Pre-Application Process | UTS Masters by Research & PhD

Full Job Description

Some faculties and programs require pre-approval before you submit a formal application. This helps us to ensure that you are eligible for the degree and that the faculty has the expertise to support your research.

If you're planning to apply for a scholarship, we recommend starting the process at least six weeks before the application closing dates.

• Faculty of Engineering and IT

• Faculty of Health

• Institute of Sustainable Futures

• UTS Business School

• a PhD by distance, or

• study an Industry or Social Impact PhD.

• Faculty of Engineering and IT

• Faculty of Health

• Institute of Sustainable Futures

• UTS Business School

If you don’t fall into one of these categories, you can reach out directly to a supervisor who can organise your faculty pre-approval.

If you’re not sure what faculty or centre would suit your research, talk to us.

Pre Approval Processes

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Faculty of Engineering & IT (FEIT)

If you want to apply for a research degree in FEIT and a UTS competitive scholarship, you need to first receive pre-approval. You can do this by completing the following pre-assessment process.

First, complete the following pre-work:

• give thought to your proposed topic and question

• consider whether this topic is aligned with our research strengths and priorities

• research potential preferred supervisors with relevant expertise, and

• check that you meet eligibility criteria for a PhD or Master's by Research.

Once you’ve completed the pre-work and found a potential supervisor, express your interest in working with them by email. Send them:

• copies of your undergraduate and postgraduate transcripts in English, including the results for each year

• your CV (download a CV template – (docx, 44KB)), and

• a 500 word overview of your proposed research topic.

The Faculty EOI timelines are outlined below. Please note that EOIs must be submitted by the prospective supervisor to the relevant school for Faculty approval. Only applicants with an approved EOI may proceed to submit a full application once the GRS application portal opens for the relevant scholarship round.

2027 RS1 Domestic Scholarship Round

• FEIT EOI: 3 August – 9 September 2026

• GRS Application Period: 24 August – 23 September 2026

2027 RS2 International Scholarship Round

• FEIT EOI: 3 August – 21 August 2026

• GRS Application Period: 7 September – 7 October 2026

Faculty of Health

Before applying for a research degree at the Faculty of Health, all applicants require a confirmed Principal supervisor.

• If you have a confirmed supervisor:

A pre-approval process is not required if you already have a confirmed supervisor. Applicants can proceed to submit an official application for Master's or PhD here: UTS Student Portal.

• If you do not yet have a confirmed supervisor:

You will need to identify a potential supervisor. We recommend using the Find a Supervisor tool to search for academics working in your area of interest. To refine your search, please use the toolbar on the left side of the page.

Once you have identified a potential supervisor, it is important to contact them directly to discuss your research proposal and confirm their willingness to supervise your research.

When reaching out by email, we recommend including:

• A brief introduction outlining your background and how your research aligns with the academic’s expertise.

• A copy of your current CV using the UTS HDR CV template. This template must be used for all HDR applications.

• A draft research proposal using the Health Research Proposal template.

• Academic transcripts (where applicable). For International applicant, evidence that you meet the English language requirements.

Institute for Sustainable Futures (ISF)

Before you apply to study a research degree at the Institute for Sustainable Futures you need to gain pre-approval. You can do this by following this application process.

UTS Business School

Before you apply to study a research degree at the UTS Business School you need to gain pre-approval. You can do this by completing our online expression of interest (EOI) form.

In the EOI form, you’ll be asked to provide:

• Your CV highlighting any research studies, projects, work completed and research outputs or publications

• Official undergraduate and postgraduate academic transcripts in English.

• Either:

• a three-page research proposal including a literature review (for accounting, finance, management or marketing applicants), or

• a one to two-page statement of interest explaining why you want to pursue a research degree (for economics applicants only).

You’re also encouraged to provide the following non-mandatory documents:

• English Test Certificate

• Any completed thesis or dissertations from previous study

• A letter of recommendation on official company letterhead and signed. Your referees may be contacted for independent letters of recommendation

• A writing sample in English. It can be a research paper or article, preferably in the field you are applying to study.

Industry and Social Impact PhD

Applicants for the Industry or Social Impact PhD programs will need to sign an agreement with UTS and their partner organisation. Please contact the Graduate Research School to start this process.

