melbourne uni phd students

• School of BioSciences
• Study with us
• Graduate research

Graduate research in BioSciences

Build your research career and become an expert in your field with a biological science research project.

Why research with us?

The School of BioSciences is a leading international research centre attracting world-renowned experts, who collaborate with institutions and industry to cement Australia’s global standing in research areas of national priority. As such, our students are fully supported to undertake research in areas such as: animal behaviour, biotechnology, genetics, computational biology, plant science, ecology, environmental science, evolutionary biology, marine biology, reproductive biology and zoology.

PhD graduates go on to work as academic researchers, biotechnologists, ecologists, geneticists, policy analysts – just to name a few. They find rewarding careers in research institutions such as the CSIRO, government organisations such as EPA and Museums Victoria, or even commercial sectors such as the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and resource industries.

Our Graduate Research degrees

Doctor of philosophy (science).

The Doctor of Philosophy (Science) is an essential qualification for a research career in the biological sciences. Take the opportunity to complete a project within Australia or overseas, supported by world-renowned research groups, facilities and infrastructure at the School of BioSciences.

Master of Philosophy (Science)

For students seeking an introduction to university-based research, the Master of Philosophy (Science) provides opportunity to work with our expert research community and state-of-the-art facilities. Students will be able to conduct their own independent research and contribute to an area they’re passionate about.

Getting started in graduate research

Throughout your PhD, you'll be guided by a supervisor who is an expert in their field – so the first thing you need to do is find a researcher, group or project to work with. There are two great ways to find your passion and a supervisor or group to help you reach it:

Option 1: Explore our research groups

Our school is home to many world-renowned experts carrying out groundbreaking research in a broad range of fields. Once you've found something you're excited about, follow the links to a potential supervisor's Find an Expert profile and send them a message.

Meet our researchers

Option 2: Discover our research opportunities

Explore the supervisors and research projects that are currently available for PhD, Masters and Honours students. Once you've found something you're excited about, follow the links to a potential supervisor's Find an Expert profile and send them a message.

Find research opportunities

What do I say to a prospective supervisor?

You need the written support of a supervisor before submitting an application to the University. Once you've found a prospective supervisor, contact them with the following documents and information:

• Your curriculum vitae (CV)
• All higher education transcripts
• A brief summary of your intended area of research
• The names of at least two prospective supervisors in their team that align with your intended area of research.

They will consider your past academic performance and whether there is someone in their team available to supervise your study.

Scholarships and fees

Most domestic and international students who are offered a PhD place with us will also be offered a Graduate Research Scholarship . Receiving this scholarship means you’ll pay no tuition fees , and you’ll also receive a living allowance and relocation grant (if relocating to Melbourne). When you apply for a PhD with us, you’ll be automatically considered for a Graduate Research Scholarship. There’s no need to apply separately.

A huge variety of other scholarships are also available. Search our scholarships to find the ones you’re eligible for.

Need advice or help getting started?

Before getting in touch, please read this page and the information available for the Doctor of Philosophy (Science) carefully. If you have further questions, email the Graduate Research team .

Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences

Mental Health PhD Program

A multidisciplinary PhD Program in Mental Health

This Program brings together graduate researchers addressing mental health from diverse disciplinary perspectives - psychiatry, psychology, epidemiology and community mental health, history and philosophy of psychiatry, general practice, paediatrics, psychiatric nursing and social work, among others. Launched in March 2018, the Program is a joint initiative of the University of Melbourne's School of Psychological Sciences, Centre for Mental Health and the Department of Psychiatry. These were joined in 2020 by the Centre for Youth Mental Health and the Florey Institute of Neuroscience & Mental Health.

Our goal is to provide all University of Melbourne PhD students researching mental health with a platform to connect, share and discover new disciplines so that they can become fully-rounded researchers who can approach the field of mental health from a multi-disciplinary perspective.

Host departments

The  Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences is one of the most highly regarded schools of psychology in Australia. The School attracts some of the best students nationally and internationally to its broad range of APAC-accredited undergraduate, graduate, professional and research programs. The School's teaching is underpinned by excellence in research across a range of fields, including cognitive and behavioural neuroscience, quantitative psychology, social psychology, developmental psychology and clinical science.

The  Centre for Mental Health is part of the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health and aims to improve mental health and mitigate the impact of mental illness at a population level. It does this through high-quality, collaborative, interdisciplinary research, academic teaching, professional and community education, and mental health system development. The Centre contributes to evidence-informed mental health policy and practice in Australia and internationally through the work of its three units:

• Global and Cultural Mental Health
• Mental Health Policy and Practice
• Population Mental Health.

The Centre's three units are involved in active and productive collaborations within the University and beyond. These relationships range from not-for-profit agencies like Mind Australia through to international NGOs such as the World Health Organization, and enables the translation of their research into policy and practice.

The   Department of Psychiatry is committed to the prevention of mental illness and improved quality of life for individuals affected by mental illness, both nationally and internationally. The Department has unique strengths around biological and translational psychiatry research which are internationally recognised. Together with clinical collaborations and involvement in mental health policy and practice, this provides a stimulating environment for learning and research training programs. Their research is driven by pure and applied questions that require cross-disciplinary approaches and partnerships with diverse community organisations - especially those effected with mental illness. The research informs our teaching and clinical training and engagement with the wider community.

The Centre for Youth Mental Health brings together the experience and expertise of world leaders in the field of youth mental health and has become an internationally renowned research centre in this field. The Centre focuses on understanding the biological, psychological and social factors that influence onset, remission and relapse of mental illnesses in young people. Its research findings are actively translated into improved policy, practice and training that inform the development of better interventions, treatments and service systems for young people at different stages of mental ill-health. The multidisciplinary nature of its research provides a diverse and stimulating environment for students. The local and international collaborations with other universities and research institutes link it with a broader research community, with unique global perspectives and the opportunity for an exciting exchange of ideas.

The Florey Institute of Neuroscience & Mental Health (The Florey) is the largest brain research group in the southern hemisphere and one of the world’s top brain research centres. It is an independent medical research institute with strong connections to other research groups, globally. Our scientists are found at three research facilities, one on the grounds of the University of Melbourne in Parkville, one in the adjacent Royal Melbourne Hospital and the other at Austin Health in Heidelberg.

Program activities

Mental health is a multidisciplinary, complex and rapidly growing research domain. Your years as a graduate researcher at the University of Melbourne are the perfect time for you to broaden your skill set, build your network and expand your understanding of this dynamic field. At the moment we have over 70 graduate researchers in our community who come from over a dozen different Centres and Schools within the University and we would love for you to join us!

Our online platform

In order for you to get to know others and learn from the MHPP community's wide variety of disciplines and expertise, we have an online platform with different channels offering a host of opportunities:

• PhD Progress and Professional Development Channel: Ask any questions  you might have about all aspects of your PhD, get peer support and develop your research skills by making the most of professional development opportunities such as online workshops and skills training.
• MHPP Events Channel: Find information here about the events organised by the Program , including social get-togethers, webinars and workshops.
• Members and Alumni Channel: Connect with your fellow PhD students across the many different institutes and schools represented in the Program, learn from alumni and build your research network.
• Items of Interest Channel: Be kept up to date about University of Melbourne events related to mental health and get invited to attend colloquium talks  by local and visiting experts across the different academic host units, offering unparalleled access to cutting-edge research in mental health.

And more…

In addition, you can also use the MHPP as a unique opportunity to expand your CV by working on your transferable skills and help run an event or become a Mental Health PhD Program Event Coordinator ( not mandatory ).

Program structure

Mhpp co-directors team.

“This PhD Program provides currently enrolled University of Melbourne PhD students working within the domain of mental health with the opportunity to become accomplished graduate researchers who are not only prepared to engage with their own discipline, but are equipped with the capacity to place their work in a broader multidisciplinary context within mental health.”

Centre for Mental Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health

“A PhD position is a big commitment and this program creates a platform to support a true cohort experience and provide a network of support, aimed to help PhD candidates working within the mental health domain through their doctorate and beyond.”

Department of Psychiatry, Melbourne Medical School

“Undertaking a PhD can be one of the most rewarding experiences in your life, yet sometimes, as one buries deeper into their topic, there is risk of feeling quite isolated and disconnected. The Mental Health PhD Program provides a wonderful opportunity to share the journey, connect with others with similar interests, and gain exposure to the broader mental health research landscape.”

Centre for Youth Mental Health

“The Mental Health PhD Program is a vibrant community of post-graduate students who share a common passion and interest in creating new knowledge in the field of mental health, but who come at this through different disciplines, lenses and research methodologies. This program provides a wonderful and unique opportunity for exposure to different ways of thinking about similar problems in a supportive, collaborative and engaging way.”

Florey Institute of Neuroscience & Mental Health

“To transform our understandings into mental health and metal ill-health, we really need multifaceted complimentary approaches that span preclinical tools to clinical approaches and services. This PhD Program provides a unique opportunity for students to be exposed to this breadth of multidisciplinary research that is available within Parkville and the University of Melbourne, and to share their PhD journey with a diverse cohort that will get them thinking about all the levels at which we need to tackle research in the mental health field.”

MHPP Operations Manager

The Mental Health PhD Program now has a wonderful Operations Manager: Brendan Pearl (Department of Psychiatry). Brendan is involved in the organisation, coordination and promotion of many of our great events.

MHPP Event Coordinators

The Mental Health PhD Program has a new online platform with a team of Event Coordinators. This is a team of current MHPP PhD students who help organise events and provide a true cohort experience.  The invaluable contributions of these wonderful MHPP members is what makes the Program truly great!

It is also a great way for members to work on their transferable skills, expand their CVs and create a vast multidisciplinary network with the University of Melbourne. If you would like to join the MHPP and are perhaps interested in taking on the role of Event Coordinator for some time during your PhD journey then please visit the application tab here . We would love to hear from you!

Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health

Centre for Mental Health

Department of General Practice

Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry

Department of Psychiatry

Please find below testimonials from some of our current graduate researchers about their experience of the Mental Health PhD Program.

