Higher degree by research

Our HDR programs offer outstanding research training opportunities in the chemical and molecular life sciences.

As a PhD or MPhil candidate you'll help tackle global challenges as varied as harnessing clean energy to finding new ways to prevent and mitigate disease.

Whatever your passion, you'll pursue it in a dynamic, stimulating and supportive academic environment.

You’ll join our diverse and cross-disciplinary community of researchers who enjoy international recognition for their quality and output, commercialisation of discoveries, and success in attracting research fellowships, grants, prizes and awards. You’ll also have access to UQ’s world-class scientific facilities.

How to apply

To apply for an HDR with us, you must find a supervisor and then apply online.

Apply for a higher degree by research

Our programs

Expectations and timelines

A higher degree promises challenge, fun, frustration, the excitement of discovery, the satisfaction of producing a piece of original research, and the knowledge that you're helping to address key challenges in our changing world.

As a PhD candidate you'll complete a substantial piece of original research under academic guidance and produce a thesis of around 80,000 words that you'll submit for examination after three to four years.
As an MPhil candidate you'll produce a thesis of around 40,000 words and submit it for examination within one to two years.

Your research training will equip you with a range of professional skills to help plan your next moves and widen your options and provide a strong foundation on which to build your chosen career.

Scholarships and financial support

Support for current HDR candidates

We're committed to attracting the best students to join us in our growing research endeavours.

We help HDR candidates with computing and travel resources, and grant applications, and ensure they have a voice through a representative committee.

Visit our support pages for current HDR candidates for information about:

candidature milestones
annual research student symposium
conference funding
skills training
Research Students Advisory Group.