Are you completing your degree with a major relevant to microbiology, immunology, pathology or infection & immunity and want to find out about further study opportunities at the University of Melbourne in 2025 and beyond? View highlights below from our 2025 Doherty Institute Student Information Session and read our FAQ below.
Hear first-hand experiences from current Doherty Institute graduate researchers
The following are general answers to frequently asked questions, but applicants are advised to refer to the University of Melbourne official information below and should direct all specific entry requirements questions via the indicated → Enquire sections:
Yes
Honours: Honours and Masters of Biomedical Science (Microbiology & Immunology) (unimelb.edu.au)
Masters: Biomedical Science Inclusion and Diversity Scholarship and Biomedical Sciences Graduate Scholarship
Plus there may be other general University scholarships that you are eligible for.
Honours: No. Honours is an undergraduate program and so is not part of Graduate Access Melbourne
Master of Biomedical Science: Yes as indicated here
For domestic Honours students, an optional internship is a possibility.
Yes
Both Honours and Masters students complete BIOM40001 Introduction To Biomedical Research
Yes they do via:
No. While some students like to start their Honours or Masters study immediately after completing their degree, others benefit from a gap year or two – this is an individual choice.
Note: to satisfy Honours entry requirements your degree must have been completed within the last 10 years.
No. A life sciences major is required and while your undergraduate studies need to be relevant to your proposed research project, they do not have to be in the exact same area. For example, entry into an immunology research project does not require an immunology major but requires a major related to the biological or biomedical sciences.
However, depending on the project, some specific majors/backgrounds are required/preferred and you should establish this during communication with your prospective supervisor(s).
For full entry requirements information, see links above.
Show you have read about their research and explain why this interests you & relates to what you have already studied and learnt.
Also, we have over 200 Doherty Institute graduate researchers undertaking a PhD or Masters by research.
You should apply for the one course that you want.
Honours: Deferral of your MDHS Honours offer is unfortunately not possible unless you have compelling circumstances. You are instead advised to reapply when your circumstances allow it. Please note that there is no guarantee that the same project will be available in a subsequent admissions period, therefore, you may need to look for a new project.
Master of Biomedical Science: Students are able to defer their offer to the following intake or year provided the project will be available for that extended period of time. Students will need to speak with their supervisor to discuss whether deferral is available and will need written consent from their supervisor, supporting the deferral request. This endorsement should be uploaded to their deferral application.
Work experience is not required to satisfy entry requirements and most students commence their course without any work or internship experience. However, if you have completed relevant work experience or an internship, you can outline this in your introductory email to your prospective supervisor(s).
This is unlikely, as students generally need to be enrolled in a PhD to be considered for department employment opportunities.
Yes and a number of students do work part-time. However, time management is critical and it is essential to discuss this with your supervisor prior to commencement.
All degree subjects
Send a concise email which includes:
The day-to-day time commitment will vary depending on the subjects chosen (for Masters), the semester/stage of the course and the requirements of the research project within each lab. Overall however, the time commitment is roughly equivalent to that of a full-time 9am-5pm job.
Honours
Master of Biomedical Science
Most students are based within or very close to The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity
Some students may be based in external institutes as indicated here
Visit our dedicated research projects page to browse current offerings.
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