If you are a mental health graduate researcher, this program is a fundamental building block to understanding how dynamic, complex, inspirational, positive and exciting the field of mental health can be.

Tam Dennis - Graduate Researcher at the Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences

I am very fortunate to be a part of this amazing community and highly recommend it for any PhD student in the area of mental health!

Kavisha Fernando - Graduate Researcher at the Department of Psychiatry

The Mental Health PhD Program (MHPP) is a wonderful program which promotes learning and professional development during your PhD journey.

Carra Simpson - Graduate Researcher at the Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences

What I like about the MHPP is that it provides a platform which is graduate-researcher driven and truly multidisciplinary; it provides opportunities for developing skills which we identify as useful and are above and beyond the scope of our individual departments.

Brendan Pearl - Graduate Researcher at the Department of Psychiatry

I recommend all students with a project related to mental health join the program, get involved and reap the benefits!

Hannah Savage -Graduate Researcher at the Department of Psychiatry

I highly recommend this program to any PhD students in the field of mental health research.

Phoebe Thomson - Graduate Researcher at the Department of Paediatrics

The Mental Health PhD Program creates an inspiring and supportive community of researchers who are united by a common passion for improving mental health and well-being.

Annai Charlton - Graduate Researcher at The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health

The Mental Health PhD Program provides me with lots of different opportunities; networking, career development and the opportunity to ask experts from interdisciplinary fields for advice.

"The MHPP has helped me develop skills that I otherwise wouldn’t have developed, such as being able to communicate about research to people who work in related fields but use very different research techniques (animal work or qualitative research). It’s also a very social program, and I’ve met a lot of other very friendly PhD students. Being an off-campus PhD student, I sometimes felt a bit disconnected from the university, but this program has helped alleviate this feeling. The new online Teams platform is great, I get to check it whenever I want and there are optional events to join. I’ve found lots of them very useful and I ended spending about 1.5 hours a fortnight engaged with the program (5 minutes a day reading updates and chatting to other students and 1 hour attending an event such as an expert discussion, watching an interview or a coffee moment). I’m hoping to meet you soon and feel free to contact me if you have any questions!"

Yara Toenders - Graduate Researcher at the Centre for Youth Mental Health

Being a part of the MHPP community has been one of the best parts of my PhD.

Anna Ross, Graduate Researcher at the Centre for Mental Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health

How to apply?

The Mental Health PhD Program is offered by the University's School of Psychological Sciences, the Centre for Mental Health, the Department of Psychiatry, the Centre for Youth Mental Health and the Florey Institute of Neuroscience & Mental Health.

Graduate researchers at any stage of their PhD candidature and in any Department, Centre or School at the University of Melbourne are eligible to participate.

The Mental Health PhD Program is intended to be a supplement to the training graduate researchers receive in their home department. Program participants will remain enrolled in their current faculties and departments.

Eligibility

To be eligible, graduate researchers must be currently enrolled in a PhD, have their primary supervisor based at the University of Melbourne and be undertaking doctoral research on a topic related to mental health.

Prospective graduate researchers

If you are not currently enrolled, you will need to apply separately for entry to a PhD in a relevant field. This will generally involve finding an appropriate supervisor in a suitable academic Department, School or Faculty. Once you have commenced your mental health-related PhD course, you can then register to join the Mental Health PhD Program.

Check that you meet the University's eligibility and entry requirements to undertake a PhD, and find instructions on how to apply on MDHS' Graduate Research pages . You can also read more general information about the MDHS PhD course .

Applications

The application procedure is currently closed. Due to unforeseen technical issues, the opening for 2021 applications has unfortunately been delayed until February 8, 2020. Our apologies for any inconvenience.

Applications to join the Program can be submitted throughout the year and graduate researchers can join the Program at any time during their candidature.

If you meet the eligibility criteria and you are interested in meeting your peers from throughout the University of Melbourne and creating a more multidisciplinary understanding of mental health research then please apply below. We look forward to welcoming you to our community!

Apply for the Program

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us .

Frequently Asked Questions

What will i get out of the program.

It has never been more important for PhD students to be strategic about career moves, build broad networks and master the right skills to get into their career of choice. The Mental Health PhD Program offers you a platform to:

• Increase your understanding of the multidisciplinary field of mental health
• Save you time finding support and learning about events and resources at the University of Melbourne
• Engage in professional development opportunities specific to the domain of mental health
• Expand your CV
• Present your work, to practice your conference talks or poster presentations
• Get access to extra professional development opportunities workshops, lectures and events that are organised within the University of Melbourne PhD Program Network and only advertised to PhD students who are enrolled in one of the University of Melbourne PhD Programs
• Socialise, share, reflect and learn with and from your peers.

What will the time investment be?

We understand that as a PhD student you have a busy schedule and often competing demands, so we have created an online platform that you can access when and where you like. As a member of the MHPP, we kindly ask you to meet the following time commitment of around three hours per month:

• A weekly active contribution to the online platform. This can be done by posting a question, sharing a tip with your peers, replying to a question posted by another member, liking a post, etc (5-10 minutes per week).
• Join our bi-weekly online events. We really encourage you to attend these live online events so you can ask any questions or join the discussion and share your expertise. That way we really can learn with and from each other. However, we understand you might not always be able to make it so we record most of our events so you can access them at a later point (one hour fortnightly).
• Read any emails you get from the MHPP carefully and reply promptly when needed.

Do I need formal approval from my supervisor to be part of the Mental Health PhD Program?

As of 2020, the Mental Health PhD Program has a new model and formal proof of approval from your Primary Supervisor is no longer required. However, we strongly encourage you to discuss your enrolment into this specific program, as well as your professional development in general, with your supervisor before signing up.

Does the Mental Health PhD Program offer PhD positions?

This multidisciplinary PhD Program is an academic and professional development initiative for currently-enrolled PhD students who are researching a topic within Mental Health. Therefore, this program does not directly enrol students.

Eligible students will need to apply separately for entry to a PhD in a relevant field. This will typically involve finding an appropriate supervisor in a suitable academic Department, School or Faculty. Once students have commenced their mental health-related PhD course, they can register to join the Mental Health PhD Program, which is intended to be a supplement to the training that students receive in their home department.

How can I unsubscribe?

If you need to terminate your enrolment you can do so by unsubscribing from the Mental Health PhD Program Newsletter.

Where can I go for further information?

Please email Anna Schroeder at [email protected] with any questions or feedback. I’d love to hear from you.

This interdisciplinary PhD Program provides participants with the opportunity to become accomplished graduate researchers who are not only prepared to engage with their own discipline, but are also equipped with the capacity to place their work in a broader multidisciplinary context within mental health, maximising their graduate career outcomes.

If you have any questions about the Program or our events, please contact the Program Coordinator Anna Schroeder at [email protected] .

Program Co-Directors

Professor Nick Haslam Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences

Professor Jane Pirkis Centre for Mental Health

Professor Chris Davey Department of Psychiatry

Associate Professor Kelly Allot Centre for Youth Mental Health

Professor Andrew Lawrence Florey Institute of Neuroscience & Mental Health

Operations Manager

Brendan Pearl Department of Psychiatry

• Scholarships

Graduate Research Scholarships

Scholarship

No application required. Check eligibility

Key scholarship details

Application status

Open for automatic consideration

Benefit amount

100% fee remission and up to $135,000

Eligible study level

Graduate research

Eligible student type

Domestic and international students

Eligible study stage

Future study, Current study

Benefit duration

One or more years

The Melbourne Research Scholarship and Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship are offered to high-achieving international and domestic students who are enrolling in a graduate research degree at the University of Melbourne.

Stipend and fee offset scholarships

• Full fee offset for up to two years for students undertaking a Masters by Research degree or up to four years for students undertaking a doctoral degree.
• Living allowance of $37,000 per year pro rata (2024 full-time study rate) for up to two years for students undertaking a Masters by Research degree or up to 3.5 years for students undertaking a doctoral degree. The living allowance may be indexed annually and includes limited paid sick, maternity and parenting leave.
• Relocation grant of $2000 for students moving from States or Territories other than Victoria or $3000 for students moving from outside Australia.
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) Single Membership for international students who require a student visa to study in Australia

Fee offset scholarships

For further information, see Manage my scholarship .

Eligibility and selection criteria

Eligibility.

To be considered for this scholarship, you must:

• have applied for and meet the requirements for a graduate research degree at the University of Melbourne, or
• be currently enrolled in a graduate research degree at the University of Melbourne

Selection criteria

All domestic students who are offered admission to a Masters by Research or doctoral degree (PhD) at the University of Melbourne will receive a Research Training Program Scholarship (Fee Offset).

Graduate Research Scholarships that provide a stipend as well as fee offset are awarded to domestic and international students based on academic merit. Eligible applicants are scored and ranked according to their academic achievement of their last completed degree and their research potential in their field of study. Factors such as completion of a degree at the same level of the research course for which the scholarship is sought, relevant professional experience, refereed publications, specialist medical qualifications or composition of original music may be taken into consideration.

These scholarships are subject to the Graduate Research Scholarships Terms & Conditions (as amended).

Study level:

Student type:

Study stage type:

Need help understanding the process?

Application, how to apply.

If you are a new student and have applied for a graduate research course by the application closing date for that course, you will be automatically considered for the Graduate Research Scholarships. You will receive a notification that a scholarship application has been added to your record within ten business days of having submitted your course application.

If you have accepted a graduate research course offer and deferred commencement in order to be reconsidered for a scholarship, you must submit an online application form by 31 October to be considered for a scholarship in the following year. You will receive a notification that a scholarship application has been added to your record within ten business days of having submitted the online form.

If you are currently enrolled in a graduate research course for which you seek a scholarship, you must submit an online application form by 31 October to be considered for a scholarship in the following year. You will receive a notification that a scholarship application has been added to your record within ten business days of having submitted the online form.

When will I know the outcome?

Domestic students will receive an offer for Research Training Program Scholarship (Fee Offset) as part of their course offer.

