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The costs of a research degree

As a research student at Macquarie University, you will need to understand the costs involved with your degree and the fee payment process.

Research degree fees vary depending on whether you are a domestic or international student.

Ways to save on your tuition fees

Domestic and international students can save time and money if eligible for a scholarship or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). There is also financial help for domestic students and some support is available to international students.

Domestic students

You are a domestic research degree student if you are enrolled in a research degree and are one of the following:

How you add up your fees

When working out the cost of your BPhil tuition, you will need to take into account:

Research degrees

There are different domestic fee structures for the two types of research degrees.

  • First year – Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) are available for domestic students enrolled in the Bachelor of Philosophy/Master of Research (BPhil/MRes). You will also be required to pay the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).
  • Second year – you’ll be offered the Research Training Program (RTP) fee offset scholarship from the Australian Government so you don’t need to pay fees. This scholarship covers the cost of your course for the minimum duration.

The Bachelor of Philosophy is an approved course for the purposes of student income support. Students may be eligible for student income support payments such as Youth Allowance or Austudy, provided all other qualifications are met. Check with Services Australia (was Centrelink) directly for further information.

Domestic candidates enrolled in either the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or the Master of Philosophy (MPhil) program are funded by the government under the Research Training Program (RTP).

Students are entitled to a maximum of three years’ full-time equivalent study if undertaking a PhD, and a maximum of two years’ full-time equivalent study if undertaking a MPhil.

Candidates with incomplete research degrees will have their prior candidature period deducted from their full RTP entitlement when they enrol.

International students

If you are studying with us on an international student visa, you’re considered an international student and must pay international fees. Find out more about our international student fees.

International fees per faculty

Learn more about fees for degrees in each of our faculties below.

Degree name

CRICOS number

2024 approximate annual cost

2024 commencement fee

Doctor of Philosophy

001403F

$40,600

$20,300

Master of Philosophy

056667E

$40,600

$20,300

Master of Research Year 1

087959C

$37,100

$18,500

Master of Research Year 2

087959C

$37,100

$18,500

Degree name

CRICOS number

2024 approximate annual cost

2024 commencement fee

PhD in Health Innovation

085032M

$51,900

$25,950

PhD in Biomedical Sciences

085032M

$51,900

$25,950

PhD in Clinical Medicine

085032M

$51,900

$25,950

PhD in Health System and Population

085032M

$51,900

$25,950

PhD in Cognitive Science

064239C

$51,900

$25,950

PhD in Medicine

085032M

$51,900

$25,950

PhD in Health Sciences

085032M

$51,900

$25,950

PhD in Psychological Sciences

064239C

$51,900

$25,950

PhD in Linguistics

070063E

$46,300

$23,150

PhD in Psychology

064239C

$51,900

$25,950

PhD/Master of Clinical Neuropsychology

027361G

$51,900

$25,950

PhD/Master of Clinical Psychology

027361G

$51,900

$25,950

PhD/Master of Organisational Psychology

027361G

$51,900

$25,950

MPhil in Health Innovation

085031A

$51,900

$25,950

MPhil in Biomedical Sciences

085031A

$51,900

$25,950

MPhil in Clinical Medicine

085031A

$51,900

$25,950

MPhil in Health System and Population

085031A

$51,900

$25,950

MPhil in Health Professions

085031A

$51,900

$25,950

MPhil in Cognitive Science

064241J

$51,900

$25,950

MPhil in Psychology

064241J

$51,900

$25,950

MPhil in Medicine

085031A

$51,900

$25,950

MPhil in Health Sciences

085031A

$51,900

$25,950

MPhil in Psychological Sciences

064241J

$51,900

$25,950

MPhil in Linguistics

070064D

$46,300

$23,150

Master of Research Year 1

087964F

$42,400

$21,200

Master of Research Year 2

087964F

$47,600

$23,800

Master of Public Health (Research specialisation)

092682G

$39,800

$19,900

Degree name

CRICOS number

2024 approximate annual cost

2024 commencement fee

Doctor of Philosophy

001404E

$51,900

$25,950

Master of Philosophy

056670K

$51,900

$25,950

Master of Research Year 1

087963G

$42,400

$21,200

Master of Research Year 2

087963G

$47,600

$23,800

Degree name

CRICOS number

2024 approximate annual cost

2024 commencement fee

Doctor of Philosophy

021502D

$37,900

$18,950

Master of Philosophy

056664G

$37,900

$18,950

Master of Research Year 1

087960K

$34,500

$17,250

Master of Research Year 2

087960K

$34,500

$17,250

*Total annual cost is based on 80 credit point for a full-time study load.

**Total annual cost is based on two enrolment periods at a full-time study load.

Refunds of any fees paid must be in line with the Higher Degree Research International Fee Refund Policy.

Download 2023 international tuition fees document.

International Out of Time (iOOT) fee

Candidates who apply for and are approved for an extension of Expected Work Submission (EWS) date in accordance with the HDR Variations to Candidature Policy will be charged a flat rate of AUD $2000 for a three-month extension (iOOT fee).

