Apply for the BITS-RMIT PhD Program

Information required to submit your application

You will need to prepare some documents before you commence your application. 

1. Select your projects

• • Search for a suitable project for the next commencement.
  • Make a note of the Project codes for those you would like to apply for (eg. BITSRMIT123456). 
  • Shortlist up to two projects (you do not need to apply for both, this is optional). 

2. Prepare a statement of purpose (SOP)

You will need one statement of purpose for each project you are interested in applying for. Ensure you target the specific project.  Include the following in your statement: 

• • What motivated you to apply for this project.
  • Share your capabilities and how they are a great fit for this project. 
  • Share how you would address the requirements of the project. 
  • Additional requirements may be specified by the project – please read and understand these in the project details and include in your SOP. 

Your SOP should be submitted as a PDF or word document, 1 page only, max 500 words. 

3. Prepare supporting documents

• • C.V. (Please include research experience, publications, awards/prizes). 
  • Academic transcripts. 
  • Entrance certifications: GATE Certificate, UGC-NET, CSIR, ICAR, ICMR, DST-INSPIRE. 
  • Any relevant papers/publications you have authored. 
  • Any other relevant documents in support of your application. 
  • Statement of purpose including project proposal (One for each project applied for) (PDF). 

All documents should be PDF, max 4MB per document. If you experience issues uploading documents, contact us at enquiry-bitsrmitphd@pilani.bits-pilani.ac.in. 

4. English language requirements

Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the minimum English language requirements for their chosen program in the Entry Requirements section of the program summary, available in our Study with Us section.

For details on how to meet the English language requirements, please visit: English language proficiency tests for international students

As per the RMIT English language proficiency procedure clause 20 and 21:

(20) Applicants from recognised English speaking countries meet minimum English language entry requirements when they meet program academic entry requirements based on a qualification that was taught and assessed entirely in English.

(21) Applicants for HDR programs who are not from an English speaking country can demonstrate English language proficiency by the following:

1. 1.  A postgraduate qualification from an accredited university or institution where:
      1.  English was the medium of instruction and assessment of study, and
      2.  the final year of university study was completed during the five years immediately prior to the commencement of study at RMIT University.
   2.  Successful completion of at least two years of full-time (or part-time equivalent) university study from an accredited university or institution where:
      1.  English was the medium of instruction and assessment of study, and
      2.  the final year of university study was undertaken during the two years immediately prior to commencement at RMIT.
   3.  Evidence of professional experience and/or academic publications in English, such as:
      1.  sustained work for two years immediately prior to commencement at RMIT in a country where English is an official language.
      2.  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 commencement at RMIT.

5. Visa for Australia

• • You will be required to apply for a student visa to visit Australia.
  • 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. 

What happens after submission of application?

The following is a high-level summary of the application process:

• Applicant applies for 1 or 2 projects on Portal.
• Successful applicants are invited to Interview #1 with supervisor.
• Successful applicants are invited to submit an RMIT EOI.
• Successful applicants are invited to Interview #2 with the BITS Selection committee.
• Additional successful applicants are invited to submit an RMIT EOI.
• The final successful applicants receive a BITS and RMIT Conditional Offer.

The following provides further details of this process:

1. Interview #1 – Supervisors

Successful applicants will be invited to attend a first-round interview with supervisors from BITS and RMIT. The interview will be held online via Microsoft Teams or Google Meet.

Successful first-round interviewees will be invited to a second-round interview with the Selection committee. Unsuccessful applicants will exit the process.

Successful first-round interviewees will be invited to apply for an Expression of Interest from RMIT. This is not an offer, but an opportunity to add your details to the RMIT system for further assessment.

2. Interview #2 – Selection committee

Successful first-round interviewees will attend a second interview with the selection committee. The interview will be held online via Microsoft teams or Google meet.

Successful second-round interviewees will receive a joint congratulatory letter to progress to formally apply via the RMIT and BITS admission systems. This letter will contain all the details of this process.

3. Apply into the individual RMIT and BITS admission systems

Your position will only be guaranteed after successfully providing all the required documentation within the given timelines to ensure you are registered on the RMIT and BITS admission systems.

Please note, the formal application process is lengthy, so we encourage all students to apply as soon as possible to facilitate the timely processing of applications.

Successful candidates into the BITS-RMIT program will first be issued a conditional offer upon meeting the requirements set out below:

• • Provision of official documents confirming successful completion of the equivalent coursework requirements (i.e. 6 months (equivalent to 1 semester of course-work) or 12 months (min. of 2 semesters of course-work- depending on candidate’s pathway into the program).
  • Provision of official document from BITS confirming the completion of qualifying examinations.

Candidates can apply for a change of location to onshore at RMIT Melbourne post confirmation of candidature.  Students are required to provide proof of successful confirmation of candidature as part of their application process.

Other factors that may impact the timing of your study visit to RMIT university, Australia will depend on the nature of your research project, the needs of your research and the views of your co-supervisors.

To apply for a change of location, please refer to the information on our RMIT candidature management website under “Changes to candidature”.