Offers for Graduate Research Scholarships that provide a stipend and fee offset are made separately but around the same time course offers are made.

Melbourne Research Scholarships (MRS)

This scholarship is available to high-achieving domestic and international students undertaking a Masters by Research degree or doctoral degree.

Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarships

This scholarship is supported by the Australian Commonwealth Government and offered by the University of Melbourne to high-achieving domestic and international students undertaking a Masters by Research degree or Doctorate by Research degree. See also the University's RTP Scholarship Policy .

China Scholarship Council - University of Melbourne PhD Scholarship

This scholarship is provided by the China Scholarship Council and the University of Melbourne to promote international collaboration and is offered to citizens of the People's Republic of China wishing to undertake a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree at the University of Melbourne.

The information listed here is subject to change without notice. Where we have listed information about jointly run scholarships programs, please also see our partners' websites. Information describing the number and value of scholarships awarded is indicative.

Looking for more study options?

Courses and career pathways.

Browse all undergraduate and graduate courses, study areas and career pathways on the Study website. Explore courses

Whatever your passion, you'll discover stimulating research opportunities at Australia's #1 ranked university. Research at Melbourne

International students

Find support, advice and what to expect living and studying as an international student at the University of Melbourne. Learn more

How can we help?

Graduate Research Hub

• Scholarships

Graduate research scholarships

The University of Melbourne offers generous and comprehensive scholarship opportunities to recognise talent and support graduate researchers.

Graduate researchers who have applied for a graduate research degree are automatically considered for a range of scholarships, however some other scholarships require a standalone application.

If you currently hold a research scholarship awarded by another higher education provider, and you wish to commence or resume a graduate research degree at the University of Melbourne, you will need to apply for admission and be considered again for a research scholarship.

Find the right scholarship for you

The University also administers Research Training Program Scholarships on behalf of the Australian Government. For more information, see: Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship policy

Applications for COVID-19 stipend extensions are now open to candidates whose stipend expires up to 30 June 2023. Visit the COVID-19 scholarship extensions page for further information and the application form.

Research scholarships may provide a stipend, specific allowance or tuition fee remission or offset.

Scholarship benefits can only be activated if you have accepted your scholarship offer, commenced your course, updated your bank details and met the conditions of your scholarship as specified in your scholarship offer.

For more information, see: Graduate research scholarship terms and conditions

Scholarships that provide a one-off payment, quarterly payments or a stipend are paid every fortnight via the University’s Payroll, and will appear as a University of Melbourne Salary on your bank statement.

For more information, see scholarship payment dates .

Fee remissions

Domestic graduate researchers who are offered a masters degree by research or doctoral degree will be enrolled in a fee exempt place and receive a Research Training Program Fee Offset Scholarship to acknowledge the contribution from the Australian Government towards the cost of their tuition.

Please note tuition fee remission scholarships do not cover the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). If the SSAF appears on your Statement of Liability, you are required to pay it.

International graduate researchers who receive a scholarship that provides a partial or full fee remission will have their remission activated after accepting their course and scholarship offer, and before they are due to commence their course. If you do receive an invoice, please contact Stop 1 .

Overseas Student Health Cover

Some scholarships for international graduate researchers who require a student visa to study in Australia will provide Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). If the University arranges OSHC on your behalf, the membership cost is automatically covered.

Acknowledging funding

All financial support for your research, including Australian Government stipend and fee remissions, should be acknowledged in your thesis and other publications.

Providing your bank and address details

To receive scholarship payments, you will need to provide us with the details of your Australian bank account and address via my.unimelb. You can update or check your details after you have accepted your scholarship offer, or if you are currently located outside Australia and do not have an Australian bank account, you can wait until you arrive in Melbourne and activated your bank account.

Scholarship payments can only be made to an Australian bank account (BSB code and account number) Most  Authorised Deposit-taking Institution registered with the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority are banks that require you to confirm your identity in person at one of their branches in Australia before you can transact on your account. Others provide online money transfer services (‘purchased payment facilities’), for example Wise (TransferWise), that allow you to create a currency account with a BSB code and account number online without needing to be present in Australia. Research your options before deciding on setting up a bank account. To check and update your bank details:

• Log on to my.unimelb
• Click on Student admin at the top of the page  and go to Financial Support
• Select View and update my bank account details
• Click Update
• Click Enter and save your bank details

If Step 3 sends you to Personal Details,  click on  Awards and Achievements at the top of the page, then on  Payment on the left side bar to access Payment Details.

Please note:

• You will need the name and six-digit BSB number of your bank. If you do not know your BSB, contact your bank.
• The BSB and account number should only contain numbers. Do not include dashes, letters or spaces - this will cause an error which stops us processing your payment.

If you are outside Australia and unable to open and activate an Australian bank account, you may consider deferring the commencement of your course and scholarship until you are able to open and activate an Australian bank account. Otherwise, the University will hold payments until you have arrived in Australia and open an Australian bank account.

For information on how to check or update your address details, see how do I update my contact details? Make sure the name of your suburb is spelt correctly and your postcode and suburb match. If you are not sure, check the  Australia Post Find a Postcode website.

Payments may be delayed if we do not have your bank details or if the details you provided are incorrect.

Centrelink benefits

Most scholarships provided by the University of Melbourne are equity or merit-based scholarships. Payments from these scholarships are exempt from the Centrelink income test as long as they are less than the payment threshold . Any scholarship amounts over the threshold may affect your Centrelink payment rate.

Commonwealth scholarships, or scholarships that provide a tuition fee remission or exemption, are not considered income for Centrelink purposes.

For further information, please refer to the Services Australia website .

Notifying Centrelink about your scholarship

If you have applied for or are receiving Centrelink benefits, you are obliged to notify Centrelink of any scholarships you have received. We will not do this on your behalf.

If you are asked for a scholarship reference number, you can fill the field with your student ID number.

If you are asked for evidence of your scholarship(s), you can request one by submitting an online enquiry . This scholarship statement will include the details of your current (active) scholarships.

Scholarship payments are normally exempt from income tax, as long as:

• You are enrolled full-time
• The scholarship is provided for educational purposes, and not as part of an employment agreement.

If you are enrolled part-time, the University will withhold income tax from your scholarship payments to avoid the accumulation of a tax debt. You will be asked to provide a Tax File Number Declaration with your instructions on the treatment of the tax-free threshold, and at the end of each financial year you will be able to access your  income statement via myGov to use for your Tax Return. We recommend you seek independent tax advice to ensure that your individual circumstances are covered.

For more information, see:

• Australian Taxation Office: Is my scholarship taxable?
• Tax Help program

Concurrent scholarships or awards

Recipients of a Graduate Research Scholarship are permitted to receive a concurrent award, scholarship or salary in relation to their course of study, provided the concurrent awards, scholarship or salary is less than 75% of the annual value of the living allowance.

For further information, please refer to the  Graduate Research Scholarship terms and conditions .

If you wish to accept an award, scholarship or salary that is equivalent to or greater in value than the Graduate Research Scholarship, you can apply for leave from your Graduate Research Scholarship.

To apply for leave from your scholarship:

• Log into my.unimelb .
• Go to the 'Student admin' tab
• Scroll down to the 'Financial support' heading and select the 'Go to financial support' link
• Under the 'Scholarships' heading, click on 'Apply for scholarship leave or extension'.

Making changes

Scholarships are usually awarded for the maximum duration and cannot be extended. However, making changes to your enrolment can affect your payments or the duration of your scholarship.

For example:

• Taking leave
• Changing your study rate
• Withdrawing from your research degree
• Submitting your thesis .

Your scholarship offer lists the terms and conditions of your scholarship, such as the graduate research scholarship terms and conditions . If you have any questions, contact Stop 1 .

Evidence of your scholarship

Your scholarships, bursaries or prizes will be included in your academic transcript and Australian Higher Education Graduation Statement (AHEGS) , as well as your  Statement of Results .

If you require a more detailed statement of your scholarships or studentship as proof of income or eligibility (e.g. for a visa, loan, or course/ scholarship application), you can  purchase an Evidence of Scholarship Statement.

The Evidence of Scholarship Statement includes:

• Your full name, date of birth and student ID number
• The name, start and end date, and value of your scholarship(s).

Once you place an order, a digital copy will be sent to your student email address.

• Resources for candidates
• Orientation and induction
• Mapping my degree
• Principles for infrastructure support
• Peer activities
• Change my commencement date
• Meeting expectations
• Working with my supervisors
• Responsible Research & Research Integrity
• Guidelines for external supervisors
• Pre-confirmation
• Confirmation
• At risk of unsatisfactory progress
• Unsatisfactory progress
• Add or drop coursework subjects
• Apply for leave
• Return from leave
• Apply for Study Away
• Return from Study Away
• Change my study rate
• Check my candidature status
• Change my current supervisors
• Request an evidence of enrolment or evidence of qualification statement
• Change my project details
• Change department
• Transfer to another graduate research degree
• Late submission
• Withdraw from my research degree
• Check the status of a request
• Re-enrolment
• Advice on requesting changes
• Extension of candidature
• Lapse candidature
• How to cancel a form in my.unimelb
• Resolving issues
• About Study Away
• Finishing on time
• Accepting an offer for a joint PhD online
• Tenured Study Spaces (TSS) Usage Guidelines
• Tenured Study Spaces Procedures
• Research skills
• Academic writing and communication skills
• Building professional and academic networks
• Research internships
• Commercialising my research
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University of Melbourne

• #14 Ranking
• 1,966 Academic Staff
• 52,098 Students
• 26,049 Students (int'l)
• 29,696 Students (female)
• Public Institution Type

Founded in 1853 by an Act of the Victorian Parliament, the University of Melbourne is a thriving internationally acknowledged research University. The original campus was set in a large area north of Grattan Street. The University is more than a place of learning and research. It is also an integral part of the cultural life of the city of Melbourne.

