International Research Students
Make a Positive Impact with a Research Higher Degree
Our research is driven by the desire to make positive changes. If you are passionate about an idea that will create lasting positive changes, we want to help you bring it to life.
Whatever your research interest may be, we aim to support you in working alongside the community, industry and end users to understand the problems, and together, we uncover solutions that are innovative, sustainable and accessible.
Turn your idea into a practical solution that makes an impact. Start your research journey today.
It is important that you research area of interest aligns with our research focus areas and strengths. This ensures we have appropriate supervisors to guide and support you effectively.
Start your research journey by exploring our supervised research focus areas below where you can make a significant contribution to knowledge. You will also find research professional practice options aligned to specific industry, skills or experience.
- Clean energy systems – hydrogen, solar and biofuels; microgrids and social licence to operate
- Food Production and Environmental Systems – precision livestock and horticulture; agricultural education and extension; marine ecosystems
- Rural and regional public health – patient care, aged care, simulation studies, health quality and safety
- Sustainable business, supply chains and regional economies
- Data Science – artificial intelligence, machine learning and big data
- Regional workforce, employment and education – employee attraction/retention, distance-based learning and educational technologies
- Regional communities – psychosocial wellbeing and the arts
- First Nations research
CQU has emerged as a research powerhouse, here's why:
- eight research centres and two research institutes
- #74 worldwide for sustainability (THE University Impact Rankings 2023)
- $124+ million in competitive research income 2018-2023
- 800+ annual peer reviewed research publications
- 418 active researchers.
Scholarships
New international students commencing at CQU for the first time will be eligible for the International Merit Scholarship valued up to 25% of your course fee.
Other scholarships that you could be eligible for include the government-funded Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend Scholarship and the Australia Awards Scholarships. The Australia Awards Scholarships are usually open at the start of the year. Please check the official government website for opening and closing dates.
Funding
| Research Support | Visitation Fund | |
|---|---|---|
| GradSearchResearch | None | None |
| PhD by Portfolio | $4 000 | None |
| Masters | $7 000 | None |
| PhD, Prof Doc, EdDoc | $10 500 | None |
| PhD Offshore | $4 500 | $6 000 |
| Masters Offshore | $3 000 | $4 000 |
A Graduate Certificate in Research is available to help you step through to a masters by research or a doctoral degree if you do not meet the direct eligibility requirements. You will have the opportunity to customise the content to align with your professional background and/or research interests. Upon completion, you'll have the option to seamlessly transition into a RHD at CQU or another university.
If you need to improve your English language proficiency, you could also study an English language course with our CQUEnglish Language Centre to prepare you to succeed in your research field.
In addition to direct funding support, CQU offers other support areas as below:
- RHD mentor group to assist with transition into research studies
- International Case Management Officer for scholarship holders
- BYOD (Bring your own device) model for free access to research-specific software, and Education Discount rates on personal computing equipment purchases from JB HiFi
- Free career training programs
- Support and training in English for Research
- Group training and one-on-one consultations in research statistics
- Legal Support Scheme (to access professional advice before signing a Deed of Assignment)
- Profile page with project and career details on official website.
Transcript
What I most love about research is that we have different challenges and we are paving the way for a sustainable agriculture.
My name is Maisa Pereira and I'm a Master of Research student in agriculture at CQU.
So, my research is about benchmarking methods of free sizing, so I'm working on different methods available of sizing on trees, and also the growth models that involves the mangoes in Australia, and how this impacts the marketing and man management data of growers.
What I most enjoy about being a Master of Research student is that I'm involved in every step of my research. So for example, I work here at the office implement, talking about the design of my trials, and then I go to the field and talk with the growers.
And I'm every day there, working on my my results and this is very fulfilling and has been shaping my motivation.
So, when I first started, my initial thoughts was this would impact only mango growers but after finishing all the results and being in touch with growers in different areas, I realised this would impact uh the agriculture in general and also the sustainability of uh the chain.
I was fortunate to receive two scholarships to support my studies, and with that I gained 100% focus on my research.
