Apply for the BITS-RMIT PhD Program

• All applications are initially reviewed to assess eligibility.
• Suitable applicants may be shortlisted
• Some shortlisted candidates may be invited for an interview as part of the process. An interview or shortlisting does not indicate that an offer will be made.
• All shortlisted applicants will be reviewed by multiple university committees before potentially progressing to the next stage. and then possibly progressed to the next stage.
• Please be aware that this process is a high-level academic assessment and is not a comprehensive compliance or regulatory requirements check by our compliance team, this check happens in Stage 2.

In stage 1 you will be asked to confirm that you have:

• carefully read and understood the PhD eligibility requirements
• you agree and acknowledge that you meet all the eligibility criteria for admission into the PhD program
• you will comply with the application requirements and timelines.

Only applicants who successfully complete Stage 1 will be invited to formally apply.

At this stage, applicants are required to submit all necessary documentation and meet strict eligibility criteria and deadlines. Please note that if at any point an applicant fails to meet the required standards or timelines, the invitation to apply / joint conditional offer may be withdrawn.

We strongly encourage all applicants to carefully review the application requirements and timelines to ensure they are fully prepared for each stage of the process.

Important information about the process and your role

In Stage 2 you will be invited to formally apply to both universities. Please note that each university uses a separate application system, which is different from the one used in Stage 1. Therefore, you will need to upload your documents again, along with some additional documents as specified.

As you are applying for an international placement, there are strict regulatory requirements that must be followed. Therefore, deadlines cannot be extended, making it very important to submit all required documents on time.

You may find the differing university application processes or terminology a little confusing. This is because the RMIT system serves all RMIT applicants across various programs — not just the BITS-RMIT PhD program — so some steps may feel repetitive or unrelated to your current stage.

Please do not worry. If you already have your joint conditional offer and you can submit all required documents within the given timeframe, you will be on track to meet the requirements successfully.

Required documents

We recommend reading all instructions carefully and preparing your documents in advance to ensure a smooth process.

Application timeline

We understand that the application requirements may seem demanding, and you may feel the need to seek clarification or request extensions. However, due to the high number of applications and limited staffing, the admissions team is unable to respond to individual queries or special requests.

Please be aware that you may not receive a response if you send emails seeking exemptions or assistance with completing your application. It is also important to note that involving your academic supervisors, faculty members, or administrative staff outside the admissions team is not appropriate, as they are unable to influence the outcome of your application.

We kindly urge you to carefully review all instructions, requirements, and deadlines provided. It is your responsibility to ensure that your application is complete and that all required documentation is submitted according to the specified guidelines.

Please understand that both universities must comply with government regulations regarding international students; therefore, no exceptions to the stated requirements or timelines can be granted.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

If you are still completing a qualification, upload a provisional degree certificate or a document from your institution confirming your current status.

Once completed, you must submit your final transcript and any examiners’ reports (if applicable).

Certified grading schema

Include an explanation of the scoring system (minimum and maximum grades), clearly indicating the passing threshold. This can be satisfied by providing the University with a grading scale from your institution(s).

Upload scanned copy of your certified official academic transcripts (and their translated documents where applicable) to the RMIT admissions application portal.

What to provide

Submit scanned copies of your official academic transcripts for all completed qualifications. Your transcripts must:

• Show all courses/units attempted, with marks and grades achieved
• Include dates corresponding to the completed degree
• Contain the grading schema (usually printed on the back of the transcript) or provide a link to it on your institution’s website

You must also submit:

• Degree certificates/testamurs from the awarding institution for all completed qualifications

Translation requirements

If your academic records are not in English, you must provide a certified English translation.

• Preferred translations are from NAATI-qualified translators or an official translation service.

Currently completing a qualification

If you are still completing your degree, upload:

• A provisional degree certificate, or
• An official letter from your institution confirming your enrolment and current status

Once your qualification is awarded, you must also submit:

• Your final transcript
• Any examiners’ reports (if applicable)

For ungraded Research Masters

If you completed an ungraded Research Masters, you must provide:

• Examiners’ reports
• Academic transcript (if available)

Certification

All academic documents must be certified copies. Each page must be stamped, signed, and dated by an approved certifier, with a statement confirming the original has been sighted.

When you apply through a RMIT registered agent, they will send certified documents to RMIT University directly- so they may work with you on certifying documents as part of your application.

See What is a certified document?

Identification

Scanned copy of a valid certified identification document with your photo (passport or equivalent).

Prospective candidates must apply using their full legal name (as reflected in their passport) or a valid identification document

Any relevant papers or publications you have authored, including conference papers and peer-reviewed journal articles.