The Melbourne Model: As Australia’s leading university in the world’s most liveable city, it’s only fitting that the University of Melbourne offers a world-class educational model – the first of its kind in Australia. They call it the Melbourne Model. Flexible and focused, the Melbourne Model is a globally competitive curriculum that combines broad undergraduate studies with a professional specialisation at graduate level.

The University of Melbourne is a leading Australian research university, with research expenditure second only to that of the CSIRO, and the largest cohort of research students in Australia. The University of Melbourne researchers are at the forefront of international scholarship in fields as diverse as human rights law, climate change, telecommunications and medical research. Melbourne is home to the internationally distinguished scholar and Nobel Laureate, Professor Peter Doherty and Laureate Professor, Professor Peter Singer. 

Looking for a job, considering your career, or thinking about going on exchange? There are a number of ways to broaden your horizons when you're a student at the University.

• Careers Online: Career programs, services and resources for career development
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• Students@Work: On-campus internships and employment opportunities.

PhD Programmes

• Ph.D. Accounting
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• Ph.D. Decision, Risk and Financial Sciences
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• Ph.D. Agricultural Sciences
• Ph.D. Economics

University of Melbourne Scholarships

Below you will find scholarships related to University of Melbourne. Distinction can be made between scholarships provided by the University and those provided by independent providers.

Read more about eligibility

For a complete overview of scholarships for University of Melbourne, visit our scholarship search .

University Ranking

Student services.

The University of Melbourne offers one of the most comprehensive student support networks in Australia, providing a range of services to help you with finances, finding a home, getting legal advice and managing childcare responsibilities. 

Housing services

There are several accommodation options at Melbourne offered at:

• Dookie campus
• Shepparton campus
• Creswick campus
• Werribee campus

Library services

The Library's general collections contain more than 3.5 million items, not only books but other materials such as DVDs, photographic slides, music scores, periodicals and children's toys. The extensive digital collections include more than 32,000 e-books, hundreds of databases and 63,000 general and specialist journals.

ICT services

The University of Melbourne's wireless network for students is UniWireless. This technology enables two or more computers to communicate using standard network protocols, but without network cabling.

The Student Interns at the University of Melbourne Helpdesks are there to support your eLearning experience. 

Medical services

Your health and overall wellbeing are important, so take advantage of the range of services available to you as a student.

• Audiology Clinic
• Counselling and Psychological Services
• Health Service
• Melbourne Dental Clinic
• Melbourne University Sport
• Safer Community Program
• Security on campus

Campus life

• The Parkville campus includes eight hospitals, many leading research institutes and a wide range of knowledge-based industries.
• The Burnley campus is dedicated to environmental and ornamental horticulture, with nine hectares of heritage-listed gardens.
• In Creswick you’ll find Australia’s only dedicated forest ecosystem science campus, focusing on conservation, forest industry and molecular biology research.
• The Dookie campus remains a focal point for key research, teaching and technology development, helping to shape the future of agriculture in Australia.

Sports facilities

MU Sport offers excellent benefits to students with our various recreation, fitness and sport programs. 

• Student Fitness Members rates include unlimited use of the Pool and Gym, and student rates for court bookings
• Student Fitness Members and casual users can train at one of MU Sport’s three Parkville campus fitness facilities
• 40 Sporting Clubs
• Lunch time Campus Sport competitions or Tin Alley Netball
• College residents can participate in various College Sport competitions
• Tryout to represent the University of Melbourne at the annual Australian University Games
• Elite Athlete Scholarships are on offer to high performance student athletes
• Student Fitness membership rates are available for Massage and Physiotherapy

Student clubs

There are currently over 200 clubs affiliated to the The University of Melbourne Student Union (UMSU), with a combined membership of over 25,000; and you’re spoilt for choice! Clubs range from areas such as spiritual, cultural, and musical, through to political and specific special interests. There are also a vast number of faculty and course-related clubs which help students get to know people from within their courses!

The Faculty of Business and Economics and Melbourne Business School hold Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accreditation and European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS) accreditation.

Parkville, Victoria, Australia

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• Melbourne Centre for Data Science
• Education and Training
• For Students
• Doctoral Academy

MCDS Doctoral Academy

A campus wide multi-disciplinary program for PhD students using data science in their work.

About the program

The MCDS Doctoral Academy aims to bring together a campus wide multi-disciplinary cohort of PhD students (MCDS Doctoral Academy Fellows) to share their research, domain challenges and thoughts around the use, implementation and application of data science in their fields.

The Academy will support the Fellows through peer-learning opportunities, masterclasses, workshops, discussions, opportunities for presentations and more. Such a mixed environment will expose students to different disciplinary perspectives and stimulate the development of new approaches to the ways in which data science is incorporated in research.

The program is ideal for students who:

• Enjoy engaging in cross-disciplinary research skills development and desire to build practical skills
• Seek to explore ways that data science methodologies can be used and advanced within their research
• Appreciate building a community of young researchers who consider data science matters in their field at the University of Melbourne

2023 Doctoral Academy Fellows

Research: Detectability of Climate Change Signals in Observations and Models Supervisors:  Dr Andrew King, Dr Josephine Brown, and A/Prof Ed Hawkins School/Faculty: School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Faculty of Science

Research: Supervisors:   School/Faculty:

Research :  Human-Building Interaction Model for Energy Use of University Student Accommodation in Melbourne Supervisors :  A/Prof Christhina Candido and  A/Prof Hemanta Doloi School/Faculty : School of Architecture, Building and Planning - Melbourne School of Design

Research :  Interaction Matters: Automated Evaluation and Socing of Interactive Ability in Second Language Dialogue Supervisors :  Prof Carsten Roever, Dr Jey Han Lau Schools/Faculty : School of Languages and Linguistics & School of Computing and Information Systems -Natural Language Processing Group

Research:  Supervisors: School/Faculty:

Research:  Supervisors: School/Faculty

Research : Galactic Astronomy Supervisor : Prof Michele Trenti School/Faculty: School of Physics, Faculty of Science

Research : Earth observation and AI for urban building footprint extraction Supervisors : A/Prof Jagannath Aryal and Prof Abbas Rajabifard School/Faculty: School of Electrical, Mechanical and Infrastructure Engineering Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology

Research :  Modelling the impact of mass casualty incidents on the provision and utilisation of emergency department services Supervisors : A/Prof Nic Geard, Dr Daniel Capurro School/Faculty: School of Computing and Information Systems, Faculty of Engineering and IT

Research : Optimising the Laser Direct Infra-Red (LDIR) Chemical Imaging System for microplastics Analysis of environmental and biological samples Supervisors : Dr Brad Clarke and Professor Amanda Ellis School/Faculty: Faculty of Science, Chemistry, Australian Laboratory for Emerging Contaminants

Research: Modelling the transmission and evolution of emerging and re-emerging sexually transmissible pathogens Supervisors: Deborah Williamson, Ben Howden and George Taiaroa School/Faculty: Department of Infectious Diseases - Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences

Research :  Prenatal, birth and early childhood risk and protective factors for infections in children Supervisors: Prof David Burgner, Dr Jessica Miller, Prof Lars Henning Pedersen, Dr Maria Magnus School/Faculty: Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences

Research :  The role of motivational factors, coping, and psychological wellbeing on preservice teachers’ commitment to the teaching profession Supervisors: A/Prof. Gavin Slemp, Prof. Dianne Vella-Brodrick School/Faculty: Centre for Wellbeing Science, Faculty of Education

2022 Doctoral Academy Fellows

Research : Severe convective winds in Australia and their sensitivity to climate change Supervisor: Prof Todd Lane School/Faculty: School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Faculty of Science

Research : Developing and benchmarking methods for multi-omics single-cell quantitative trait locus mapping in complex diseases Supervisors : Dr Davis McCarthy and Dr Heejung Shim School/Faculty: School of Mathematics and Statistics - Biosciences, Faculty of Science

Research :  A Hierarchical Markov-switching Model for Bull and Bear Markets Supervisors: Dr Yong Song and A/Prof Ole Maneesoonthorn School/Faculty: Department of Economics, Faculty of Business and Economics

Research :  Improving practical applications of dynamic occupancy models Supervisors: Dr Gurutzeta Guillera-Arroita and Dr Natalie Briscoe School/Faculty: School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, Faculty of Science

Research:  Explaining the Uncertainty in AI-Assisted Decision Making Supervisors: Prof Tim Miller, Prof Liz Sonenberg and Dr Ronal Singh School/Faculty: School of Computing and Information Systems, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology

Research: Optimising and Improving Species Detections Supervisors: Prof Mick McCarthy and Dr Gurutzeta Guillera-Arroita School/Faculty: School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, Faculty of Science

Research :  Using modern Machine Learning for the probabilistic modelling of dementia Supervisors: Dr Victor Fedyashov, Dr Benjamin Goudey, Dr. Daniel Beck and Dr. Pierrick Bourgeat School/Faculty: Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dental and Health Sciences

School/Faculty:  Quantifying and Mitigating Digital Overdiagnosis Supervisors: Dr Daniel Capurro and Dr Douglas Pires School/Faculty: School of Computing and Information Systems, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology

Research :  Toward better characterisation of restricted and repetitive behaviours in Autistic Youth Supervisors: Dr Mirko Uljarevic and A/Prof Luke Smillie School/Faculty: Complex Human Data Hub School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences

Research :  A data-driven model of urban form evolution: quantitative analysis of long-term spatial transformation in the city centres of Melbourne, Barcelona and New York Supervisors : Prof Justyna Karakiewicz and Dr Fjalar de Haan School/Faculty: Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning

Research :  Continual learning by Efficient Neural Network Synthesis Supervisors : Prof Saman Halgamuge and Prof Denny Oetomo School/Faculty: Department of Mechanical Engineering Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology

Research :  Risk prediction for metachronous colorectal cancer among colorectal cancer survivors Supervisors : Prof Mark Jenkins, A/Prof Aung Ko Win, Dr Amalia Karahalios, and Prof Alex Boussioutas School/Faculty: Melbourne School of Population and Global Health Faculty of Medicine, Dental and Health Sciences

