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How to get a PhD

Study tips Published 5 Apr, 2022  ·  4-minute read

Trying to wrap your head around how PhD programs work? We don’t blame you. Sometimes it feels like you need a PhD just to figure out how to get a PhD.

So, with a little help from our academics and some UQ PhD candidates, we’ve broken down the application and preparation process into 10 manageable steps:

• Make sure you’re eligible
• Choose your topic
• Find your PhD supervisors
• Write your PhD proposal
• Look for PhD scholarships
• Plan your study schedule
• Determine if you'll continue working during your PhD
• Gather required documents and apply online
• Get accepted
• Prepare yourself for success

Let’s discuss how to get a PhD in Australia – from choosing your topic to submitting your application. Just keep in mind that some of this information is specifically about how to apply for a PhD at UQ. It’s still a useful guide in general, but the PhD application process may vary at other Australian universities.

1. Make sure you're eligible

To be considered for a PhD program, you’ll need at least one of these:

• a bachelor’s degree with honours or standalone honours degree, achieving IIA (second class, A division) honours or higher; or
• a research master’s degree (like the Master of Philosophy ) or a coursework master’s degree that includes relevant research experience; or
• an approved degree, plus evidence of at least 2 years of relevant research experience .

If you don’t currently meet any of these criteria, consider how you might accrue some research experience prior to applying for your PhD. For example, you might be able to start with a Master of Philosophy and then progress into a PhD. Or perhaps you could complete an independent research project for your business, industry or government to build your research portfolio.

Check all our PhD entry requirements or explore how you can get a PhD without honours

2. Choose your topic

Whether you’re diving deeper into a familiar subject or branching out into a new area of interest, you’ll want to settle on your PhD topic sooner rather than later. Finding a niche that sparks your curiosity is important for ensuring you’ll stay inspired during the 3+ years ahead.

Keep in mind that you generally have 2 options here. You can complete a PhD by:

• joining a proposed/advertised research project in an area that interests you
• proposing your own project that aligns with your specific goals.

Get tips for choosing your PhD topic or explore available research projects at UQ

3. Find your PhD supervisors

Choosing the right people to guide you through your PhD might just be the most crucial step in the process. This is also where things can go quite differently depending on whether you’re a current student at the university where you want to do your PhD.

If you’re a current student, there’s a fair chance you’ve already met or even studied under the academic who will become your primary supervisor. You’ve got the inside scoop on who teaches which courses at the uni, and you may already have an idea of whose personality and teaching style would suit you well.

If you’re approaching your PhD from outside the uni, you’ve got a bit of extra research to do. But as an aspiring PhD candidate, a little extra research is unlikely to deter you. By shortlisting and contacting prospective supervisors based on their areas of interest and existing projects, you can narrow down your options and find the best match.

Learn how to find the right PhD supervisor

4. Write your PhD proposal

Check with your supervisor to see if they require a formal PhD proposal (most will, but not all). If so, with their guidance, it’s time to put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard).

Even if your supervisor doesn't explicitly ask for one, a PhD proposal is a valuable document for outlining the scope of your research and giving your project its initial momentum – so it might be worth writing one either way.

Learn how to write a good PhD proposal

5. Look for PhD scholarships

Dedicating yourself to research sometimes means sacrificing your income in the short term, though it can lead to more financial security in the long term . To help support yourself during your studies, you can apply for PhD scholarships and funding.

These scholarships sometimes have specific deadlines, so make sure to take note of these and adjust your projected study plan accordingly.

Learn how to get a PhD scholarship

6. Plan your study schedule

To complete your PhD within the standard 3.5-year* timeframe, you'll need to be organised with a clear project plan.

*In special cases, you may be able to request an extension of your tuition for up to 4 years, but that is the maximum time allowed for a PhD.

Part of this planning phase will be determining how soon you can start your research. At UQ, you’ll be commenced from the start of one of our 4 research quarters:

• January – March
• April – June
• July – September
• October – December.

Expect to begin your research as soon as you have completed your onboarding activities.

You should submit your application at least 12 weeks prior to the research quarter when you’re hoping to start your PhD or in the scholarship round aligned with your proposed commencing research quarter (this may be even earlier than 12 weeks prior).

Explore how long it takes to get a PhD

7. Determine if you'll continue working during your PhD

Some PhD candidates continue doing part-time or casual work while completing their research. However, this isn't easy and may not be feasible in most cases; it takes serious time-management skills to juggle any kind of job alongside a full-time PhD.

So, carefully consider whether you’d like to keep working in some capacity or commit your attention fully to your research. It may help to weigh up how much your PhD will cost, as well as your expected living expenses while you study, against how much you’ll receive from your scholarship.

Learn more about working while doing a PhD or explore how much a PhD costs

8. Gather required documents and apply

It’s time to jump online and do the official application process. Aside from your research proposal, you should also prepare to provide your:

• academic CV
• academic transcript
• degree certificate(s)
• English language documents (if needed)
• ID (such as a passport)
• two references / letters of recommendation from people who can comment on your research experience.

Check which documents you’ll need to provide

9. Get accepted 🤞

It can take up to 12 weeks to get a response to your application, but hopefully the anxious wait will all be worth it. Either way, you’ll get a notification from the application portal to let you know the outcome.

When you receive your offer letter, make sure to read it carefully and follow the instructions provided to accept your offer and get your research started. You should also contact your supervisor to let them know you’ve gotten the offer – they’ve likely been just as anxious as you have!

Upon acceptance into the PhD program, you’ll be expected to start in the research quarter noted on your offer letter. If your circumstances have changed, you can notify us and you may be able to delay commencement and start in the following research quarter instead, but you won’t be able to defer more than once.

What if my application isn’t approved?

It can be disappointing to have your PhD application rejected, and due to the large number of applications, you may not receive detailed feedback. We suggest speaking with your nominated supervisor. They may be able to provide ideas to enhance your CV and help you decide whether it’s worthwhile reapplying. After all, you may have just been part of a particularly competitive application period – and there are only so many PhD scholarships that can be awarded.

