phd program in australia

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]

[email protected]

[email protected]

Postgraduate research degrees

Apply your theory-driven research to the real world

Work alongside some of the world's brightest and most accomplished academics, access high-calibre facilities, and discover our Higher Degree by Research (HDR) curriculum.

Our research is driven by the big picture. The University of Sydney is home to leading researchers who are finding solutions to the world's most pressing issues by changing the way they look at them. 

With more than 150 world‑renowned research centres, we are one of the world’s leading research-intensive universities. These centres include the  Charles Perkins Centre,  the  Brain and Mind Centre ,  the University of Sydney Nano Institute , the  Sydney Policy Lab , the  Sydney Environment Institute ,  the Sydney Net Zero Institute  and the  Sydney Southeast Asia Centre .

Our interdisciplinary approach means that students are part of a community of scholars that unites experts in fields as diverse as medicine, arts, social sciences, engineering, information technologies and science. 

As a researcher at Sydney, you'll work alongside some of the world's brightest and most accomplished academics. You can access high-calibre facilities and unique international partnerships with top-ranked institutions, including Harvard University, Cornell University, the University of Toronto, the University of Edinburgh, Utrecht University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and the University of Hong Kong.

How to apply

for postgraduate research

To find out more

Why choose Sydney?

Undertake your research degree at one of the world's top universities.

Types of postgraduate research degrees

Master's degree by research.

A master's degree by research at Sydney:

• is the second-highest qualification on the Australian Qualifications Framework
• can be a gateway to study at a PhD level
• is usually one to two years full-time or two to four years part-time*
• is awarded based on a supervised thesis, which makes a substantial contribution to the knowledge of the subject concerned.

*Part-time is not available to international student visa holders.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

A PhD at Sydney:

• is our premier research award and the highest qualification on the Australian Qualifications Framework
• comprises of independent research and writing on an approved topic toward a thesis for examination
• may be undertaken in all faculties and divisions, or across disciplines
• is usually 3.5 years of full-time or seven years of part-time* study.

*Part-time is not available to international student visa holders

If you’re interested in a Joint PhD program, you need to follow the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) application steps 1-3. In addition, your proposed supervisor will need to complete a proposal to negotiate a student agreement form. If accepted, you will also be required to sign an individual student agreement. After your student agreement is finalised, you will then be sent an application form for the Joint PhD program.

Please refer to the University's  Dual and Joint Degree Policy  for full policy details.

Download our  Joint PhD programs factsheet (pdf, 116KB)  to learn more.

Professional doctorate

A professional doctorate at Sydney:

• allows candidates to pursue rigorous scholarship alongside advancing their practice in many fields
• is usually three to four years of full-time or six to eight years of part-time* study.

Find a supervisor

Finding a supervisor with relevant expertise and experience is critical to the success of your research. You can search for supervisors by discipline, keywords, and research themes.

Find a research project

Browse postgraduate research opportunities at the University to find a project that aligns with your research experience and interests. 

Find the right scholarship for you

We have one of the largest research scholarship schemes in Australia. This is just one way we are ensuring our continued commitment to supporting our future research students.

Internship opportunities

Grow professionally and academically through a paid 3-6 month internship with an industry partner as you complete your degree.

The University of Sydney has partnered with  Australian Postgraduate Research Intern (APR.Intern)  to provide domestic and international HDR students with  internship opportunities  in a range of sectors and disciplines.

A paid internship will allow you to:

• Develop competencies that will contribute to your research
• Gain industry experience, develop skills and build networks
• Enhance your employability
• Earn additional income

Research student in labaratory

Financing postgraduate study

From student loans, CSP and scholarships to HECS-HELP.

How to write a PHD research proposal

Follow our guide to preparing a strong research proposal.

Frequently asked questions

Getting started, do i need prior research experience.

Yes, all HDR courses require prior research experience. This is because HDR courses are largely self-driven, requiring pre-requisite research, time and project management skills.

If I have no prior research experience, how can I get started?

If you do not have any previous research experience, there are ways to gain what you need. Both the one-year honours and masters by coursework degrees containing substantial research components are great pathways into research. These courses will allow you to gain the research skills necessary to apply for the PhD.

What is the difference between a Master of Philosophy/Research and a PhD?

The PhD is our premier research award and the highest qualification on the Australian Qualifications Framework. The PhD is usually three years full-time or six years part-time.

The Master of Philosophy/Research is usually one to two years full-time or four years part-time (part-time is available to domestic students only). A PhD thesis is generally around 80,000 words while a master’s thesis is 50,000 words.

How do I find a supervisor?

To browse through the profiles of our researchers and learn about their current and past research, please refer to  Find a Researcher . Here, you will also be able to access the publications lists and contact details of our researchers. 

My research idea crosses two disciplines – is this a problem?

No. Interdisciplinary research is highly regarded in the world of academia and working across disciplines can be very beneficial in developing and demonstrating different analytical skills. Working on research from two perspectives can also offer insight that you would not be able to achieve from one discipline perspective.

What are the English language requirements for a PhD?

Please check your  course page  for the requirements of each course. Generally, the English requirements are between 6.0 to 7.0 IELTS overall or equivalent in other accepted English proficiency tests.

How much do HDR courses cost?

There are no course fees for domestic students – fees are covered by the government Research Training Program (RTP) fee offset. However, fees apply to international students. Please refer to the  course page  for fee details.

What scholarships are available?

We have one of the largest research schemes in Australia. Opportunities include the Australian government-funded Research Training Program (RTP) stipend scholarships and the University of Sydney and faculty-specific awards.  Explore your options .

Degree progression

Do i have to undertake hdr coursework.

It depends on your degree. Your faculty may define certain  units of study as mandatory  for a given degree. Where this is not the case, you may still have the opportunity to complete units of study that you find useful to support your learning and research. 

Can I transfer from the Master of Philosophy into a PhD?

It is possible for students to move to the PhD after the first year of study, if you have made satisfactory progress and if the transfer is approved by your Faculty. It is important to inform your supervisor of your plans early so that you can work on a timeline together to achieve this goal.

Support during your studies

Am i able to work while studying my hdr course full-time.

Yes, you can work during your PhD. How many hours you take on is at your own discretion, and you must ensure that you still allow time for the completion of your research. International HDR students can generally work more hours than coursework students. Please check your individual visa for specific restrictions.

Will the university employ me during my PhD?

There are sometimes opportunities for PhD candidates to engage in paid employment at the University, but this is not guaranteed and is dependent on the Faculty/Department. If opportunities do arise, they may be in the form of teaching, marking, acting as a research assistant, or other roles.

What support services are available to research students?

There is extensive support for research students at Sydney, including 150+ multidisciplinary research and teaching centres.

Other services:

• Library workshops for research skills
• Academic Liasion Librarians
• Research Support Officers
• Careers Centre
• Sydney University Postgraduate Representative Association (SUPRA)
• Learning Hub

Get in touch

Support is available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (AEST).

You're viewing this site as a domestic an international student

You're a domestic student if you are:

• a citizen of Australia or New Zealand,
• an Australian permanent resident, or
• a holder of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa.

You're an international student if you are:

• intending to study on a student visa,
• not a citizen of Australia or New Zealand,
• not an Australian permanent resident, or
• a temporary resident (visa status) of Australia.

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

Share this Facebook X LinkedIn Email

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