Overview

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is a research degree that provides you with the opportunity to make an original and significant contribution to knowledge in an area of built environment research. The focus of a PhD is to develop a student’s expert knowledge in a chosen field and enhance their … For more content click the Read More button below. The length of a doctoral thesis normally should not exceed 100,000 words of text and should be submitted for examination within four years of full-time study. In order to assist commencing students in developing an appropriate research methodology, all PhD candidates are required to undertake a course in their first session - BENV7020 Research Seminar. See UNSW Higher Degree Research Learning Outcomes.

Program Structure

Students must complete 144 UOC when taken as a standalone program.

Specialisation Options

Enrolment Disclaimer

Please note that this Handbook is a comprehensive catalogue of our offerings and includes courses that can be taken to satisfy program requirements irrespective as to their availability for a particular year. Availability of courses is best checked using filters on this site or on the class timetable site.

You are responsible for ensuring that you enrol in courses according to your program requirements and by following the advice of your Program Authority. myUNSW enrolment checks that you have met enrolment requirements such as pre-requisites for individual courses but not that you are enrolling in courses that will count towards your program requirements.

Admission Requirements

Entry Requirements

Minimum Entry Requirements

For more information about admission requirements for various UNSW programs, visit the following website(s):
Domestic Students
International Student

Program Requirements

Progression Requirements

For more information on university policy on progression requirements please visit Academic Progression

Additional Information

If you are considering applying for enrolment in a PhD, it is a requirement that you contact prospective supervisors to determine in advance if they are in a position to supervise your research topic. It is recommended that you make initial contact via email. If you are local, you should then arrange a face-to-face meeting; if overseas, ideally arrange a SKYPE interview.

The Faculty of Built Environment also requires that every Higher Degree Research applicant submit an Expression of Interest prior to applying to the university via the central online portal. For more information, please see: Built Environment Future Students

For further information on policies, procedures and forms, see the Graduate Research website.

Program Fees

At UNSW fees are generally charged at course level and therefore dependent upon individual enrolment and other factors such as student's residency status. For generic information on fees and additional expenses of UNSW programs, click on one of the following:

Domestic Students
Commonwealth Supported Students (if applicable)
International Students

Pre-2019 Handbook Editions

Access past handbook editions (2018 and prior)
Pre-2019 Handbook Editions