Program summary

Award abbreviation: PhD
Degree type: higher degree by research
Study mode: internal, external
Duration: 3 years expected, 4 years maximum full-time; 6 years expected, 8 years maximum part-time
Fee type 2011: domestic higher degree by research places, international fee-paying places 
Commencement: can apply and start throughout the year, subject to program requirements
Doctor of Philosophy (Arts) CRICOS code: 070699B
Doctor of Philosophy (Business) CRICOS code: 070700C
Doctor of Philosophy (Science) CRICOS code: 070698C

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is an advanced research program that fosters the development of independent research skills, scholarly analysis and an ability to communicate research findings.

The University of the Sunshine Coast has a team of enthusiastic and experienced academics able to provide supervision across a broad range of research areas. Prospective applicants wishing to undertake a PhD will need to find a suitable supervisor by contacting the relevant faculty or the Office of Research.

Admission requirements

Candidates for the award of Doctor of Philosophy are normally required to hold:

• a bachelors degree with Honours Class 1 or Class 2 Division I from a recognised higher education institution

      or

• a research masters degree or coursework masters degree with a significant research component equivalent to honours degree research component from a recognised higher education institution

      or

• a bachelors degree from a recognised higher education institution and achieved by subsequent work and study a standard equivalent to at least Honours Class 2 Division I as may be approved by the committee

      or

• a record of research or professional qualifications deemed by the committee to be of a standard equivalent to at least Bachelors Honours Class 2 Division I (eg for “merit honours” graduates) and providing a suitable background for the doctoral research the candidate is proposing to undertake In exceptional cases applications may be considered on the basis of other evidence of general and professional qualifications as approved by the Research Degrees Committee.

International students need to refer to the University’s English language proficiency requirements.

Program structure

The Doctor of Philosophy is the main Doctoral degree offered by this University. It is awarded solely on the basis of a thesis produced under supervision that makes an original, significant and extensive contribution to knowledge in the relevant field of study, as judged by independent experts applying accepted contemporary international standards.

As a candidate for the Doctor of Philosophy, you may be required to undertake study, such as a research methodology course or other specified courses, seminars or reading activities, in addition to and as a support for your research. Where such activities are required, they shall be specified as a condition of candidature by the Committee and undertaken under the direction of the relevant Dean. The Dean is required to advise the Committee that the additional requirements have been satisfactorily completed.

Alternative thesis presentation

Doctoral candidates may be permitted to present a collection of thematically linked research articles in lieu of a thesis. This approach may only be pursued with the advance permission of the Committee at the time of confirmation. The research articles must be based wholly on research undertaken by the candidate during their candidature for the Doctoral degree. The number and type of research articles and the form in which they are to be presented for examination will be specified.

Program requirements and notes

1. Prospective applicants wishing to undertake a PhD will need to find a suitable supervisor by contacting the relevant Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Business or Science, Health and Education.
2. For further information, refer to the Doctoral Degrees - Governing Policy.
3. Refer to related policies, rules, plans and procedures.
4. Refer to the research areas for the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Business and Science, Health and Education.

Enrolment and fees

1. In any semester, full-time enrolment comprises 0.500 EFTSL **
2. In any semester, part-time enrolment comprises 0.250 EFTSL **
3. The census date for withdrawal without financial penalty or academic penalty is the Semester 1 or 2 census date.
4. Candidates pay full tuition fees. For selected students these fees are covered by the Research Training Scheme. These scholarships are allocated by faculties, in consultation with the Research Degrees Committee.

** EFTSL - Equivalent Full-Time Student Load. One year of full-time study equates to 1.000 EFTSL.

Application forms

• Domestic HDR Application Form (Word 564KB)
• International HDR Application Form (PDF 342KB) ^
• International HDR Application Form (Word 636KB)

^ For PDF documents you must have the free Adobe Acrobat Reader, which can be downloaded from the Adobe Download page.

Enquiries

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Dr Peter Innes
Coordinator, Research
Tel: +61 7 5459 4802
Email: pinnes@usc.edu.au

Faculty of Business
Associate Professor Don Kerr
Coordinator, Research
Tel: +61 7 5459 4860
Email: dkerr@usc.edu.au

Faculty of Science, Health and Education
Dr Fraser Russell
Faculty HDR Coordinator
Tel: +61 7 5459 4665
Email: frussell@usc.edu.au

Teaching and Research Services
Research Training Officer
Tel: +61 7 5459 4526
Fax: +61 7 5430 1177
Email: lkroker@usc.edu.au

Back to top