10. Prepare yourself for success

We know you’ve already got what it takes, but there are some skills and attributes you could cultivate or practise to make your upcoming journey a little smoother. While you’re waiting for the outcome of your application, you could set some time aside to work on developing the traits and habits that will help you succeed as a PhD candidate.

Discover what makes a good PhD student

Once all these pieces come together, you’ll be on your way to starting your research journey. We can’t wait to see the discoveries you’ll uncover, the results you’ll achieve and the impact you’ll make with your PhD.

Submit your PhD application

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Related stories

How to decide on a PhD topic

4-minute read

How to find a PhD supervisor

5-minute read

How to write a good PhD proposal

How to get a PhD scholarship or funding

3-minute read

Doctor of Philosophy

As a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) candidate, you’ll complete a substantial program of independent and original research in your chosen field of study. A PhD prepares you for a range of careers - from academic to industry and is the highest degree qualification available. 

• 3–4 years (full time) minimum commitment of 35 – 40 hours per week or
• 6–8 years (part time) minimum commitment of 15 hours per week.
• Offered in all Faculties
• A thesis of no more than 100,000 words.

Entry requirements

Future careers.

• Fees & costs

UNSW undertakes world-class research that tackles some of the greatest challenges facing society today. When you join the UNSW research community, you join a passionate collective of people who are using research to transform minds, transform lives, and transform the world.

UNSW will support you to develop the skills and expertise you need to make a difference in your field. We are committed to providing you with an unmatched PhD experience that includes outstanding research training and mentorship, world-class supervision, and access to research environments defined by excellence and collaboration.

You will receive advanced specialist research training and produce a thesis that provides evidence for independent thought, critical analysis, and expert knowledge of the discipline in an international context. In some disciplines, creative work may form part of the thesis.

Find information about individual PhD programs and codes on the UNSW Handbook .

Learn about the graduate attributes and learning outcomes for UNSW higher degree research programs here . 

The minimum requirement for admission to a PhD is:

• A UNSW Bachelor degree with first or upper second class Honours from UNSW; or
• a completed Master by Research from UNSW with a substantial research component and demonstrated capacity for timely completion of a high quality research thesis; or
• an equivalent qualification from a tertiary institution as determined by the Faculty Higher Degree Committee (HDC)

The minimum requirement for UNSW Scholarship with admission to a PhD is:

• a four year Bachelor degree with first or upper second class Honours from an Australian institution or equivalent research qualification as above.

You may think of yourself as a student, but we think of you as a professional researcher in the early stages of a long and vibrant career.

UNSW will provide you with the skills and expertise to pursue a range of career pathways after you graduate, from academia to industry.

As a PhD candidate, you’ll have access to a wealth of opportunities to work with and alongside industry through industry PhD programs to internships and mentorships .

You’ll also have access to the most comprehensive student entrepreneurship program in Australia, that can help you develop your ideas, raise capital and launch a startup.

Fees and costs

The costs associated with enrolment in a research higher degree program vary depending on whether you are a domestic or international candidate. Learn more about the fees and costs here .

Have questions? Contact us

+61 2 9385 5500

[email protected]

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Graduate Research

Doctor of Philosophy - Arts

• Arrow-right #1 University in Australia
• Course code: DR-PHILART

Course overview

The Doctor of Philosophy – Arts (also known as a PhD or Doctorate) is the highest Arts degree offered by the University of Melbourne. By writing a sustained thesis (80,000–100,000 words) of independent research which examines a specific problem, issue or topic, you will make a significant and original contribution to an existing area of knowledge in your field of study.

While researching for your thesis, you can utilise the specialist support for higher research degree students, including lectures and seminars, three-minute thesis competitions, and research leadership programs. Choose to specialise across the Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences (GSHSS), as well as in the Asia Institute.

Who is it for?

Entry to the Doctor of Philosophy – Arts requires you attain a minimum grade in an honours year or masters degree. You must also have the sponsorship and approval of a supervisor prior to enrolment. The Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences (GSHSS) only accepts applications for Semester 1 commencement – there is no mid-year intake for the PhD. You are expected to begin your degree by the first week of Semester 1.

A Doctor of Philosophy – Arts degree is useful to develop advanced knowledge and experience in your chosen field of specialisation. Researching and writing a thesis refines and cultivates your expertise and theoretical understanding within your chosen subject matter.

Related study areas

• Arts, humanities and social sciences
• Business and economics
• Culture and communication
• History and philosophy
• Language and linguistics
• Public administration
• Social and political science

Contact-support How can we help?

PhD Course Management

Health - welcome to the phd study.

ECTS: 0 Graduate school: Faculty of Health Start date: 14/11/2024 Course leader: Mia Maychrzak Status: Course is open for application

Short description

A welcome event for all newly enrolled PhD students to the PhD programme to give  them the opportunity to meet and interact with fellow PhD students and AU representatives from fields relevant during the PhD programme.

GSNS Onboarding programme – workshop: Well-being and Work-Life Balance

ECTS: 0.25 Graduate school: Faculty of Natural Sciences Start date: 19/11/2024 Course leader: Sututhi Perrananthasivam Status: Course is open for application

The onboarding programme will introduce different work tools all relating to the process of initiating and doing a PhD project in the best way possible. These will be introduced through peer-mentoring groups and workshops with different topics. By participating in the onboarding programme the PhD students will be offered an insight into handling ups and downs during their PhD, and how to develop as a young scientist. The onboarding programme will also give the PhD students an opportunity to meet fellow PhD students and expand their network – both socially and academically. Read more here .

Emdrup: The skills and values from the PhD and how to communicate them

ECTS: 0 Graduate school: Faculty of Arts Start date: 21/11/2024 Course leader: Miriam V. Kobbersmed Status: Course is open for application

Cancer Research from bench to bedside

ECTS: 3 Graduate school: Faculty of Health Start date: 25/11/2024 Course leader: Martin K. Thomsen Status: Course is open for application

The course will provide didactic and plenum discussions on cancer diseases and research. The theoretical lectures will include insight into the disease, methodology for research, progression to clinical trials, and common errors that hamper project development. The course will have a strong focus on the progression of a project from basic research to clinical application. Furthermore, students are asked to present their projects, including a critical perspective and applied new possibilities for the projects to reach a higher impact of their work.