I've been very lucky to be proudly an international ambassador, which I consider as a casual job, uh provided by CQUniversity.
The best thing about CQU is the welcoming environment. I feel so lucky that that since I arrived here the first week just like I was, I didn't know anyone, and everybody that I met that week was very welcoming and they you want to know more about me, the research that I've been conducting, and the the friendly environment here is really something that you feel ah embraced to be here.
What I think what makes CQU campus here in Rockhampton very special, uh is the open spaces. Ah Reminds me a lot of my university in Brazil and but what makes uh it really, really special are the kangaroos! They are always here.
So if you're thinking about starting studying here at CQU, especially with the Master of Research program, uh, don't be shy to to, uh, meet new people, explore the campus and the opportunities that CQU provide.
I'm looking forward to meet you in our research community at CQU.
- “
I enjoy being involved in every step of my research – from talking about the design of my trials, going to the field, talking with the growers and working on my results. This is very fulfilling and shapes my motivation.
Maisa Pereira
Master of Research I Brazil
“I chose a PhD in linguistics because I want to be an expert in the area, especially in academic writing. My supervisors are open to new ideas, adaptable to new situations and providing clear guidance on projects and clarifying misunderstandings.
Sojuangon Rambe
English for Academic Purposes 3, Graduate Certificate of Research, PhD I Indonesia
“I chose CQU because of their high-quality research, accessible education, and the growing interest of industry partners in collaborative work to address the crop yield issues caused by multiple abiotic and biotic stresses. There is a great cultural mix at CQU with a very friendly environment.
Sobia Ikram
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) I Pakistan
WHY CHOOSE CQU
A World of Support
CQU offers a range of academic and financial support programs to help RHD candidates succeed.
World-class Research
22 areas ranked 'at', 'above', or 'well above' world standards.
Focus on Impact
We focus on research that directly impacts the industries and communities we serve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Research Higher Degree applications may be submitted at any time of the year. The commencement date for candidature will be negotiated between the candidate and the University, and may be reliant on resources or supervisor availability.
All international candidates must apply via iStart with an Expression of Interest which asks you to select your course and location, along with providing a brief description of your proposed research topic. Expression of Interest and research proposal must be submitted by the prospective candidate.
Depending upon the outcome of your Expression of Interest and research proposal, you may be invited to submit a full application for admission as a research higher degree candidate. The University reserves the right to refuse admission to any applicant.
Yes. During the application, you will be able to indicate if you would like to apply for an International Student Scholarship, which is funded by CQU and available to new students undertaking a research higher degree, as well as other courses in undergraduate and postgraduate coursework levels.
For all other RHD scholarships such as the RTP Stipend Scholarship, you must use the research scholarship online application form. Please check what is available on the Research Scholarships page or email sgr@cqu.edu.au with any queries. These RHD scholarship rounds are only open twice a year.
A research proposal is required to provide more information to the research abstract that you provided when you submitted your Expression of Interest (EOI) via iStart.
Here are some guidelines to help you prepare your proposal:
- What is your research project title? (max 30 words)
- Background to the proposed research and research question/s to be investigated. (max 500 words)
- What is the anticipated significance and/or impact of the proposed research? (max 200 words)
- What research methods will you use to undertake the proposed research? (max 300 words)
- What are the intended timelines to undertake the proposed research? (max 100 words)
- What resources, facilities, equipment, fieldwork will be required to undertake the proposed research? (max 200 words)
- What are the intended research outputs and contribution to research culture (max 300 words).
Please keep your proposal to no longer than 5 pages in length.
If you don’t yet meet the admissions requirements for a Research Higher Degree, our Graduate Certificate in Research can provide an alternative pathway for you to reach your research goals.
First, try to resolve the issue by talking with your supervisor(s).
If that doesn’t work – or if you feel uncomfortable about doing that – then please contact the School of Graduate Research by emailing sgr@cqu.edu.au. For confidential/particularly sensitive queries, students are welcome to contact the School’s Manager, Kath Milostic (k.milostic@cqu.edu.au) or Dean Susan Kinnear (s.kinnear@cqu.edu.au).