2021 Doctoral Academy Fellows

Research : Spatial causal inference analysis Supervisors: Dr Martin Tomko and Prof Stephan Winter School/Faculty: School of Infrastructure Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology

Research : Non gaussianity and secondary cosmic microwave background anisotropies in the south pole telescope data Supervisor : Dr Christian L. Reichardt School/Faculty: School of Physics, Faculty of Science

Research :  Analysis of an ongoing conflict through the lens of media frames Supervisors: Prof Robert Hassan and Dr Philip Pond School/Faculty: School of Culture and Communication, Faculty of Arts

Research :  Reproducibility and transparency of model-based research in applied ecology and conservation decision-making Supervisors : Dr Libby Rumpff, Prof Fiona Fidler, and Dr Hannah Fraser School/Faculty: School of BioSciences, Faculty of Science

Research :  Natural disturbance-based models for silviculture in the Victorian Central Highlands Supervisors : Prof Patrick Baker and A/Prof Craig Nitschke School/Faculty: School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, Faculty of Science

Research :  Instance space analysis of quantum optimisation algorithms Supervisors : Prof Kate Smith-Miles and Dr Charles Hill School/Faculty: School of Mathematics and Statistics, Faculty of Science

Research :  A data driven model of agenda setting in Australian politics Supervisors : Prof Andrew Turpin and Dr Gosia Mikolajczak School/Faculty: School of Computing and Information Systems, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology

Research :  An evidence-based approach to climate change experimentation in international city networks Supervisors : Dr Kathryn Davidson and Prof Michele Acuto School/Faculty: Melbourne School of Design, Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning

Research: An examination of the motivations underlying, and consequences of, social network dynamics for the resolution of environmental collective action problems, using "gamified" experiments and simulations (agent-based models) Supervisors: Prof Yoshihisa Kashima and A/Prof Andrew Perfors School/Faculty: Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences

Research :  Time domain gravitational lensing Supervisor : Prof Rachel Webster School/Faculty: School of Physics, Faculty of Science

Research :  Model-based and Hybrid Multiagent Reinforcement Learning in Internet of Things Supervisors : Prof Tansu Alpcan and Dr Sarah M. Erfani School/Faculty: School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology

Research :  Exploring embodied values in Singaporean paintings through technical examination and data analysis Supervisors : Dr Nicole Tse and Prof Robyn Sloggett School/Faculty: Grimwade Centre for Cultural Materials Conservation, Faculty of Arts

Research :  Understanding breast cancer risk via an automated measure based on mammographic textural features: Cirrus Supervisors : Prof John Hopper, Dr Shuai Li, Dr Gillian Dite and Dr Tuong Linh Nguyen School/Faculty: Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dental and Health Sciences

Melbourne Medical School

• Research Training

Doctoral Research

Doctoral degrees at the University of Melbourne seek to develop students' academic leadership, increasing independence, creativity and innovation in their research.

Doctor of Philosophy - MDHS

The degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences) at the University of Melbourne marks a student’s admission to the community of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences scholars. It signifies that the holder has undertaken a substantial piece of original research which has been conducted and reported by the holder via thesis.

Doctor of Medical Science

The Doctor of Medical Science (DMedSc) at the University of Melbourne seeks to develop graduates who demonstrate academic leadership, increasing independence, creativity and innovation in their research work. In addition, professional doctoral studies provide advanced training designed to enhance professional knowledge in a specialist area, and encourage the acquisition of a wide range of advanced and transferable skills.

Combining a PhD with your MD may be an excellent option if you are already on your way to a career as a clinician-researcher. Discover the Melbourne MD-PhD pathway.

Thematic PhD Programs

By enrolling in a PhD in the Medical School you may be eligible to participate in one of the following thematic PhD Programs to further provide candidates with additional development and support.

Child and Adolescent Health PhD Program

The Child and Adolescent Health PhD Program complements your PhD studies. As a participant, you will join more than 200 graduate researchers at the Melbourne Children’s Campus.

Comprehensive Cancer PhD Program

The Comprehensive Cancer PhD Program provides specialist cancer research training and support for PhD candidates. It complements your core PhD activities.

Infection and Immunity PhD Program

This PhD Program is a supplementary learning opportunity that will enrich your PhD experience. As a participant, you will work with others who share a passion for discovering new knowledge about infection and immunity.

Medical Biology PhD Program

When you join our PhD Program, you will work with others who share a passion for research related to medical biology. You’ll connect with graduate researchers from other disciplines. And you’ll engage with relevant external organisations.

Melbourne Neuroscience PhD Program

This is a competitive program that complements your core PhD project. You will receive close mentoring from experts in the field of neuroscience. And you will benefit from a broad range of research initiatives.

Mental Health PhD Program

This Program brings together graduate researchers addressing mental health from diverse disciplinary perspectives - psychiatry, psychology, epidemiology and community mental health, history and philosophy of psychiatry, general practice, paediatrics, psychiatric nursing, social work, among others.

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Astrophysics

The phd program (phd in physics), the doctorate program (phd physics):.

The approximately 3 and a half year PhD in Physics program is based purely on research. There are no required subjects. Key milestones in the program are: (1) Candidacy: There is a progress review at the end of your first year. This consists of a presentation, short report, and a Q&A session with the candidacy committee (composed of three to four faculty members). If you are on-track, you become a PhD candidate. (2) Annual reviews: There continue to be annual reviews of your progress and any issues that have arisen with your candidacy committee each year, (3) Thesis: At the end of your PhD program, you submit a thesis documenting your PhD research that is reviewed by an international panel of experts in your field.

Choosing a research project and supervisor:  Before submitting a PhD application, you must liaise with your planned supervisor about your planned PhD project. In most cases, this is your MSc supervisor, but there are exceptions if you are coming from a different institution or decide to change your research focus.  We have listed (very!) brief project ideas for each research area under the Research link. If you are interested in an area and would like to know more, please contact the faculty member directly.

If you are applying internationally, the first step in applying for the PhD program is to send your CV, transcripts, evidence of English proficiency (if required), and an indication of your research interests to [email protected] . They will suggest some potential supervisors. No one is admitted to the PhD program without a supervisor.

Funding: All of our PhD students receive a stipend sufficient to support them over the course of their PhD. This also comes with a tuition fee waiver. There can be supplementary scholarships and awards on top of this, and (with permission of their PhD supervisor), PhD students often supplement their income while developing their teaching abilities by acting as tutors in undergraduate or graduate subjects.

• Getting here
• Using Asteroseismology to Measure an Integrated Mass Loss for Evolved Stars in Globular Clusters Wednesday 14 Sep 2022 @ 12:00 p.m., Level 6 Geoff Opat([...]
• Understanding X-Ray Signatures of Outflows Through 3-D Simulations Wednesday 07 Sep 2022 @ 12:00 p.m., Level 6 Geoff Opat([...]
• Orbital structures of SAMI passive galaxies from orbit-superposition Schwarzschild models. Wednesday 31 Aug 2022 @ 12:00 p.m., Laby Theatre(+Zoom)[...]
• On Modelling Complex Systems in Astronomy Wednesday 17 Aug 2022 @ 12:00 p.m., Laby Theatre(+Zoom)[...]
• Hydroxyl as a Probe of the Interstellar Medium Wednesday 10 Aug 2022 @ 12:00 p.m., Zoom Dr Anita Petzl[...]
• How do galaxies regulate their own star formation? Wednesday 03 Aug 2022 @ 12:00 p.m., Laby Theatre(+Zoom)[...]
• Leaks and bursts Wednesday 27 Jul 2022 @ 12:00 p.m., Laby Theatre(+Zoom)[...]
• Research Overview
• Epoch of Reionisation
• Inflation and the Early Universe
• Galaxy Formation and Evolution
• Gravitational Lensing
• Dark Energy
• Extreme Objects
• Gravitational Waves
• Dark Sky Studies
• News and Events
• Ask an Astrophysicist
• Introduction to Life, Earth, and Universe

• Indigenous Knowledge Institute

PhD in Indigenous Knowledge

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Indigenous Knowledge is a new program commencing in 2024, offering candidates a flexible and accessible pathway to enriching their academic experience while engaging with a cornerstone of Australia’s cultural fabric.

This program is the first of its kind in Australia, exploring the full scope of Indigenous knowledge and its role in shaping public interest. It is designed to recognise and activate Indigenous knowledge, deepen engagement and reciprocal learning with Indigenous communities around the world and, for Indigenous candidates already engaged in this subject area, facilitate entry into a PhD program.

The PhD program aims to:

• enable students to focus on Indigenous knowledge as a distinct interdisciplinary subject area,
• encourage original research into maintaining, revitalising, and applying Indigenous knowledge,
• elevate Indigenous knowledge in the academy and beyond,
• support Indigenous Knowledge Holders engaging in research, and
• deliver research engagements and outcomes that promote benefits for Indigenous stakeholders.

Why do a PhD in Indigenous Knowledge?

The United Nations estimates that there are more than 370 million Indigenous people spread across 70 countries worldwide. UNESCO recognises that their ‘unique ways of knowing are important facets of the world’s cultural diversity, and provide a foundation for locally-appropriate sustainable development’.

Indigenous knowledge remains fundamental to human life across Australia and the world. It constitutes a rich store of traditional knowledge that is now applied across a diverse array of fields, including medicine, health, education, development, resource management, agriculture, law, and the arts.

This PhD course recognises that Indigenous knowledge is a distinct interdisciplinary subject area. It is primarily designed to cater to the research needs and interests of Indigenous students and fills a critical gap in educational opportunities for Indigenous students at the PhD level.

The course is dedicated to advancing Indigenous knowledge through innovative interdisciplinary inquiry. It offers transformational ways to advance Indigenous knowledge research that values Indigenous Knowledge Holders and recognises Indigenous knowledge as a learning pathway into higher education. Students from diverse cultural and educational backgrounds with academic qualifications and/or equivalent professional experience are welcome to submit an Expression of Interest.