Public and patient involvement in health research

ECTS: 3.3 Graduate school: Faculty of Health Start date: 26/11/2024 Course leader: Jeanette Finderup Status: Course is open for application

The aim of this course is to introduce the concept of patient and public involvement in health research and acquire participants a science- and theory-based understanding of patient and public involvement in health research. The course will increase the participants’ ability to identify and increase the value of patient and public involvement in health research by suggesting how patient and public involvement in health research could optimally be a part of their own study and which implications would be important for practice.

Image diagnostic methods for evaluation of the musculosceletal system

ECTS: 1 Graduate school: Faculty of Health Start date: 27/11/2024 Course leader: Emil Toft Petersen Status: Course is open for application

The course focus is on image diagnostic methods and their potential for research and clinical investigation of the human body/musculoskeletal system including baseline knowledge on their advantages/limitations and risks (radiation physics, protection and doses/risks). Methods included are: X-ray, DXA, Radiostereometry, CT, Cone Beam CT, HRpQCT, mCT, Dynamic NaF PET, MRI, Musculoskeletal modeling (AnyBody Modeling System), 3D printing and surgical guides, and Augmented reality. 

GSNS Onboarding programme – workshop: Getting the most out of your PhD – a career perspective

ECTS: 0.25 Graduate school: Faculty of Natural Sciences Start date: 27/11/2024 Course leader: Sututhi Perrananthasivam Status: Course is open for application

A PhD is a time to submerge into interesting research and exciting new contexts, but it is also a time to tend to your future career. Your PhD is a step towards your next job regardless of your professional background and your thoughts on career direction. This session will aim at encouraging you to build career management skills during your PhD: strengthen your knowledge and understanding of how adding a career perspective to your PhD is beneficial both for your professional development as a researcher and for ensuring that you have the skills, knowledge and experience necessary for your next career step.

Essential Research Skills for PhD students at Arts and Humanities

ECTS: 1 Graduate school: Faculty of Arts Start date: 27/11/2024 Course leader: Hazel Engelsmann Status: Course is open for application

Introduction to Research Training in Health Sciences

ECTS: 1 Graduate school: Faculty of Health Start date: 28/11/2024 Course leader: Rikke Katrine Jentoft Olsen Status: Course is open for application

The aim of the course is to give an introduction to the main research fields in health sciences and to give an introduction to the requirements for conducting a research year or a PhD.

How to secure funding for your research

ECTS: 0.6 Graduate school: Faculty of Health Start date: 28/11/2024 Course leader: Morten Søndergaard Lindhard Status: Course is open for application

  This course aims to assist and support in navigating the application process for both small and large grant applications - a task that can be particularly challenging for PhD- and research year students.

Single Cell and Spatial OMICS – Advanced Course (module 2)

ECTS: 5 Graduate school: Faculty of Health Start date: 02/12/2024 Course leader: Lin Lin Status: Course is open for application

The aim of this PhD course is to familiarise students with the principles, pipelines, and coding involved in the analysis of single cell/spatial RNAseq data. These skills can be applied to the study of transcriptomics at single-cell and spatially resolved resolutions.

Research presenter - Educational Informatics

ECTS: 3.8 Graduate school: Faculty of Health Start date: 05/12/2024 Course leader: Maria Louise Gamborg Status: Course is open for application

The aim of the course is to gain skills in Rhetoric of Science and reflection in order to improve academic and research presentations.

Science Writing Toolkit

ECTS: 1 Graduate school: Course collaboration Start date: 05/12/2024 Course leader: Ashley Pearcy Buitenwerf Status: Course is open for application

The aim of this course is to equip students with a strategy to write efficiently and the tools they need to deliver a high quality, high impact scientific paper. It is designed in a workshop style and as a condensed version of the Science Writing and Communication course, focusing on how to write.

Position Your Research as a PhD Student

ECTS: 1 Graduate school: Faculty of Arts Start date: 09/12/2024 Course leader: Anders Moe Rasmussen Status: Course is open for application

Reading/Writing: Concepts

ECTS: 2 Graduate school: Faculty of Arts Start date: 09/12/2024 Course leader: Jussi Parikka Status: Course is open for application

GSNS Onboarding programme – workshop: Literature, data management and publication

ECTS: 0.25 Graduate school: Faculty of Natural Sciences Start date: 11/12/2024 Course leader: Sututhi Perrananthasivam Status: Course is open for application

In this module, AU Library will introduce you to the task of working with data and publications, both your own and that of others: How to find data and publications, manage them, and what to be aware of, when you want to publish your results, including copyright and Open Access.

Legacy data in urban archaeology – Unleashing past excavation records in current research

ECTS: 1 Graduate school: Faculty of Arts Start date: 11/12/2024 Course leader: Sarah Croix Status: Course is open for application

Project and Time Managment: Using Project Management Tools to Communicate with your Supervisor

ECTS: 1 Graduate school: Faculty of Health Start date: 13/12/2024 Course leader: Constance Kampf Status: Course is open for application

To create a framework for integrating  project management tools into the interaction between supervisors and Ph.D. students.  The content includes time to reflect on meta-communication strategies to discuss your work together with your supervisors. This includes integrating planning for key decision points related to your Ph.D. project.  In addition, you will be introduced to the PDCA framework, which stands for Plan-Do-Check-Act.  This framework will be used to reflect on how to optimize your independent work through Plan-Do; and your work with others through Check-Act.

Responsible Conduct of Research

ECTS: 1 Graduate school: Faculty of Health Start date: 08/01/2025 Course leader: Thomas Damgaard Sandahl Status: Course is open for application

By the end of the course, the PhD student will:

• Be familiar with the Danish Code of Conduct for Research Integrity as well as Aarhus University guidelines and Health standards of Responsible Conduct of Research
• Be able to understand and discuss principles of research integrity and responsible conduct of research
• Be able to identify, analyse and discuss cases of scientific misconduct and questionable research practices in the grey zone between misconduct and poor science
• Know where to seek advice concerning responsible conduct of research

Forskningstræning modul I Aarhus

ECTS: 0 Graduate school: Faculty of Health Start date: 13/01/2025 Course leader: Ole Schmeltz Søgaard Status: Course is open for application

Det samlede 20-dages varende forskningsmodul i speciallægeuddannelsen har til formål at opøve kompetence til at opsøge, vurdere og udvikle ny viden samt anvende denne viden til kritisk vurdering samt evaluering af etableret praksis. 

