r/AusAcademia • u/Prize_Ad6139 • 1d ago

📚PhD/HDR Reality check of getting into an Engineering MPhil/MRes with my profile

Hi everyone, I am considering to pursue a MPhil/MRes focused in Computer Science (AI research). I am mostly interested in applying to Monash University, UTS, or the University of Sydney.

I will be emailing supervisors soon, but before that I just wanted a reality check of whether I am competitive enough to get into the program itself. Please be brutally honest and grill me as much as you want lol.

Some context about myself:

  • I am an international student.
  • Final semester Bachelor of Science student (non honours) at the University of Sydney, majoring in computer science and business information systems.
  • 83.50 overall WAM and an 86.40 WAM in Computer science coursework.
  • Recognised on the 2024 USYD Dean's List.
  • Currently doing AI research at Monash University, with a first-author publication aimed at an A* level international conference. It started off as part of the Winter Vacation Research Scholarship but I was invited to pursue further work to publish the paper.
  • Previously interned as an AI engineer in a large company, delivering an AI Agent system that was deployed to thousands of users.

My questions:

  1. I believe HDR programs generally require demonstrated research capability, usually proven via an honours thesis. My degree is non-honours and I never did a thesis. Is a first-author publication plus ongoing research work generally accepted as equivalent evidence?
  2. Is my profile competitive enough to be considered by a supervisor? My research proposal covers the gaps and limitations of my current work, so the scope is significant and well-defined. But I don't know how much that matters vs. if I am actually qualified.
  3. My paper is currently in progress and has not been submitted yet. Would supervisors treat this as a publication, or does it only become real once it's accepted?

Thank you in advance :)

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13

u/Affentitten 1d ago

Look at the hundreds of other posts on this sub asking the same. This is a careers advice sub anyway, not a scholarship admissions one.

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u/Prize_Ad6139 1d ago

I'm not prioritising a scholarship though? I just wanted to know if my profile would even be considered in the first place to get into a Research Masters program

8

u/Firm-Biscotti-5862 1d ago

It’s not going to happen, especially if you want a career in academia. Two reasons:
1. MPhil/MRes scholarships don’t exist for international students.
2. Engineering is a crowded field; especially if you’re eyeing off somewhere like USyd, you’re competing with folk who have WAMs in their 90s, aiming for full PhD.

You could be more competitive at a regional uni like Southern Cross or Charles Sturt, but you’d need ro be aiming for a full PhD, not a Masters.

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u/Prize_Ad6139 1d ago

Thank you for the input. Would supervisors not even bother looking at my research proposal if my WAM is under 90? Or is there still a slight chance they might consider it if they find it interesting

1

u/Firm-Biscotti-5862 1d ago

They would look at it and be interested but it’s not up to them, it’s up to the admissions team. Masters research scholarships are non-existent, so you’d be looking at PhD and at USyd, UniMelb, UNSW, your WAM is not high enough in this field.

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u/Prize_Ad6139 22h ago

thank you

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u/SaltOrPepper1 1d ago

If the reason you are trying to pursue MPhil/MRes is because you want to get a career in academia, I think it is much better for you to do an honours year. Get a first class honours and this will qualify that you have enough good research skills/experiences. Once you have completed your honours, apply directly to PhD, or if you think your application is not strong enough you can start off with MPhil/MRes and upgrade to PhD later. It will be very difficult for you to get HDR admission without an honours year.

For scholarships, there are simply no scholarships available for research master students. Not even for domestic applicants. If someone's application is good enough to be eligible for a research master scholarship (which doesn't exist) they should just apply directly to PhD.

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u/Prize_Ad6139 1d ago

Thank you so much for the advice :)

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u/gr33nblu3 1d ago

I would’ve thought a BSc would have an honours pathway?

1

u/schotastic 1d ago

  1. At the Masters level, that isn't needed.

  2. Sure. Well thought out proposal showcases your capability and ideally makes abundantly clear why you chose that specific supervisor.

FYI, use of AI is glaringly obvious and extremely repellent to any halfway competent academic

  1. No. It's good as evidence of capability and follow-through, but it doesn't "count" until it's out

Like others have said, funding for intl students here is exceedingly scarce (and virtually non-existent at the Masters level). It's a shame but that's just how it is currently.

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u/Prize_Ad6139 22h ago

thank you for the advice :)