Entry requirements

The PhD in Indigenous Knowledge provides flexible entry to candidates with academic qualifications and/or equivalent professional experience. This could be an Honours degree, a Master's degree, an equivalent qualification or professional experience, or you may be an Indigenous Australian with cultural or research experience (see the Handbook page for more information).

Our Doctorate (PhD) in Indigenous Knowledge warmly invites applications from international students, reflecting our commitment to global engagement and the exchange of diverse perspectives. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds, including Australian Indigenous, Global Indigenous people, and non-Indigenous individuals who can demonstrate a profound understanding and engagement with Indigenous knowledges, to apply. Our program values inclusivity and recognises the importance of fostering a rich and culturally diverse academic community.

Candidates will need to demonstrate that they are able to complete the PhD program. The option to undertake the PhD part-time is available (see Frequently Asked Questions ).

Find out more about entry requirements at the Handbook and the Study page.

Prior to finalising your Expression of Interest (EOI), we strongly recommend reviewing our comprehensive guide, 'Writing a Research Proposal' . This resource ensures a thorough understanding of the expectations and criteria for crafting a compelling proposal.

Please find the Expression of Interest form here. It is strongly advised that you work with a potential supervisor to complete your Expression of Interest form.

If you want advice on applying, please email us at [email protected]

The PhD in Indigenous Knowledge allows students flexibility to present their PhD research in ways that allow them to combine written and creative folio outputs — for example, a performance, film presentation, ceremony direction, or cultural burning. Get in touch with us so we can have a chat about what might work for you.

The degree structure requires the completion of a research thesis of 80,000 words or an equivalent folio with a minimum written component of 20,000 words based on innovative independent research. Four standard thesis options are:

• 80,000-word written thesis,
• 60,000-word written component with minor folio,
• 40,000-word written component with medium folio, or
• 20,000-word written component with major folio.

All thesis outputs, including folio content, must align with Indigenous modes of knowledge production and communication. Folio content can span any medium of communication, creative or otherwise, but will need to be presented at the high standard expected in any PhD program.

There is no compulsory coursework, though relevant coursework subjects may be taken with approval. Regular milestones must be met to successfully progress through any PhD course.

Find out more at the Handbook and the Study page.

Career outcomes

A PhD is an essential qualification for a research career in many industry and community settings. The research and professional skills that come with completing a PhD are highly valued and Indigenous academics with PhDs and potential for research excellence are widely sought by university employers. A PhD is also a ticket to international research opportunities and being competitive for research funding that can greatly help Indigenous communities.

Steps for application

Read the information on this webpage, the Handbook, and the Study page.

Decide which areas or topics of research will interest you.

Contact a potential supervisor who can supervise that research. You can have a look at Find an Expert or get in touch with us at [email protected]

Fill out an Expression of Interest with assistance from your potential supervisor.

If your Expression of Interest is found suitable by the selection committee, you will be invited to submit a full application for the PhD.

If your Expression of Interest is unsuccessful, we will give you feedback.

Your full application will be assessed by a selection committee and, if approved, put forward for approval by the University.

Note: Meeting the entry requirements of the program does not guarantee admission. Admission is determined on the grounds of the quality of the applicant and the proposed thesis project.

If your application is approved, you will be able to enrol and start your PhD after onboarding paperwork has been completed.

Frequently asked questions

Application process.

You will need to work with a potential supervisor on your Expression of Interest before submitting a formal application.

An Expression of Interest is a document that outlines your research interests and proposed research project. The process of working with a potential supervisor on your Expression of Interest is collaborative, and it's important to be open to feedback and suggestions. Refer to our ' Writing a Research Proposal' resource.

Take a look at the steps outlined on the Study page for an overview of the process to apply.

Yes, both domestic and international students are welcome to submit an Expression of Interest for the PhD in Indigenous Knowledge.

You do not have to be Indigenous to apply. A demonstrated ability to engage with Indigenous knowledge at a level of experience and expertise corresponding to PhD entry is essential.

See the Expression of Interest form at the Study page .

Once you have been admitted into the course, your start date is flexible and can be agreed upon with your supervisor.

4 years full-time, or 8 years part-time.

Supervision

Your main supervisor will be an academic experienced in supervising PhD students, who is closely aligned with your main area of research interest or approach.

Every PhD student must have at least two supervisors. Your co-supervisor(s) will have complementary skills related to your project. PhD students will also have an advisory committee which may include external members.

You can directly approach any eligible supervisor who is conducting research in your area of interest. You can do this by searching Find an Expert . The Indigenous Knowledge Institute can also offer advice on who might be a good supervisor for you.

Your supervisor’s school will provide you with the following facilities and resources:

• Office space and furniture, computer
• Office consumables, printing, photocopying
• Lab equipment, facilities, software
• Participation in academic life
• Enrichment and professional skills programs

You may also be able to access:

• Research methods program as required
• Internships
• Tutoring/demonstrating/teaching

Funding and scholarships

The Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship and the Melbourne Research Scholarship are the main graduate research scholarships offered by the Faculty of Science (the Institute's host faculty). Both scholarships provide a stipend and a full fee offset. You will be automatically considered for these scholarships when you apply for the course. Find out more about these two scholarships at the Graduate Research Scholarships page.

IKI offers a limited number of bursaries for Indigenous PhD students and RTPs each year.

There is a range of other scholarships available. Take a look at the scholarship site .

Yes. If you decide to work while pursuing your degree, it's important to talk to your supervisor to ensure that you can manage your workload effectively. If you are studying full time, you should aim to spend at least 40 hours per week on your studies. Part-time study requires at least 20 hours per week.

How is the PhD in Indigenous Knowledge different?

The course is offered by the Indigenous Knowledge Institute (IKI) at the University of Melbourne, which works across all Academic Divisions, but is hosted by the Faculty of Science. IKI manages admissions, supervisor allocation, examination, and the Indigenous Knowledge cohort experience through the IKI Community of Practice and IKI Doctoral Academy.

Academics across the University of Melbourne hold great research experience into Indigenous knowledge via many projects and partnerships. These include prominent Indigenous academics and others in the IKI Community of Practice. As a PhD student in this course, you will join both the IKI Doctoral Academy and IKI Community of Practice. The IKI Doctoral Academy will ensure that students are prepared for success through research capabilities training, one-on-one mentoring, skill development, and access to visiting speakers.

Student research is guided by the IKI Charter and Guidelines for Research with Indigenous Knowledge Holders , which sets out core principles of ethical, respectful, and responsible research relationships and complements existing University and national ethics guidelines.

You will have the flexibility to present your PhD research in ways that allow you to combine written and creative folio outputs. The degree structure requires the completion of a research thesis of 80,000 words or an equivalent folio with a minimum written component of 20,000 words based on innovative independent research. Four standard thesis options are:

All thesis outputs, including folio content, must align with Indigenous modes of knowledge production and communication. There is no compulsory coursework, though relevant coursework subjects may be taken with approval. Regular milestones must be met to successfully progress through any PhD course.

In addition to a written component, you can also submit a folio of work. Your supervisors will work with you to determine which content will be appropriate for your project. Examples of folio content might include but are not limited to music, dance, film, weaving, painting, curation, ceremony direction, festival direction, or cultural burning.

University Of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarship 2024

Published: 20 Jun 2024 342 views

The Melbourne Research Scholarship and Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship is offered to high-achieving international and domestic students who are enrolling in a graduate research degree at the University of Melbourne.  Scholarships provide a stipend as well as fee offset to domestic and international students based on academic merit.

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About University of Melbourne

Graduate research scholarship, aim and benefits of graduate research scholarship, requirements for graduate research scholarship qualification, interview date, process and venue for graduate research scholarship, application deadline, how to apply.

The University of Melbourne (informally Melbourne University) is an Australian public research university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 1853, it is Australia's second oldest university and the oldest in Victoria. Times Higher Education ranks Melbourne as 33rd in the world, while the Academic Ranking of World Universities places Melbourne 44th in the world (both first in Australia).... continue reading

Stipend and fee offset scholarships

• Full fee offset for up to two years for students undertaking a Masters by Research degree or up to four years for students undertaking a doctoral degree.
• Living allowance of $37,000 per year pro rata (2024 full-time study rate) for up to two years for students undertaking a Masters by Research degree or up to 3.5 years for students undertaking a doctoral degree. The living allowance may be indexed annually and includes limited paid sick, maternity and parenting leave.
• Relocation grant of $2000 for students moving from States or Territories other than Victoria or $3000 for students moving from outside Australia.
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) Single Membership for international students who require a student visa to study in Australia

Fee offset scholarships

To be considered for this scholarship, you must:

• Have applied for and meet the requirements for a graduate research degree at the University of Melbourne, or
• Be currently enrolled in a graduate research degree at the University of Melbourne

All domestic students who are offered admission to a Masters by Research or doctoral degree (PhD) at the University of Melbourne will receive a Research Training Program Scholarship (Fee Offset).

Graduate Research Scholarships that provide a stipend as well as fee offset are awarded to domestic and international students based on academic merit. Eligible applicants are scored and ranked according to their academic achievement of their last completed degree and their research potential in their field of study. Factors such as completion of a degree at the same level of the research course for which the scholarship is sought, relevant professional experience, refereed publications, specialist medical qualifications or composition of original music may be taken into consideration.

If you are a new student and have  applied for a graduate research course  by the application closing date for that course, you will be automatically considered for the Graduate Research Scholarships. You will receive a notification that a scholarship application has been added to your record within ten business days of having submitted your course application.

If you have accepted a graduate research course offer and deferred commencement in order to be reconsidered for a scholarship, you must submit an  online application form  by 31 October to be considered for a scholarship in the following year. You will receive a notification that a scholarship application has been added to your record within ten business days of having submitted the online form.

If you are currently enrolled in a graduate research course for which you seek a scholarship, you must submit an  online application form  by 31 October to be considered for a scholarship in the following year. You will receive a notification that a scholarship application has been added to your record within ten business days of having submitted the online form.

For more details, visit  University Of Melbourne website.