Introduction to Fluorescence Microscopy

ECTS: 3.9 Graduate school: Faculty of Health Start date: 14/01/2025 Course leader: Lene Niemann Nejsum Status: Course is open for application

The aim is to give the participants an overview of basic fluorescence microscopy techniques, sample preparation, image acquisition and imaging analysis.

Fill up your toolbox for future commercial research collaboration

ECTS: 1.6 Graduate school: Faculty of Health Start date: 15/01/2025 Status: Course is open for application

Take a deep dive into a complex, real-life case from the biotech company Roche . Challenge yourself - as part of a multi-skilled team - to generate and validate ideas that can serve as the best solution to the company’s challenge.

Basic Biostatistics - part 1

ECTS: 2.4 Graduate school: Faculty of Health Start date: 15/01/2025 Course leader: Erik Thorlund Parner Status: Course is open for application

The course provides the students with basic skills using the most common, simple statistical models and analyzes in medical research

PhD Day 2025

Graduate school: Faculty of Health Start date: 17/01/2025 Status: Course is open for application

ECTS: 1 Graduate school: Course collaboration Start date: 23/01/2025 Course leader: Ashley Pearcy Buitenwerf Status: Course is open for application

Laboratory Animal Science

ECTS: 5 Graduate school: Faculty of Health Start date: 27/01/2025 Course leader: Astrid Gerd Holtet Status: Course is open for application

To give the participants understanding of the basic principles in laboratory animal science. The course is obligatory for persons, who wish to participate in research using laboratory animals, either by carrying out procedures on animals (EU category A) or euthanize animals (EU category D). The course is designated as an EU function A/D course according to the EU Directive 2010/63 and EU Article 23.2 (previously category B by the Federation of European Laboratory Animal Science Associations). The course gives an introduction to practical and theoretical handling, housing and using laboratory animals and how to replace, refine and reduce the use of live animals for research (3R).

Science Writing and Communication

ECTS: 4 Graduate school: Course collaboration Start date: 27/01/2025 Course leader: Ashley Pearcy Buitenwerf Status: Course is open for application

The aim of this course is to: 1) Equip students with the tools they need to approach and deliver a high quality, high impact scientific paper, proposal or poster. 2) Give students a space for immediate and direct feedback to progress more rapidly with their active or developing manuscripts or proposals

Developing complex interventions in Public Health

ECTS: 2.4 Graduate school: Faculty of Health Start date: 29/01/2025 Course leader: Knud Ryom Status: Course is open for application

The aim of this course is to introduce frameworks for designing public health interventions. Including developing skills to work with program theory and logic models. Socio-ecological models of health will form the basis of the course. The course will include basic introduction to evaluating, with a subsequent additional course in evaluation of complex interventions (March 2024).

PSYCHOSOCIAL INTERVENTIONS AND LIVED EXPERIENCE. Analyzing Aesthetics and other Socio-Material Configurations of Stress, Learning, and Care

ECTS: 6 Graduate school: Faculty of Arts Start date: 29/01/2025 Course leader: Morten Nissen Status: Course is open for application

Become a productive and joyful researcher

ECTS: 1.5 Graduate school: Faculty of Health Start date: 30/01/2025 Course leader: Jens Larsen Status: Course is open for application

Doctoral Students can be stressed, and many experience a need for more productivity. Using simple tools and establishing good writing habits can make the PhD and the research process more enjoyable and rewarding. The writing workshop focuses on you and your challenges; you have time to write your own text. Please bring your computer and a text that you are writing on at the moment!

Collecting qualitative research data

ECTS: 3.9 Graduate school: Faculty of Health Start date: 04/02/2025 Course leader: Sanne Angel Status: Course is open for application

Participants will acquire a science-based, theoretical understanding for and basic skills in applying different methods for the purpose of producing empirical material.

Graduate neuroscience course

ECTS: 3.9 Graduate school: Faculty of Health Start date: 04/02/2025 Course leader: Mai Marie Holm Status: Course is open for application

To present participants a state-of-the-art overview of key concepts and applications within all areas of basic and clinical neuroscience.

PhD Supervision (supervisors)

ECTS: 0 Graduate school: Faculty of Health Start date: 05/02/2025 Course leader: Mette Krogh Christensen Status: Course is open for application

Mandatory for main supervisors

The quality of PhD students’ education is partly dependent on the PhD supervisor’s competencies as a supervisor. The aim of this course in PhD supervision is to expand the participants’ repertoire of supervision strategies and methods to provide a flexible approach to supervision, strengthen their reflections on practices, roles, and relationships in the supervision process, and share experiences and new knowledge for advancing PhD supervisors’ competencies.

ECTS: 0.5 Graduate school: Faculty of Health Start date: 06/02/2025 Course leader: Mia Maychrzak Status: Course is open for application

Science Teaching

ECTS: 2.5 Graduate school: Course collaboration Start date: 06/02/2025 Course leader: Karen Louise Møller Status: Course is open for application

The course objective is to strengthen your teaching skills and competences as a PhD student. The course provides guidance and inspiration for planning your teaching within science and technology disciplines based on principles for student-centered learning. During the course you will get hands-on experience with teaching techniques and technologies to enhance students’ active participation and learning. In collaboration with peers you will learn to apply tools to identify and find solutions for challenges in your own teaching and you will train your teaching skills by applying new teaching techniques and technologies in your own teaching and observing others.

The course addresses both traditional and online teaching, and you will have the opportunity to specialize in the type of teaching which is most relevant for you.

Introduction day, Graduate School of Natural Sciences

ECTS: 0 Graduate school: Faculty of Natural Sciences Start date: 07/02/2025 Course leader: Sututhi Perrananthasivam Status: Course is open for application

 Introduction event for all newly enrolled PhD students at Natural Sciences, Aarhus University.