Candidates can apply for a cumulative maximum of 1 EFTSL (PhD/MPhil) or 0.5 EFTSL (MRes Y2) in accordance with the policy, and each extension application of three months will incur a flat rate $2000 charge.

Note:

  • Candidates will be expected to apply for an extension of EWS date before the expiry of their candidature.
  • If you do not pay your iOOT fee by the payment due date, late payment penalties may also apply.
  • Applicable to MRes Y2, MPhil and PhD only. See further details below.

  • Candidates will not be liable for full tuition fees for more than one year (full time equivalent) of the MRes Y2 program.
  • Candidates may apply for up to two extensions of EWS date for three months at a time.
  • The first extension of candidature for MRes Y2s for three months up to the end of January (for Session 1) or end of July (Session 2) will not incur a charge of full tuition fees or a write up fee.
  • $2000 iOOT fee will apply for the second approved application for extension of EWS date.
  • When a candidate has an approved extension, marks are not deducted should they submit on or before their new EWS date.
  • Candidates will not be charged full tuition fees for the period beyond their standard period of candidature. The standard period of candidature is defined in the Higher Degree Research Rules.
  • Candidates may apply for up to four extensions of EWS date for three months at a time.
  • $2000 iOOT fee will apply for each approved application for extension of candidature.
  • Where candidates are Macquarie University funded scholarship holders, the first approved application for extension may include an extension of stipend, where the candidate applies and is approved for an extension under the Macquarie COVID-19 Extension Scholarship Scheme. In these circumstances the iOOT fee will not apply.

Can I apply for six months’ extension?

PhD and MPhil can apply for a six-month extension in accordance with the HDR Variations to Candidature Policy, however you will be charged for two three-month periods (2 × iOOT = $4000).

I have a scholarship, will it cover my iOOT?

Scholarships for international candidates funded by Macquarie University do not cover the iOOT fee. If you have an externally funded scholarship you will need to check with your provider or sponsor.

I don’t need three months; can I apply for less than a three-month extension and pay a lesser fee?

No, if you apply for an extension of EWS date you will be granted three months, for a flat rate of $2000. This is not pro-rata.

Can I submit before the end of my approved extension period?

Yes, you can submit before the end of your approved extension. If you submit your thesis within one month of your original EWS date after applying for a three month extension, the fee will be reversed and you will not have to pay.

When is the fee due?

The fee due date will be displayed in your eStudent account. It will be due one month from your original EWS date.

Will I have to pay the iOOT fee for my first extension if I have received a COVID-19 Extension Scholarship (not applicable to MRes)?

No, candidates who are eligible and who are approved for the COVID-19 Extension Scholarship Scheme will be granted up to three months’ stipend and tuition scholarship, and for this first extension will not be charged the iOOT. Subsequent extension will be subject to the $2000 flat rate fee for each three month extension of EWS date.

I haven’t submitted an extension of EWS date, will I be charged the fee?

You will only be charged the iOOT fee of $2000 when you apply for an extension of EWS date. If you do not submit your thesis and you have not obtained an EWS date extension your candidature may be ceased in accordance with the HDR Variations to candidature policy.

I withdrew from my program without applying for an extension and now I want to re-enrol to submit my thesis, will I be charged?

If you withdrew on or after your original course EWS date, yes, when you apply to re-enrol to submit your thesis you will be charged the iOOT $2000 fee and be given three months in which to finalise and submit your thesis. If you submit in the first month the fee will be reversed, and you will not have to pay.

I am a cotutelle candidate, will I have to pay?

Yes, cotutelle and joint PhD candidates who apply for an extension will be subject to the $2000 iOOT fee on application for a three-month extension of EWS date.

Will the fee apply when I am completing my thesis corrections?

No, if you are completing thesis corrections following an examination outcome of Award with Corrections you will not be charged tuition fees and you will not be required to pay the iOOT fee.

I have been asked to revise and resubmit my thesis, what fees will I have to pay?

You will not be required to pay full tuition fees for the period of enrolment for revision and resubmission of the thesis. However, you will be charged the iOOT fee for each three months of enrolment (4 × iOOT = $8000).

Funding opportunities

Opportunities are available for scholarship funding.

The University offers a limited number of scholarships to international MRes students through the competitive IRTP (International Research Training Program) scholarship round each year.

  • Applicants for admission to PhD who are offered entry to MRes Year 2 and three-year PhD, and who rank competitively for IRTP scholarship, may be offered a scholarship to cover their MRes Year 2 tuition fees and a living stipend.
  • PhD scholarships for MRes graduates progressing to a PhD are awarded through a competitive ranking process. The three-year PhD scholarship covers the tuition fee and a living stipend at the rate of the Research Training Program (RTP).

Learn more about scholarships for international MRes and progressing candidates.

Macquarie University has also partnered with specific overseas universities to provide co-funded scholarships to eligible international MRes applicants.

Candidates are encouraged to apply for advertised scholarships.

Scholarships for graduate research at Macquarie University are available for specific projects or in the general scholarship main rounds.

Learn more about scholarships for international PhD/MPhil candidates.