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Faces of ODU: Ishan Perera

Old Dominion University junior Ishan Perera is on track to become a neurosurgeon. With a biology major and minors in chemistry and computer science, Ishan wants to make a difference in the lives of hospital patients. Through hands-on classroom experiences in ODU’s Human Cadaver Dissection course, Ishan learned the inner workings of human anatomy to prepare him for a career in medicine. Ishan is applying the skills he’s learning at ODU to his work as an emergency room technician and volunteer with the Virginia Beach EMS, the nation’s largest volunteer prehospital medical services. As a student in the Perry Honor’s College, Ishan participated in medical research and shadowed doctors and observed surgeries with local health practitioners. ODU’s metropolitan campus is in close proximity to Eastern Virginia Medical School, and level one trauma hospitals, allowing students to further their education and get jobs in the medical field after they graduate.

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Graduate Research

Doctor of Philosophy - Science

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• Course code: DR-PHILSCI

How to apply

The University of Melbourne offers two graduate research programs: the Doctor of Philosophy (Science) and the Master of Philosophy (Science) . We recommend that you familiarise yourself with both these programs before deciding on the one most suitable for you.

When you have completed or are close to completing the prerequisite studies, please follow the steps below.

Step 1 – Check your eligibility

The entry requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and the Master of Philosophy (MPhil) are the same. Check our entry requirements to confirm that you are eligible.

Please also check that you meet the University’s English Language requirements . We can assess your application even if you do not yet meet the English requirements, however, any course or scholarship offer will be issued conditional on meeting our English language requirements before enrolment.

Step 2 – Find a prospective supervisor

Before you apply, you must have the written support of an academic supervisor. You can search for potential supervisors by exploring the University’s Find an Expert directory or the Faculty of Science Research Prospectus . You can also browse the Faculty of Science School websites, which outline their research areas, themes and staff contacts:

• Ecosystem Sciences
• BioSciences
• Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
• Mathematics and Statistics

When contacting a potential supervisor, you should include the following documents and information:

• Copies of all higher education transcripts, including a grading scale
• A current CV/resume outlining any experience relevant to your proposed field of research, including work experience and prior research output
• A brief summary of your intended area of research, or a research proposal.

Step 3 – Check the scholarship deadlines

Applications for admission to one of our graduate research programs may be submitted at any time in the year. However, to be considered for one of the faculty's  Graduate Research Scholarships you are required to submit a complete application before one of the deadlines of our scholarship rounds. If you intend on applying for a course offer to then apply for a scholarship from a sponsor external to the Faculty of Science, such as an external government scholarship, you will not be considered for a faculty Graduate Research Scholarship and you will instead receive an outcome to your application outside of the below listed timelines.

*Please note that if you do not submit your application with all relevant documentation before this date your application will not be considered in the respective round.

Step 4 – Prepare your documentation

To ensure your application is assessed without delay, please provide the following documentation in your online application:

• Evidence of supervisor endorsement
• Copies of all higher education transcripts, completion statements and grading schemes
• Copies of, or links to, any prior research publications
• Evidence of having met the University's English language requirements
• The names and contact information of academic and/or employer referees.

If you completed a masters degree with an ungraded thesis, please also provide a copy of your thesis and any examiner reports (if available).

When you submit your application, your referees will be emailed a link to access the Graduate Research Referee tool and you will be notified when they submit their reference. It is important that you contact your referees before submitting your application to ensure that they will expect the request for a reference from the University of Melbourne.

Please ensure that your academic referees are able to comment on your most recent, relevant study.

Step 5 – Submit an application

Submit an online application by selecting the link at the top or bottom of this page.

Domestic applicants include all Australian citizens or permanent residents, holders of a permanent Australian humanitarian visa and New Zealand citizens. If you do not fall into one of these categories, you will need to apply as an international applicant.

To apply you will need to search using the course code 'DR-PHILSCI'. Please also note the following:

• International applicants select ‘PG Overseas Fee Paying’
• Domestic applicants select  ‘RTP / RTS / CTS’
• Attendance mode: select 'On Campus'
• Study mode: select 'Standard'.

Once you've submitted your application, you will receive an email stating that your application has been received. If your application is incomplete, you will receive an email requesting additional documents. Assessment of your application will only commence once you have provided all required documents.

Step 6 – Wait for the outcome

If you have submitted a complete application before the closing dates for any round, you will receive an outcome by the relevant date outlined above. We would encourage you to remain in contact with your supervisor while you wait for an application outcome.

Please note, if you have submitted your application but would like to provide additional documents, you can email them to [email protected] .

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Sentencing awaits for former Arizona grad student convicted of killing professor

FILE - Arizona graduate student Murad Dervish sits in Pima County Superior Court, May 8, 2024, in Tuscon, Ariz. (Mamta Popat/Arizona Daily Star via AP, File)

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TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — A former University of Arizona graduate student convicted of fatally shooting a hydrology professor on campus months after he was expelled could be facing a life prison term when he’s sentenced Monday.

A Pima County Superior Court jury last month found Murad Dervish guilty of first-degree murder in the death of Thomas Meixner, who was shot 11 times near his office on Oct. 5, 2022.

Dervish, 48, also was convicted on five other felony counts, including aggravated assault for a bullet that grazed a building manager.

Jurors deliberated for less than three hours on May 21 before reaching their verdicts against Dervish.

Prosecutors have said Dervish should get life in prison without parole.

Dervish’s attorney said his client was in the midst of a psychotic episode at the time of the shooting and urged jurors to consider a lesser charge of second-degree murder that could have meant confinement in a psychiatric hospital, rather than a prison cell.

But prosecutors said evidence showed Dervish planned Meixner’s killing and bought a 9 mm handgun a month before using it in the shooting.

Meixner, 52, headed the university’s Department of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences. Dervish was in the master’s degree program in atmospheric sciences.

Authorities said Dervish was banned from the school in January 2022 and later expelled for ongoing issues with professors after he received a bad grade.

According to a criminal complaint, a flyer with a photograph of Dervish was then circulated to university staff in February 2022 with instructions to call 911 if Dervish ever entered the John W. Harshbarger Building, where Meixner worked.

The complaint also said Dervish was barred from school property and was the subject of several reports of harassment and threats to staff members working at Harshbarger.

Witnesses testified that Dervish was wearing a surgical mask and baseball cap as a disguise when he showed up outside Meixner’s office and shot the professor.

Dervish fled the scene but was arrested three hours later after Arizona state troopers stopped his car on a highway more than 120 miles (190 kilometers) northwest of Tucson.

Authorities said a loaded handgun was found in the vehicle, and the ammunition was consistent with the shell casings found at the shooting scene.

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• PhD applications in Biomedical Science and Biochemistry

Are you a high-achieving student interested in pursuing a PhD in molecular and biomedical sciences? Do you want to work with top researchers, in a world-class research facility, in a beautiful city at the bottom of the world? Then check out the Division of Biomedical Science and Biochemistry at the Australian National University.

Our Science : We provide an outstanding research environment with a world-class reputation. We are an interdisciplinary division, with highly integrated labs that work at the forefront of membrane transport processes, host-pathogen biology, drug and vaccine development, immune processes, cancer biology and evolutionary genomics. We research a wide range of topics – from the physiology of intracellular parasites to the assembly of bacterial nanomachines; from the structure and biophysics of membrane transporters to the early evolution of animals. If you are interested in doing a PhD with us check out our Research Groups below, and contact prospective supervisors.

• Adamska Group - Genomic and evolutionary basis of animal development
• Altin Group - Tumour immunology and liposome targeting group
• Behm Group - Nematode molecular biology
• Brock Group - Membrane structural biology, biochemistry and biophysics
• Broer Group - Membrane transport and nutrition
• Casarotto Group - Biomolecular interactions  
• Corry Group - Transport proteins and computational biophysics
• Fahrer Group - Immunology
• Furlong Group - Bacterial structural defence
• Jackson Group - SynBio
• Lehane Group - Antimalarial drug action and resistance
• Leyton Group - Assembly, function, and applications of nanoscale bacterial surface structures
• Maier Group - Molecular mechanisms of malaria pathogenesis
• Saliba Group - Physiology and biochemistry of the malaria parasite
• Spry Group - Drug discovery for infectious diseases
• Tham Group - Understanding chytrid infection biology
• van Dooren Group - Cell biology and metabolism of apicomplexan parasites
• Verma Group - Bacterial and bacteriophage genetics, and vaccine development.  

Our Values : Our division includes award-winning supervisors and teachers, and we pride ourselves on providing high-quality supervision to our students. Our PhD students are well supported through internal funding, including for conference travel and computational resources, and our labs are located in a well-equipped, modern research facility. We have a thriving community of PhD students, and our graduates go on to productive careers in many areas of science and beyond. We value diversity and inclusivity in science and have active policies to prevent discrimination. Our faculty and their research teams are comprised of people from all over the globe and from all walks of life.

Location : The ANU is situated in Canberra, Australia’s capital city. Canberra is a well-resourced regional city, set amongst beautiful mountains and surrounded by eucalypt forests. Bike riding and hiking are everyday activities, and we are a two-hour drive away from both winter snowfields and some of the most beautiful beaches on Earth. Canberra’s birdlife is stunning, and we regularly have to brake for kangaroos on our daily commute. Despite its regional setting, Canberra is a vibrant, multicultural city. There are frequent cultural evenings, festivals, art exhibits, music events, and world-class restaurant and coffee scenes.

The Australian National University: We are a research-intensive university and have an international reputation for research excellence. The ANU is frequently ranked as Australia’s top university, and one of the top 50 universities in the world.

Candidate eligibility : Domestic applicants must be Australian citizens or permanent residents, or New Zealand citizens, and must have previously completed a 1 st  class Honours or Masters thesis in a relevant field. Fully funded International PhD scholarships are highly competitive at the ANU. To be a viable candidate you need: (1) excellent undergraduate marks; (2) a Masters by Research with a high mark; or (rarely) equivalent proof of research experience. (3) While not essential, having published research papers in the past is an advantage.