Your CV must clearly state the start and end dates and country for all education, employment, and research activities.

You may also include details of:

• Scholarships and awards
• Relevant employment
• Publications, exhibitions, or performances

Supporting documentation may include:

• Proof of acceptance or publication of a peer-reviewed article or book/book chapter
• Copies of conference abstracts
• Front pages (including the contents page) for each publication.

Research proposal: Add your project proposal of the Project you have been offered.

• In the ‘Proposed Research’ field, enter your project title as “Developing a threat model for organisations through a gamified approach to thwart phishing attacks.”
• You will also be required to provide the names of academic staff who have agreed to supervise your proposed research. The nominated supervisors are listed as follows:
  • RMIT Supervisors: Nalin Asanka Gamagedara Arachchilage;
  • BITS Supervisors: Jagat Sesh Challa;
• Please attach the email as proof of supervisory support.
• Select ‘Yes’ in the ‘Scholarship & Sponsorship’ field. To submit a supporting document for financial guarantee, please attach your invitational offer from BITS-Pilani.

Any relevant papers or publications you have authored, including conference papers and peer-reviewed journal articles.

For Indian applicants: As India is not considered an English-speaking country, you must provide evidence of your English proficiency.

You will need to submit a certified English Proficiency Certificate or other proof of English language ability if English is not your first language.

Note: “English as a first language” applies to citizens of countries where English is the primary language. You can check if your country qualifies on RMIT’s recognised qualifications page.

How to meet English language proficiency requirements

Accepted language proficiency tests:

• Tests must have been taken within the last 2 years.
• View the full list of RMIT accepted tests and score requirements.

Instructions to check program-specific requirements

1. Visit the Research Programs
2. Scroll to “Choose a study area” and select your relevant area.
3. On the new page, scroll to “Explore our [discipline] courses and disciplines” and click your discipline.
4. In “Choose a [discipline] course”, select International Students. If a pop-up appears saying “You’re viewing program information for local students,” click “Switch to international content.”
5. Select the specific program you are applying for (e.g., PhD (Architecture & Design)).
6. On the course information page, locate the “EXPLORE” menu on the right side. Click Admissions to go to entry requirements.
7. Click the fourth tab labeled “English language requirements” to see your program’s accepted English tests and minimum scores.

OR

1. Completion of a postgraduate qualification from an accredited university or institution where:
2. English was the medium of instruction and assessment, and
3. The final year of study was completed within the five years immediately before commencing study at RMIT University.

Note: You must provide an official letter from your university confirming that English was the medium of instruction.

OR

1. Completion of at least two years of university study (full-time or part-time equivalent) at an accredited university or institution where:
2. English was the medium of instruction and assessment, and
3. The final year of study was completed within the two years immediately prior to commencing at RMIT University.

Note: You must provide an official letter from your university confirming that English was the medium of instruction.

OR

1. Evidence of professional experience and/or academic publications in English, which may include:
2. At least two years of continuous work immediately prior to commencing at RMIT in a country where English is an official language, or
3. Authorship or co-authorship of at least two English-language, peer-reviewed journal articles or a book chapter written and published in English within the three years prior to commencing at RMIT.

Note: You must provide copies of all relevant published papers.

Applicants of Other Nationalities

Please refer to the RMIT Recognised Qualifications page for detailed information on meeting the English language requirements for entry into the RMIT–BITS Pilani joint program

You may be called on to provide a statement of purpose (SOP) document if you are from a sanctioned country or has been flagged by the Department of Home Affairs.

A Statement of Purpose (SOP) outlining the reason for wanting to apply for this program at RMIT University. Your SOP must also include the reasons you want to study this program.

You must use the Genuine Student Requirement Statement of Purpose template provided in the documents tab of your applicant portal. Once all sections have been answered, attach the completed and signed SOP to your application.

You should demonstrate detailed knowledge of the program, why it interests you and how you believe it will benefit your future. Please also include why you believe studying this program in Australia is more beneficial than studying it in your home country.

The SOP should also include a declaration that you have access to sufficient finances to cover the cost of tuition and living expenses for the duration of your program.

When is a student visa required?

• Later in the process, you will be required to apply for a student visa to visit Australia.
• This will require a passport.
• Refer to the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs for further information. Once you have been made a formal offer from RMIT and know the dates you will come to Australia, you can apply for the visa.

Please do not assume your copy of an original document is sufficient. We require a  certified copy of each of your original documents to be scanned and submitted for your application.