Advanced course in Laboratory Animal Science – Porcine models in biomedical research

ECTS: 5 Graduate school: Faculty of Health Start date: 17/02/2025 Course leader: Birgitte Saima Kousholt Status: Course is open for application

The aim of the course is to give the participants knowledge on best practice procedures when using the pig as an animal model in preclinical science. The students will learn more about ethics and the 3Rs. The course will furthermore draw attention to the importance of anaesthesia and analgesia and the participants will gain hands-on experience performing general surgical procedures. There will be lectures on regulatory requirements and application procedures. 

ECTS: 5 Graduate school: Faculty of Health Start date: 17/02/2025 Course leader: Maria Louise Gamborg Status: Course is open for application

Basic Course in Written English - Online

ECTS: 2.5 Graduate school: Faculty of Health Start date: 17/02/2025 Course leader: Morten Pilegaard Status: Course is open for application

The aim of this course is to impart knowledge about and give course participants an introduction to academic text production in English, applying textual and discourse strategies and methodologies in accordance with the current conventions of written academic English in health sciences.

Basic Course in Written English

ECTS: 2.5 Graduate school: Faculty of Health Start date: 18/02/2025 Course leader: Morten Pilegaard Status: Course is open for application

Introduction to R

ECTS: 1 Graduate school: Course collaboration Start date: 18/02/2025 Course leader: Rodrigo Labouriau Status: Course is open for application

The aim of the course is to introduce the student to the basic use of the software R. The course is designed to build up the basic skills in R necessary for attending to the PhD course Basic Statistical Analysis.

Reading Halberstam: Doing queer/trans feminist cultural analysis

ECTS: 1 Graduate school: Faculty of Arts Start date: 18/02/2025 Course leader: Jakob Rosendal Status: Course is open for application

Advanced Course in Written English

ECTS: 2.5 Graduate school: Faculty of Health Start date: 19/02/2025 Course leader: Morten Pilegaard Status: Course is open for application

The aim of this course is to train the students’ general and disciplinary writing ability to enhance successful disciplinary writing in conformity with contextual/situational, discoursal and genre- and text-type conventions and requirements of written academic English in health sciences.

Basic Biostatistics - part 2

ECTS: 3.9 Graduate school: Faculty of Health Start date: 19/02/2025 Course leader: Erik Thorlund Parner Status: Course is open for application

The course provides an introduction to more advanced statistical models and analyzes in medical research.

ECTS: 1 Graduate school: Faculty of Health Start date: 20/02/2025 Course leader: Ask Vest Christiansen Status: Course is open for application

Artificial intelligence for scientific and academic writing

ECTS: 2.5 Graduate school: Faculty of Health Start date: 20/02/2025 Course leader: Morten Pilegaard Status: Course is open for application

This course aims to impart knowledge about and give participants an introduction to and practical experience using artificial intelligence (AI) tools to enhance their scientific and academic writing process.

PhD Supervision Course (Aarhus)

Graduate school: Course collaboration Start date: 20/02/2025 Course leader: Dorina Gnaur Status: Course is open for application

To expand participants’ strategies and methods in supervision. 

ECTS: 2.5 Graduate school: Faculty of Health Start date: 21/02/2025 Course leader: Morten Pilegaard Status: Course is open for application

Flow cytometry

ECTS: 3.5 Graduate school: Faculty of Health Start date: 24/02/2025 Course leader: Charlotte Christie Petersen Status: Course is open for application

The aim of the course is to provide a solid theoretical and practical foundation in modern flow cytometry, enabling participants to assess and conduct flow cytometric experiments independently .

Preparation and critical reading of meta-analysis

ECTS: 2 Graduate school: Faculty of Health Start date: 24/02/2025 Course leader: Inger Mechlenburg Status: Course is open for application

The aim of the course is to give students the knowledge and the skills to carry out a meta-analysis. Meta- analyses are a prerequisite for a final compilation of results of several types of systematic reviews. Without this skill, it is impossible to finalize the review and interpret the results in order to provide a basis for clinical guidelines.

Welcome to the PhD Course Management

Please make sure to keep your contact email updated so we can send you course information.

For more information regarding specific faculty course rules and regulations, please visit the following websites:

Graduate School, Arts - PhD Course information

Graduate School Health – PhD Course information

Graduate School of Natural Sciences – PhD Course information

Scientific courses at Graduate School of Natural Sciences

Graduate School of Technical Sciences – PhD Course information

Scientific courses at Graduate School of Technical Sciences

Best regards, 

PhD Administration

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Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

• Springfield
• 3 year(s) (or part-time equivalent)
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Career outcomes

Entry requirements, degree structure, fees and scholarships.

• Do you have a passion for research? The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is a research degree available in all study areas and provides you with the skills to become an effective researcher in your previously studied discipline.
• By undertaking a Doctor of Philosophy you will have expansive intellectual freedom to be able to make an original and substantial contribution to your area of study.
• UniSQ academics are recognised throughout the world for their excellence in research. Some of the projects you can tap into are at the forefront of cutting edge research.
• As a research student you will have the commitment and support to make a difference to society in a meaningful way. UniSQ is committed to excellence in research training and provide a quality research training experience for our students. We maintain our relevance in research by linking with industry and business through local and international research networks.
• Our research extends across all of the Schools and Centres in the university. Within the Division of Research and Innovation it is focused across three research institutes and nine research centres , reflecting a wide array of research excellence.
• To start your PhD you need to clarify your research topic and seek an academic staff member to be your supervisor. This can sometimes take time so it is wise to allow several months for discussion with potential supervisors and for consideration of your application.
• Graduating with a Doctor of Philosophy is ideal if you wish to pursue a career in industry, academia or government with specialisation in your chosen field.

Applicants must have one of the following:

• an Australian-university Bachelor honours degree with First Class Honours or Second Class Honours (Division A) or equivalent (with a thesis comprising at least two units), or
• an Australian-university Masters degree (with a thesis comprising at least two units) or equivalent, or
• other qualifications and/or experiences equivalent to First Class or Second Class Honours (Division A).

English language requirements

You are required to meet the applicable English language requirements  and this degree requires a minimum of IELTS 6.5  with a minimum 6.0 in each subscore. UniSQ also accepts other English language proficiency tests.

