The University of Western Australia

Entry requirements

• There are no mandated entry requirements.

To be accepted an applicant must demonstrate that they have sufficient background and experience in independent supervised research to successfully complete a PhD. The normal requirement is for a bachelor's degree with at least upper second class honours in an appropriate discipline. However, applications are also considered from

• (1) graduates of this University (or equivalent) who can satisfy the Board that they have had adequate research preparation since graduation;
• (2) applicants who have previously undertaken work, which in the Board's opinion is of a sufficiently high standard, towards a research higher degree in this or another approved institution but have not submitted it for any degree and have had their research proposals approved by the Board; and
• (3) applicants who have satisfactorily completed an acceptable preliminary program at this University or an approved institution and have had a research proposal approved by the Board.

Approval for admission to a PhD requires an applicant to demonstrate that they have sufficient background and experience in independent supervised research to successfully complete the course. It also requires the University to ensure that appropriate supervision and resourcing are available.

Applicants are required to demonstrate that they have met the requirements of the University Policy on: Adequate Research Preparation and any other requirements for admission of the University, and—

• have a bachelor's degree of this University or equivalent qualification; or
• have previously undertaken work of a sufficiently high standard towards a higher degree by research in this or another approved institution but not have submitted it for any degree; and
• have completed an appropriate PhD research proposal;

A student who wishes to undertake a PhD in the field of creative writing must, in addition, submit a substantial folio of published creative work, normally in the form of one or more books.

English competency

• IELTS (Academic): 6.5 (no band lower than 6.0)
• Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English: C pass
• Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English: B grade
• TOEFL (paper-based): 570 with a Test of Written English (TWE) of no less than 4.5 Scholarship applicants require 580, with 45 in the Test of Spoken English (TSE) and 4.5 in the Test of Written English (TWE)
• IBT TOEFL (Internet-based test score): 82 with 22 for writing, 20 for speaking, 20 for listening, and 18 for reading. ’Home Edition’ not accepted
• Pearson Test of English (PTE) (Academic): Overall score of 64 with a minimum score of 64 in the Reading and Writing sections, 59 in the Speaking section and 54 in the Listening section. Law School requires an overall score of 70 with a minimum score of 70 in each section.