed thesis topic (be as specific as you can) of relevance to your study topic;
- A preliminary thesis proposal of 7 to 8 pages in length (see below);
- The name of two potential supervisors at Crawford School in the same program and research field;
- A copy of your academic transcript(s); - A CV including evidence of any work experience;
- A sample of your academic writing (published or unpublished);
- A statement on whether your ability to undertake PhD study is dependent on being awarded a scholarship; and
- The time frame you envisage for commencing and completing your PhD study at ANU
Your preliminary thesis proposal should address the following questions:
- What is your broad area of research?
- What are your preliminary research questions?
- What is the relevant literature? (provide a brief review)
- What analytical framework or approach will you take?
- What methods will you use?
- What do you anticipate will be the contribution of your research?
All applicants should include a section in their Research proposal detailing the viability of their project in the context of COVID restrictions. This section should either (a) explain how the project is not dependent on travel and/or fieldwork and therefore feasible regardless of restrictions in these domains; or (b) provide a 12-month plan outlining how the project will proceed if the current restrictions on fieldwork and travel continue. Applicants should discuss the viability of their research project under COVID restrictions with their proposed supervisors prior to submitting the application.
After the potential academic supervisor receives your Expression of Interest, he or she may invite you to a meeting to discuss your proposal.
Once a supervisor has interviewed you and signed off on your proposal, you may then submit an online application. Your application will be sent to the Crawford HDR Admissions Committee for assessment at the next Crawford HDR Admissions meeting. Please contact the Crawford HDR Coordinator for more information and see PhD programs for application due dates.
Scholarships and Fees
Costs associated with your study at ANU will depend on a number of things, including your study program and whether you’re a domestic or international student. Find out more about costs and fees associated with studying at ANU.
Scholarship information can be found here: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/scholarships-support
In order to be assessed for an International AGRTP scholarship, applications must be received by ANU complete with all required documentation including all referee reports by 31 August. Please submit applications at the latest one month in advance of 31 August.
In order to be assessed for a Domestic AGRTP scholarship, applications must be received by ANU complete with all required documentation including all referee reports by 31 October. Please submit applications at the latest one month in advance of 31 October.