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can apply to study the English for Academic Purposes EAP3 pathway program through the Union Institute of Language (UIL) .

UniSQ offers a number of masters degrees  for you to study to help you meet the entry requirements for your chosen degree.

The Doctor of Philosophy comprises a minimum of 16 independent research units, although students would normally complete 24 independent research units, with the option to extend to 32 independent research units if needed.

Refer to the UniSQ Handbook for courses to be studied and recommended enrolment patterns.

Your actual fees may vary depending on the courses you select. We review our fees annually so these may be subject to change.

1 These are indicative annual fees for 2024. 

Grant to help you pay your fees

All Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, and New Zealand citizens commencing a Higher Degree by Research (HDR) degree will have their tuition fees paid by the Australian Commonwealth Government under the Research Training Program (RTP) Fees Offset scheme. The RTP Fees Offset scheme covers program fees for an HDR student up to a maximum period of four years for full-time study or up to eight years part-time study for a Doctoral degree, and up to a maximum period of two years for full-time or four years part-time for a Masters by Research degree.

As part of the enrolment process, students are required to submit proof of citizenship or permanent residency status and transcripts of all previous academic study. This documentation enables the University of Southern Queensland to determine eligibility for an RTP Fees Offset place.

• have not used RTP Fees Offset funding in the previous three years; or
• have already used RTP Fees Offset funding and have successfully completed an HDR degree. Once a student completes an HDR degree, full entitlements of RTP Fees Offset are restored.

If a student's RTP Fees Offset entitlement expires before completion of the degree, the student will be required to pay full tuition fees, or if meeting the eligibility criteria be able to apply for a FEE-Help loan . 

Scholarships

At UniSQ, we offer a range of scholarships to support your success at university. Find a scholarship  that works for you.

How to apply

Complete your online application directly to UniSQ.

Applications may be submitted at any time, but it is ideal to allow a minimum of 25 working days between when you submit your application and the start of your requested study period.

Select to start in one of the following intakes:

Further information

To learn more about the application process and how to find and connect with a research supervisor please visit the Graduate Research School  website.

Got questions?

Begin your study journey today with the university rated 5/5 stars for graduates starting salaries* and start the degree that’s right for you.

*Good Universities Guide 2024

PhD is short for Doctor of Philosophy – a globally recognised research qualification. Traditionally, PhD students completed a substantial piece of original research which is presented as a thesis or dissertation. This research is conducted under the guidance of at least one expert supervisor.

Discover more about higher degrees by research  at UniSQ.

If you have a passion for research and want to expand your knowledge in your choose field beyond a masters degree, a PhD might be for you. Other reasons to study a doctorate degree include:

• Expanding your career prospects with the highest achievable postgraduate qualification.
• Become an expert – after your PhD you will be considered an expert in your choose area of research.
• Showcasing your transferrable skills. Achieving a PhD degree involves more than research – your qualification demonstrates your work ethic, problem solving skills, commitment, communication skills and much more depending on your choose research topic.

A PhD qualification can open up many exciting career paths in a variety of roles and settings including:

• Academica or government
• Postdoctoral positions at a university or research institute
• Graduate lecturer
• Researcher/consultant
• Non-government or private organisations
• Scientific research
• Researcher/consultant in industry or non-for-profit.
• Entrepreneur.

A PhD degree will take you approximately three years to complete. Some students choose to study part-time which increases the time it takes to complete the doctorate.

To start a PhD you need to clarify your research topic and seek an academic staff member to be your supervisor, therefore we recommend allowing several months to consider your application.

Graduating with a PhD is a noteworthy achievement as it is considered the highest postgraduate achievement you can earn. After completing your Doctor of Philosophy you will likely be considered an expert in your field, opening up a variety of new career paths. After completing your PhD, take this unique opportunity to:

• Tailor your resume – showcase the skills and knowledge you learnt during your studies, including transferrable skills. Don’t be modest about your achievement as it is significant and your potential employer may not understand what it took to achieve a PhD.
• Networking – put your newly found expertise to good use by attending industry events and meeting other experts or notable professionals in your field. This will not only expand your horizons but may lead to potential job opportunities.

The cost of a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree will vary depending on the education provider you choose.

When you study with us, your degree will cost approximately AUD 31000 (Domestic full fee paying).

All Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, and New Zealand citizens commencing a Higher Degree by Research (HDR) degree will have their tuition fees paid by the Australian Commonwealth Government under the Research Training Program (RTP) Fees Offset scheme.

For further information on Fees, including RTP and scholarships, please view the Fees and scholarships section of this webpage.

The entry requirements for studying a PhD degree can vary depending on your chosen education provider. At UniSQ applicants must hold either a relevant bachelor honours degree, masters degree or other qualifications and satisfy applicable English Language requirements.

For further details please view the entry requirements section of this page.

Get a strong start to your research career:

• Learn from world class researchers – according to the latest ERA  results, UniSQ is rated at world standard or better in 30 areas of research.
• Study for your PhD while balancing your life work and family commitments with flexible online or on-campus study.
• Benefit from our leading research expertise, extending across three research institutes and nine research centres.
• We are proud to partner with industry leaders to drive impactful change, giving our students opportunities to experience research in real-world environments.

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Doctor of Philosophy

Entry is based on a master's qualification with a 25% research component or equivalent, a bachelor qualification with second-class honours or an AQF Level 8 or AQF Level 9 qualification with relevant research preparation.

• 4 years full-time
• 8 years part-time
• International ? Open/close tooltip International Tuition fees for international students, i.e. those not Australian or New Zealand citizens or residents.
• Research Training Program ? Open/close tooltip Research Training Program (RTP) Australian Government Research Training Program Fee Offset – a pool of funding provided to universities to support the delivery of research training to Higher Degree Research students undertaking research doctorate and research master’s degrees.

View 2024 course information

Course information

A Doctor of Philosophy is the pinnacle of academic study. Using rigorous and systematic research, combined with critical analysis, you will add to society's understanding of complex issues at the cutting-edge of your discipline or profession.

When you complete your PhD at UNE, you will be recognised as an expert in your area of study. Your original discoveries and innovations will be applied to benefit society and industry in Australia and worldwide.

