To be admitted as a research student in the School of Computer Science and Software Engineering you need three things:

1. to identify the field of study of your research and make contact with a potential supervisor from the School of Computer Science & Software Engineering
2. to meet the eligibility requirements for entry
3. to have a scholarship to meet your living costs while you are studying

The Graduate School website provides general information for prospective research students and explains the application process for PhD and MSc candidates.

Research Area and Supervision

First, you need to establish whether there is a suitable supervisor in our School for your research interests. You can find information about CSSE's research groups and also can search the specialist research interests of CSSE academic staff.

A list is available of PhD project suggestions currently on offer by academics in the School as well as projects of our current research students. Our annual School Research Conference reports recent work by graduate students.

You should do some background reading and think about possible research areas before emailing a potential supervisor. Supervisors receive many requests for support and their email filters may remove those that look like spam. You are required to submit a brief research proposal as part of your application. You are encouraged to discuss your proposal with your proposed supervisor since an important criterion for acceptance is that the School is able to provide supervision and any other resources required for the proposed research. See also the comments about ad hoc scholarships below.

Travel scholarships of up to Aus$2000 are available for PhD applicants to visit UWA’s School of Computer Science and Software Engineering in order to discuss their proposed research with their supervisor, see our research facilities, and to explore living in the beautiful city of Perth. Applicants need endorsement from their proposed supervisor to apply for this scholarship.

Scholarships

Please read our hints for research scholarship applicants in CSSE before submitting your application.

Scholarships are available for Australian and overseas research students to study at UWA. The Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics also offers Faculty research scholarships.

Applications for most overseas student scholarships close in August and for Australian and New Zealand students in October each year. If you already have a scholarship from your University or another source, please let the School know when you contact us.

Many students are supported by a combined University award and an Ad Hoc Scholarship, which is usually funded from a Research Grant held by the coordinating supervisor. The possibilities for ad hoc scholarships should be discussed with your proposed supervisor during the application process. See the University's Ad Hoc and Other Scholarships Regulations for more information about what is required.

The Graduate Research Coordinator for CSSE is Dr Rachel Cardell-Oliver. She can be contacted by email to postgrad.coordinator [at] csse.uwa.edu.au with any questions about your application.