PhD by distance

Distance mode students will need to submit an Expression of Interest form, completed alongside the supervisor, with their application. Please contact the Graduate Research School to request a copy of the form.

Faculty Of Engineering & It (Feit)

If you want to apply for a research degree in FEIT and a UTS competitive scholarship, you need to first receive pre-approval. You can do this by completing the following pre-assessment process.

First, complete the following pre-work:

• give thought to your proposed topic and question

• consider whether this topic is aligned with our research strengths and priorities

• research potential preferred supervisors with relevant expertise, and

• check that you meet eligibility criteria for a PhD or Master's by Research.

Once you’ve completed the pre-work and found a potential supervisor, express your interest in working with them by email. Send them:

• copies of your undergraduate and postgraduate transcripts in English, including the results for each year

• your CV (download a CV template – (docx, 44KB)), and

• a 500 word overview of your proposed research topic.

The Faculty EOI timelines are outlined below. Please note that EOIs must be submitted by the prospective supervisor to the relevant school for Faculty approval. Only applicants with an approved EOI may proceed to submit a full application once the GRS application portal opens for the relevant scholarship round.

2027 RS1 Domestic Scholarship Round

• FEIT EOI: 3 August – 9 September 2026

• GRS Application Period: 24 August – 23 September 2026

2027 RS2 International Scholarship Round

• FEIT EOI: 3 August – 21 August 2026

• GRS Application Period: 7 September – 7 October 2026

Faculty Of Health

Before applying for a research degree at the Faculty of Health, all applicants require a confirmed Principal supervisor.

• If you have a confirmed supervisor:

A pre-approval process is not required if you already have a confirmed supervisor. Applicants can proceed to submit an official application for Master's or PhD here: UTS Student Portal.

• If you do not yet have a confirmed supervisor:

You will need to identify a potential supervisor. We recommend using the Find a Supervisor tool to search for academics working in your area of interest. To refine your search, please use the toolbar on the left side of the page.

Once you have identified a potential supervisor, it is important to contact them directly to discuss your research proposal and confirm their willingness to supervise your research.

When reaching out by email, we recommend including:

• A brief introduction outlining your background and how your research aligns with the academic’s expertise.

• A copy of your current CV using the UTS HDR CV template. This template must be used for all HDR applications.

• A draft research proposal using the Health Research Proposal template.

• Academic transcripts (where applicable). For International applicant, evidence that you meet the English language requirements.

Institute For Sustainable Futures (Isf)

Before you apply to study a research degree at the Institute for Sustainable Futures you need to gain pre-approval. You can do this by following this application process.

Uts Business School

Before you apply to study a research degree at the UTS Business School you need to gain pre-approval. You can do this by completing our online expression of interest (EOI) form.

In the EOI form, you’ll be asked to provide:

• Your CV highlighting any research studies, projects, work completed and research outputs or publications

• Official undergraduate and postgraduate academic transcripts in English.

• Either:

• a three-page research proposal including a literature review (for accounting, finance, management or marketing applicants), or

• a one to two-page statement of interest explaining why you want to pursue a research degree (for economics applicants only).

• a three-page research proposal including a literature review (for accounting, finance, management or marketing applicants), or

• a one to two-page statement of interest explaining why you want to pursue a research degree (for economics applicants only).

You’re also encouraged to provide the following non-mandatory documents:

• English Test Certificate

• Any completed thesis or dissertations from previous study

• A letter of recommendation on official company letterhead and signed. Your referees may be contacted for independent letters of recommendation

• A writing sample in English. It can be a research paper or article, preferably in the field you are applying to study.

Industry And Social Impact Phd

Applicants for the Industry or Social Impact PhD programs will need to sign an agreement with UTS and their partner organisation. Please contact the Graduate Research School to start this process.

Phd By Distance

Distance mode students will need to submit an Expression of Interest form, completed alongside the supervisor, with their application. Please contact the Graduate Research School to request a copy of the form.

Next Steps

You’ll be notified of the outcome of your pre-approval by email from your potential faculty or institute. If you’ve been pre-approved you can explore funding and scholarship opportunities.

If your EOI was declined, you can find a supervisor in another part of UTS who is more aligned to your field and can support you.