To submit a copy of a document, you need to get a trusted person to verify that the copy you’re providing is an accurate reflection of the original. They would do this by sighting the original document, checking that the copy aligns to the original, then certifying each page (this is important) of the documentation.

They should do this by making each page of the copy includes:

• a statement or a stamp that shows the certifier has seen the original documents by using words like ‘certified true copy of the original’ or ‘original sighted’
• the date
• the certifier’s:
• signature
• full name
• organisation stamp
• position title (unless the certifier is a RMIT-registered agent).

For documents submitted from outside Australia, the following people are trusted:

• solicitor
• commissioner for declarations
• government official
• public notary
• university staff from your previous university/ (head of department, dean, registrar or other authorised delegate of the university that issued the documentation).

Documents certified by:

• RMIT staff members or RMIT-registered agents are accepted
• Only documents generated by BITS Pilani may be certified by BITS Pilani staff

RMIT University follows the Australian Government – Department of Education assessment guidelines when interpreting overseas higher education qualifications and other relevant credentials. These guidelines compare overseas qualifications to the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).

The guidelines are informed by the learning outcomes of Australian qualifications. Under the Higher Education Framework, the classification of universities in different sections of the guidelines is primarily based on the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) accreditation ratings. The NAAC list of accredited institutions includes each institution’s scores and accreditation reports, which support the assigned ratings.

RMIT uses the NAAC’s descriptive categories for accredited institutions:

• Very Good institutions (Country Education Profile (CEP) S1)
• Good institutions (CEP S2)
• Satisfactory institutions (CEP S3)

For this program only CEP Section 1 and 2 universities are considered eligible;

Only higher education institutions recognised by the University Grants Commission are included in our higher education guidelines.

Section 1 institutions – Very good institutions

Qualifications are assessed at face value. This group of institutions includes:

• All institutions accredited by NAAC with a rating of A in the current system (from 2007), A, A+ or A++ in the previous system, or A***** (5*) in the original system. These are institutions rated as Very Good, scoring highly on the prescribed criteria
• Outstanding institutions, including:
  • Institutions of National Importance, including the various Indian Institutes of Technology
  • Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore and the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research
• Consistently high quality institutions
  • Established specialist and/or postgraduate institutes and universities
  • Established central universities
• Larger affiliating universities.

Section 2 – Good institutions

Qualifications awarded with good grades are assessed at face value. Final grades have been used as a basis for upgrading assessment outcomes for both undergraduate and postgraduate awards. A (3-year) Bachelor Degree awarded in the Second Division/Class is usually the minimum requirement for entry to postgraduate programs at Indian universities. Grading of exams and mark distribution is reasonably consistent across institutions.

This group of institutions includes:

• All institutions accredited by NAAC with a rating of B in the current system (from 2007), or B, B+ or B++ in the previous system, or A**** (4*)-A***** (5*) in the original system. These are institutions rated as good, scoring above the minimum on the prescribed criteria
• Institutions with some high quality programs
• Institutions with consistently good programs

Section 3 institutions – Satisfactory institutions

Qualifications awarded with good grades may be assessed at face value, but a higher level of academic achievement is required compared with section 2 institutions. Final grades have been used as a basis for upgrading assessment outcomes. A (3-year) Bachelor Degree awarded in the First Division/Class or First Division/Class with Distinction is required for Australian Bachelor Degree comparability, as this group of institutions may not be of uniform quality when compared to those listed in Section 2.

This group of institutions include:

• All institutions accredited by NAAC with a rating of C in the current system C, C+ or C++, in the previous system, or A* (1*), A** (2*), or A*** (3*) in the original system. These are institutions rated as average, scoring in the minimum range on the prescribed criteria
• Institutions with average quality programs
• New institutions, including:
  • Institutions not accredited by NAAC

Institutions recently awarded deemed university status.

Sample Institutions

Section 1 Universities

Reputed central institutions, IITs, NITs, and highly ranked public/state universities with strong academic and research profiles.

Examples (likely Section 1):

• Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore
• Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs)
• Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)
• University of Delhi (DU)
• University of Hyderabad
• Jadavpur University
• Banaras Hindu University (BHU)

Section 2 Universities

Recognised state public universities or private institutions with moderate academic standing and quality assurance, but not considered elite by international comparison.

Examples (likely Section 2):

• Amity University
• SRM Institute of Science and Technology
• Lovely Professional University
• Christ University
• PES University
• Manipal University

Section 3 Universities

Typically lesser-known private colleges or institutions with limited academic output or weak regulatory oversight. Applicants from these may face higher entry hurdles or be ineligible for research programs at some Australian institutions.