Australian Catholic University Research Degrees 2026 | PhD, MPhil & DMin Application Guide

Australian Catholic University (ACU) offers research degrees for students interested in pursuing advanced academic research in Australia. Eligible applicants can apply for a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Master of Philosophy (MPhil), or Doctor of Ministry (DMin). ACU currently accepts research degree applications on an ongoing basis.

ACU Graduate Research – Quick Facts

What Research Degrees Can You Apply For?

ACU offers three main research degrees:

• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) – for advanced original research and a significant contribution to knowledge.
• Master of Philosophy (MPhil) – a shorter research degree focused on independent research.
• Doctor of Ministry (DMin) – a professional doctorate focused on applied research and advanced theological reflection.

Who Can Apply?

Applicants must meet the specific admission requirements for their chosen research degree. ACU assesses applications based on:

• Research potential
• Quality and feasibility of the research proposal
• Availability of suitable supervision
• Strength of referee reports
• Academic background

International applicants may also need to demonstrate English-language proficiency.

Research Areas

ACU has research expertise across areas including:

• Education and Arts
• Health Sciences
• Law and Business
• Theology and Philosophy
• Computer Science and Data Science

Your proposed research should align with the expertise of available supervisors.

What Documents Are Required?

Applicants generally need to provide:

• Academic transcripts
• Academic CV
• 2,000-word research proposal
• Proof of identity
• Details of two referees
• Previous research work, where applicable
• Thesis and examination reports, where applicable
• English-language evidence, if required (acu.edu.au)

How to Apply for an ACU Research Degree

The application process has six main stages:

1. Prepare your research idea and documents.
2. Apply online with supporting documents.
3. Referee reports are submitted by your nominated referees.
4. Assessment by ACU.
5. Outcome of your application.
6. Enrolment after accepting your offer.

ACU recommends applying at least 12 weeks before your preferred research start date. Applications are currently open and can be submitted at any time.

Research Intakes for International Students

International research students can commence on the first date of their chosen research term in April, July or October.

Scholarships at ACU

Applicants interested in funding can also explore ACU’s research scholarships. ACU offers scholarship-supported research projects in which an existing research project may include a scholarship package.

Scholarship deadlines can differ from the general research-degree application deadline, so applicants should check the specific scholarship requirements.