Why study the Doctor of Philosophy with UNE? Cement your place as an expert and leading practitioner or scholar in your field with UNE's Doctor of Philosophy. You will contribute to solving problems and challenges that will benefit society and industry.

You will undertake sophisticated original research in the discipline or professional area you choose. Integrating your knowledge across a range of disciplines, you will critically evaluate your findings to generate original knowledge and make a substantial contribution to understanding complex issues in your specialist niche. Your studies will culminate in a comprehensive thesis in which you present your insights.

At UNE, we are committed to maintaining our strong research culture, underpinned by high research training standards. Our diversity of research strength makes UNE an outstanding place to complete your PhD.

We have been awarded 5 stars – well above world standard – in 18 separate fields of research by the Australian Research Council's Excellence for Research in Australia (ERA) research evaluation program. We have been rated world standard and above (3 and 4 stars) in a further 23 fields of research.

Our research is underpinned by 5 thematic priorities:

• Securing Australia's future food and water through smart science and smart technology.
• Climate change and environmental sustainability, protecting biodiversity and developing effective policies.
• Health and wellbeing in rural communities, focusing on areas such as social exclusion, health inequity, mental health and social policy.
• Regional and rural development, sustainability, prosperity and peace.
• Our past, present and future: documenting, protecting and promoting cultural heritage, history, memory and identity in Australia and internationally.

Year after year, students award UNE the maximum 5-star ratings for Overall Experience and Student Support in The Good Universities Guide.

What makes our course different? At UNE you will work with supervisors who are acknowledged experts in their fields of research, as well as receive the flexibility to target the specific area of interest to you. In the Doctor of Philosophy you will have opportunities to:

• Earn your place as an expert in your niche.
• Draw on and extend your extensive academic and professional experience.
• Develop solutions to real-world problems or further society's understanding of topics of interest in your area of focus.
• Pursue a career as an academic or highly skilled specialist in industry, government or non-profit organisations.
• Perfect your research and analysis skills.
• Hone your transferrable skills in areas such as project management, collaboration, problem solving, public speaking and written communication.
• Interact with supervisors online or on campus, giving you the flexibility to balance your studies with your other commitments and constraints.
• Become a member of UNE's highly regarded research community.
• Build relationships with fellow researchers in academia and industry who have expertise and interests in similar specialist areas to your own.

If you are an Australian or New Zealand student and meet the criteria for entry to the Master of Philosophy, you may be funded under the Australian Government's Research Training Program (RTP) and may not incur tuition fees for the normal duration of the course. If you are an international student, you will incur tuition fees.

Internal funding is available to support research projects and UNE offers a range of scholarships for Higher Degree Research students.

Study online Most of our students choose to study online across three study periods with 24/7 tutor support* and fit study around work and family commitments. Uniquely, our online students are mostly over 30 and bring valuable experience with them. They form a community of adults juggling the same challenges and priorities and who bring their life and work experience together at UNE in order to become future-fit and better respond to a rapidly changing world.

Study on campus Many of our students choose to take advantage of the on-campus lifestyle in Armidale, in the beautiful New England region, with access to unparalleled support, accommodation and sporting facilities. These students are often starting their first degree and have left school recently. Through access to academic and career support they get a fantastic start to their careers.

* 24/7 tutor support includes: essay feedback (within 24 hours); live chat 24/7 for generic feedback on academic writing; and subject-specific help at a foundation or first-year level for subjects including mathematics, chemistry, biology, physics, business, accounting, microeconomics, macroeconomics and statistics. There are also a wide range of workshops, resources and courses available in academic skills support to assist you and help you to succeed.

Entry requirements

To be eligible to apply for this course you must meet one of the following entry requirements:

• You have completed a Master qualification (AQF Level 9 or overseas equivalent) with a minimum research component of 25%.
• You have completed a Bachelor Honours qualification (AQF Level 8) with a minimum result of upper second class honours or equivalent.
• You have completed an AQF Level 8 or 9 qualification (or overseas equivalent) and you have had adequate research preparation since graduation.*
• You have previously undertaken work of sufficiently high standard towards a higher degree by research (AQF Level 9 or 10, or overseas equivalent) at UNE which you have not submitted for any qualification, and you can produce documented evidence of capacity to undertake work at the Doctor of Philosophy level.

Eligibility for admission is reviewed by the Associate Dean Research or delegate. The Director Graduate Research has final authority for approved admission to HDR courses. 

All admissions are subject to the HDR Admission and Enrolment Policy .

Please note: The version of the HDR or research-related policy at the time of admission will continue to apply for duration of your candidature. When following a link to a specific policy please ensure you confirm whether the current or a historical version of the policy applies to you.

* Adequate relevant preparation may be gained through an approved academic course, professional training, work experience or peer reviewed publications.

See our Glossary for help with university terms.

These requirements are in addition to the entry requirements above.

When applying you may be required to show how you satisfy the English Language Requirements for this course.

International applicants, please note: You may also need to show evidence of your English language proficiency to the Department of Home Affairs if you are applying for a Student Visa.

Some courses require you to provide documentary evidence, or interviews to support your application. The following documents are required to support your application:

• Previous qualifications documentation. You must provide a certified/notarised copy of your official transcript(s) and certificate(s) for all previous secondary and tertiary study. You do not need to provide transcripts for any previous study completed at UNE. For information on getting your documents certified/notarised, please refer to our Document Certification Guidelines .
• Evidence of supervision. You must provide evidence that at least one UNE academic staff member has agreed to support your application/supervise your research. For example, email communication with your proposed supervisor.
• Research proposal. You must submit a research proposal which you will complete in consultation with your potential supervisor. Your proposal must not be longer than three A4 pages. Please refer to the HDR Application Guidelines for the suggested format.
• Referee reports. You must nominate two people (preferably external to UNE) who can testify to your academic achievements. You will need to contact your referees prior to lodging your application and request that they complete the online HDR Referee Report form . UNE cannot request these reports on your behalf.
• Proof of identity and citizenship.  All documents provided must be a certified/notarised copy. Australian citizens must provide a birth certificate, passport or citizenship certificate. New Zealand citizens must provide a passport and visa. Australian Permanent Residents must provide a passport and visa, and the date you became a permanent resident. International applicants must provide a passport, and evidence of the country you hold citizenship in; for example, a foreign government identity card.
• Evidence of English Language Requirements satisfied. If you have completed a UNE-approved English test within the past two years, please provide a copy of the test results with your application.

