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Research Degrees

The Faculty of Nursing at the University of Sydney has a strong commitment to teaching and research in many aspects of nursing, midwifery and their practice. The Faculty’s research degrees are highly regarded in the nursing profession, both nationally and internationally. They prepare nurses for leadership in research, teaching and administration.

The Faculty provides first class student resources including an on-site nursing library, computer facilities as well as access to all the resources of the University. The Faculty is uniquely situated within the College of Health Sciences. The Faculty is committed to excellence in postgraduate research education.

Higher Degrees by Research

  • Doctor of Philosophy
  • Master of Philosophy
  • Master of Nursing (Honours)

Higher Degrees by Coursework and Research

  • Doctor of Health Services Management

Undergraduate Research Degree (by coursework and research)

  • Bachelor of Nursing (Honours)

Why enrol in a research degree at Sydney?

Students wishing to undertake a research degree at the Faculty have the opportunity to work with staff in many research areas including ageing, Indigenous health and nursing, midwifery and patient processes of care and the illness experience. Please feel free to discuss your research area of interest with the Coordinator (Research Degrees).

The Faculty also supports:

  • The Research Development and Support Unit is designed to strengthen and grow research within the Faculty by supporting and assisting the existing researchers and fostering a supportive environment for early career researchers and research students.
  • The Sydney Nursing Research Centre promoting research into clinical nursing.
  • The Research Centre for Adaptation in Health and Illness providing research training and research to inform policies and practice in relation to the health, community care and the quality of life of people with disabilities and chronic illness.
  • The Nursing History Research Unit promoting research into nursing history and connected to national and international nursing history centres.

Fees

Local students
No fees for PhD, MPhil, MN (Hons)

Fee-paying courses
Master of Nursing Research and Master of Midwifery Research

Commonwealth Supported Students
Bachelor of Nursing (Honours)

International students
Please contact the International Office, at io@usyd.edu.au for the current fee schedule.

International students

International students are required to meet the Faculty’s English language requirements of IELTS 7 in each band and 7 overall.

In addition, international students may only enrol in degrees on a full-time basis. More information on being an international student at the University of Sydney can be found atwww.usyd.edu.au/io.

Enquiries

Enquiries
David Hopkinson
Tel. 61 2 9351 0778
Email:

Application procedures

Applicants for the Master of Nursing (Honours), Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy need to complete the relevant application form (see link below), outline how they meet the entry requirements and provide a two page preliminary research proposal.

Choosing a topic and a supervisor
When intending to embark on a research degree, prospective students will need to make some important decisions concerning choosing an appropriate topic and a supervisor(s). Each student has a main supervisor and an associate supervisor.

Choosing a topic
Intending applicants will need to decide on a topic in an area of interest to them. This topic will need to be refined through discussion, reading and thinking into a research question.

Choosing a supervisor
To assist in the process of refining your research topic you will need to discuss your proposed project with staff and potential supervisors. In choosing a supervisor you should consider staff who you are able to talk to, whose ideas you respect and who you feel will stimulate you and your research. To find the right supervisor you should talk to as many people as possible, including other students. This will enable you to match up your ideas, approaches and personality with an appropriate supervisor.

Areas of research expertise of the staff are listed on the website. These provide you with an introduction to the staff and their research interests and expertise. You are encouraged to look at these and arrange to meet with staff you are interested in talking to about your research proposal.

Application procedures
Applicants will need to have established what their topic will be and commenced discussion with potential supervisors before formally applying to the Faculty as a research student.

These are the steps to follow to apply for admission to a research degree:

Application form

Local students should complete one of the following application forms for admission to a research degree:

Bachelor of Nursing (Hons)
Master of Nursing(Hons)
M Philosophy and PhD


International students should download the form from the International Office
website


Research proposal
The application will need to have attached a two page outline of the proposed research topic in the form of a research proposal. See the Faculty guidelines on what to include in the research proposal.

Documentation and attachments
The application for admission into a research degree must also be accompanied by the following documentation:

  • a curriculum vitae (CV)
  • original academic transcripts
  • proof of citizenship and any name changes
  • proof of current nurse registration
  • research proposal

Submission
For Australian (local) residents:Applications, including the research proposal and all accompanying documentation and attachments, must be submitted to:

David Hopkinson
Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery
The University of Sydney
88 Mallett Street, Camperdown NSW 2050 Australia
Tel. 61 2 9351 0778
Email:

For international students
Applications for entry as an international student, including the research proposal and all accompanying documentation and attachments, must be submitted to:

International Office
Services Building G12
The University of Sydney
NSW 2006 Australia

Enrolment information
Candidates for all research degrees must enrol through the:

Faculty Office
Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery
88 Mallett Street,
Camperdown NSW 2050
Australia

Compulsory requirements for research students

Seminar presentations
All research students enrolled in a PhD, MPhil, MN (Hons) and BN (Hons) are required to make a seminar presentation to the Faculty at least twice per year on their progress to date. The object of this mandatory presentation is to provide a forum for the development and support of research projects being undertaken within the Faculty. This seminar presentation also forms part of the annual student review of progress. In addition, research students are expected to attend all seminar presentation sessions.

In the first semester of their candidature students will be required to attend the research seminar series.

Reviews
All students enrolled in a PhD or MPhil are required to have an annual review/ interview regarding their progress. This review provides students with the opportunity to discuss any difficulties they may be experiencing as part of their candidature or with any aspect of their research. This could cover issues related to time-management, difficulties with data collection or analysis, the supervisory relationship or Faculty support and infrastructure. This review is not intended to be a detailed review of your research.