What do I do? First, contact potential supervisors from the list of staff on the Research Groups above (include your CV and grades, and some details about what it is that attracts you to their field of research). If they are interested in supervising you, you can submit an application to commence a PhD via the online link below. Your application should include a detailed CV, full academic transcripts, the name of your potential supervisor, and a brief description of a research project that you and your potential supervisor have discussed. Entry to the PhD program is open to applicants with a Bachelor degree that have also completed (or are in the process of completing) an Honours or Masters research degree that comprises at least a half year, full time research component and a thesis (5,000-10,000 words). Applicants with significant research experience and publications may be deemed eligible if their achievements can be justified as equivalent to completing an Honours/Masters degree. As part of your application for undertaking a PhD, you will automatically be considered for a stipend scholarship if you tick the scholarship box in the application. Your potential supervisor or the Biomedical Science and Biochemistry graduate convenor, Dr Giel van Dooren, can advise you on how competitive your application is likely to be for obtaining a stipend scholarship. If you have questions about any aspect of the PhD application process, you can contact Giel van Dooren ( [email protected] )

The application form is here , along with general information on how to apply and the details about the Doctor of Philosophy program . PhD applications are due by 15 April (the mid-year round for both international and domestic students),  31 August (international students), or 31 October (domestic students). Your application will require:

• Academic transcripts and graduation/completion certificates from your Bachelor and Honours/MSc degree (in its original language and, if needed, a translation), with grading scale information.
• A current CV, including scholarships or prizes, publications and conference presentations.
• A research proposal (this is quite short and your potential supervisor can help you with it).
• Proficiency in English: For international students from many countries, a current IELTS or TOEFL certificate is required. 
• Three referee reports. You need to enter your referee details on the application form. The system then automatically sends them a link to complete an online form. NB: You need to ensure your referees are willing and able to write recommendation letters and do so promptly. Plan ahead and alert them.

* If you are an international student and have the possibility of PhD funding from your home country or elsewhere, let a potential supervisor know.

23 inmates graduate with bachelor's degrees as part of California prison, university partnership

For the first time, inmates have earned bachelor's degrees from the University of California system.

Twenty-three inmates from the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego received their diplomas from UC Irvine, as part of a partnership with the state. They all earned sociology degrees.

"Graduation is always a special day, not only for the graduates and their families, but for our entire university community," said UC Irvine Chancellor Howard Gillman. "It is no exaggeration that today's graduation is extraordinarily special."

"California is transforming its criminal justice system to focus on true rehabilitation, justice, and safer communities statewide - known as the California Model," said CDCR Secretary Jeff Macomber. "This collaboration with the University of California allows these graduates to build a foundation focused on pursuing educational opportunities that will prepare them for a successful future, while making our communities safer."

This collaboration between the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the UC is made possible by a formal agreement through a program known as Leveraging Inspiring Futures Through Educational Degrees (LIFTED). LIFTED enables incarcerated students to apply to transfer into UCI as juniors and earn a bachelor's degree in sociology from the university while serving their sentence.

The program's first cohort began taking faculty-led courses in the fall of 2022, according to CDCR. That same year, Governor Gavin Newsom and the State Legislature allocated $1.8 million over five years for the program's support and expansion.

"This is a historic occasion to celebrate both the first 23 incarcerated students earning bachelor's degrees from a top 10 public university and a successful partnership between two major state institutions, who are working together to bring a world-class public education into state prison," said LIFTED Director and UCI Professor Keramet Reiter.

The latest data shows more than 11,000 people in state prisons are enrolled in college courses. Studies show inmates who participate in educational programs are 48% less likely to return to prison within three years than those who did not have access to these opportunities, the CDCR said.

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The Sydney Morning Herald

• Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Into the Lions’ Den: Militant Palestinian fighter group inspires hardline attack on Melbourne Uni

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Vandals who attacked the University of Melbourne’s main library tagged it with the name of a militant Palestinian group that has claimed responsibility for deadly attacks on the West Bank, in what terrorism experts and Jewish community leaders say is a worrying step-up in protest activity.

Balaclava-clad activists this month broke into the Baillieu Library and caused extensive damage, wrecking expensive book-scanning equipment and spray-painting references to “Lions’ Den” on the floor and walls.

Vandals spray-painted references to the Lions’ Den at the Baillieu Library at the University of Melbourne.

Arīn al-ʾUsud or Lions’ Den is a secular, armed resistance group of predominantly young Palestinian men that emerged in the West Bank town of Nablus two years ago and, through its presence on TikTok and Telegram, quickly gained a broad following across the occupied territories.

The group, which draws its members from across rival Palestinian factions Fatah, Hamas , Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, is not listed as a terrorist organisation by the Australian government, but was this month sanctioned by the US Department of State for threatening West Bank security.

Graffiti at the University of Melbourne’s Baillieu Library. Credit: Penny Stephens

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said evidence of support for Lions’ Den within the pro-Palestinian protest movement was a serious issue. He urged the Albanese government to consider proscribing the group as a terror organisation, which would give the Australian Federal Police and ASIO broad powers to investigate and prosecute its members.

The opposition is also pushing for radical Islamist organisation Hizb ut-Tahir to be proscribed after an investigation by this masthead revealed some of its members had infiltrated the anti-war movement in Sydney.

“These are deeply concerning revelations,” Dutton told this masthead. “As if the recent Melbourne University encampments on South Lawn and the storming of the Baillieu Library weren’t bad enough, it appears there are more sinister elements at play here.

“The fact that it appears that a violent militant group is the inspiration for participants in these protests locally is a very serious issue indeed.”

Lions’ Den fighters are readily identifiable through their black uniform, black bucket hats, insignia and red ribbons tied to the barrels of their assault rifles. Since emerging in 2022, they have claimed responsibility for shooting attacks against Israeli and Palestinian Authority soldiers and the murder of a Palestinian civilian.

A video taken from inside the Baillieu Library and posted on an activist site shows vandals defacing the library and renaming it Lions’ Den. The makers of the video, who describe themselves as “students, alumni and outside agitators”, also quoted passages from Lions’ Den messages published on Telegram.

Lions’ Den fighters in their customary black uniforms with red ribbons tied around their rifle barrels.

A Victoria Police spokesperson said it was treating the June 7 break-in as a suspected burglary and no arrests have been made. Victoria Police’s Counter-Terrorism Command has been informed about the incident.

Dana Alshaer, a student leader of pro-Palestinian protests at the University of Melbourne, said she did not know the identity of the people involved in the break-in and whether they were connected to the student protest movement .

“We don’t know anything about them,” she said. “They are an autonomous group, as far as I can tell.”

Deakin University professor Greg Barton, an expert in terrorism and extremism, said although the references to Lions’ Den might have been a “false flag” raised by bad-faith political agitators, this appeared unlikely.

“It is more likely that these are pro-Palestinian protesters who understand what the Lions’ Den is and really identify with it, or a group that wants to take on a strong, provocative name and haven’t internalised what identifying with this group means,” he said. “Either way, it is a worrying turn.

“For eight months, we have had tens of thousands of people involved in protests. You get chants of ‘from the river to the sea’ and justifying resistance, but there is always an ambiguity.

“When somebody cites an active, new group that is youth-led in the West Bank and engaged in serious violence and recruiting at a steady rate, that is very worrying.”

Zionist Federation of Australia president Jeremy Leibler said the episode reflected a lack of leadership at the University of Melbourne to confront extremism on campus.

Broad following: Mourners gather in the West Bank town of Nablus to bury Lions’ Den militants killed by Israeli forces in October 2022. Credit: Jaafar Ashtiyeh

“If the University of Melbourne had come out strongly at the very beginning and drawn a line in the sand, it would have never gotten to this point,” he said.

Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin described the overt references to Lions’ Den as dangerous and troubling. “This is a group that has carried out armed attacks against civilians,” he said.

The references to Lions’ Den have coincided with a hardening of the pro-Palestinian message. At Sunday’s rally in Melbourne, protesters waived placards depicting a Palestinian fighter brandishing an assault rifle and carrying the tagline: “By any means necessary.”

Alshaer, a Palestinian student from the West Bank now living and studying in Melbourne, has researched Lions’ Den. She said the group was made up of university-aged men and has a strong appeal to young Palestinians disillusioned by long-standing factionalism within Palestinian politics.

Dana Alshaer speaking at a University of Melbourne protest last month. Credit: Jason South

“The ideology of the group is unity, which makes it a very different phenomenon in terms of Palestinian resistance,” she said. “In spite of their political differences and rivalries, the fighters in the group chose not to make this an obstacle to working together and became one autonomous party committed to liberating Palestine, ending the occupation of their cities and killing of their brothers, sisters and parents.

“The majority of Palestinian youth are not affiliated with political parties but have one goal, which is unity and ending the occupation.”

Prior to Hamas’ October 7 attacks in southern Israel, Lions’ Den was a priority target of the Israeli Defence Forces. The group gained iconic status in 2022 when three of its founding leaders, including 18-year-old “Lion of Nablus” Ibrahim al-Nabulsi , were killed in gunfights with Israeli soldiers.

Alshaer neither condoned nor condemned the Baillieu Library break-in, which she said was part of a “spectrum of resistance” against genocide in Gaza and the University of Melbourne’s research agreements with defence contractors that supply the IDF.

“Everyone will be acting in their own way,” she said.

The vandals caused damage on multiple floors of the library and forced the university to close the building for four days in the middle of student exams.

A university spokesman said the closure was a “significant disruption to students and staff” and the criminal damage was being investigated by police. “This type of criminal behaviour has the potential to incite further physical and psychological harassment, endangering people’s safety and wellbeing,” the spokesperson said.

The University of Melbourne, as part of an agreement reached earlier this month for students to end their encampment and occupation of the Arts West building, promised to disclose more details of its long-standing research with defence contractors, including BAE systems and Boeing.

The activists who broke into the Baillieu Library rejected this settlement. “F--- your disclosure,” the video declares. “Divestment now. Colonial institutions must fall. Long live the intifada.”

The group could not be reached for comment.

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