Advanced Standing is credit or recognition of your previous study, work and/or life experience. This can reduce the cost and length of your studies.

You can apply for Advanced Standing for coursework already completed as part of other qualifications. The relevant Associate Dean Research or delegate will assess and approve Advanced Standing.

Fees and scholarships

How much will it cost.

Estimated fees for your first year of study in this course are:

• Scholarships

Scholarships are available for both Domestic and International Higher Degree Research (HDR) Students. HDR scholarships can include funding for many things including tuition fees, living allowance stipends, relocation, travel and research specific projects. There are also targeted scholarships for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

HDR Scholarships are confidential and the application process is free. Please visit the HDR scholarships webpage for current scholarship opportunities.

Your career

By completing your Doctor of Philosophy with UNE, you are demonstrating your autonomy, authoritative judgement, adaptability and responsibility as a leading practitioner and scholar in your area of speciality. You will graduate as a recognised expert in your field with a highly developed set of transferrable skills such as project management, public speaking, teamwork and leadership.

Your PhD will open doors to top level careers in industry, the public service, government and non-profit organisations, as well as in academia.

To complete a Doctor of Philosophy is a great accomplishment. You will need commitment, perseverance and initiative, in addition to highly developed skills and knowledge. Only 1.1 per cent of Australians aged over 25 hold a PhD, according to The World Bank’s World Development Indicators. That compares with the 7.8 per cent who hold a master’s degree or higher, and the 31.7 per cent who hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Course outcomes

• exhibit an expert understanding of an academic field of knowledge by: (a) having systematically acquired a substantial body of intellectual skill and experience that is grounded in contemporary developments in an academic field; (b) creating and communicating original scholarship of a quality to satisfy peer review, extending the frontier of the field of knowledge and potentially meriting publication; (c) demonstrating thorough knowledge of research principles and methods applicable in advanced academic inquiry;
• conduct research independently and systematically by: (a) conceptualising, designing and implementing a project which will increase knowledge that is applicable or contributes new insights to an academic field; (b) evaluating ideas and making informed judgements on complex issues or challenges in the field of specialisation; (c) communicating ideas, methodologies and conclusions clearly and effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences; and
• be accountable for their own learning and professional training by: (a) demonstrating the capacity to undertake further learning and/or a further career in or around research at an advanced level, and contributing substantially to the development or dissemination of new techniques, ideas, or approaches; (b) displaying the qualities and attributes necessary to exercise personal responsibility and autonomous initiative in complex and unpredictable situations, whether in professional environments or in the public domain.

A five-star experience

Five Stars, 18 Years in a Row

UNE is the only public uni in Australia awarded 18 straight years of five stars for Overall Experience

No.1 in NSW for Student Experience

QILT (government-endorsed) ranks UNE as the top public NSW uni for Student Experience

Five Stars for Teaching Quality

UNE rates among the top 20 per cent of universities in Australia for Teaching Quality

Studying online

At UNE we know it takes more than just being online to be a great online university. It takes time and experience. We pioneered distance education for working adults back in the 1950s, so we’ve been doing this longer than any other Australian university.

We understand the challenges faced by busy adults studying at home. We know that a vital part of online study is your engagement with the learning community. Communication with your classmates, teaching staff and university support staff will enhance your study experience and ensure that your skills extend beyond the subject matter. UNE’s teaching staff are experts in their field which is why UNE consistently receives five stars from students for teaching quality, support and overall experience.*

* The Good Universities Guide

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Why study with us?

The access you have to academics is a major benefit to studying at UNE.

• How to apply

Applying to UNE is quick and easy. You can apply for this course at any time — there are no closing dates for applications.

If you would like to apply for a scholarship, closing dates do apply and are specific to each individual scholarship. Please see the HDR Scholarships webpage for further information.

Preparing to apply

The documents you will need to include in your application depend on:

• Your chosen HDR program
• Your personal circumstances

Please review the course rules and entry requirements above before you apply. If you have any questions or need help with your application please contact the Graduate Research School team .

• Check our entry requirements
• Read our How to Apply webpage
• Get your supporting documents ready
• Review the HDR Scholarships we have on offer

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The University of New England respects and acknowledges that its people, courses and facilities are built on land, and surrounded by a sense of belonging, both ancient and contemporary, of the world's oldest living culture. In doing so, UNE values and respects Indigenous knowledge systems as a vital part of the knowledge capital of Australia. We recognise the strength, resilience and capacity of the Aboriginal community and pay our respects to the Elders past, present and future.

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Find PhD programmes at Aarhus University

Aarhus University offers PhD programmes within a wide variety of fields. If you are in doubt about which type of PhD programme suits your academic background and research interests, please contact the relevant graduate school. 

Find a PhD Programme

Alphabetical, phd in educational research.

The PhD Council offers PhD scholarships within educational research that focus on the Danish primary and lower secondary school system.     

Fellowships and scholarships for PhD students

Aarhus University offers different types of fellowships and scholarships for PhD studies. 

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Phd courses.

During the course of your PhD study programme, you are required to complete PhD courses or similar subject elements totalling approximately 30 ECTS credits. On these pages, you find information about courses offerede by GSH but also how you can obtain ECTS for external courses and other activities.

ECTS Calculation

1 ECTS corresponds to 25 working hours*

*includes all kinds of activities related to the individual course i.e. lectures, preparation, exercises, homework etc.

PhD courses at GSH

Find information about mandatory, scientific and elective courses offered by GSH

Transferable skills courses

Get an overview of transferable skills (e.g. Academic English or Project Management) courses for all PhD students at AU.

External courses

ECTS credits for activities and courses offered by external institutions

PhD Course Management

Find guidelines on how to login and navigate PhD Course Management

PhD courses 2025 - Click here

PhD courses offered in 2025 will open for registration in  PhD Course Management  on October 10, 2024, at 10 AM