Handbook

Overview

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree is offered in all faculties of the University of New South Wales and encourages initiative and originality in research. Candidates should make a significant contribution to knowledge in their field. This program involves a minimum of three years full-time study. Students undertake supervised research … For more content click the Read More button below. In some faculties advanced coursework is also prescribed. The PhD program encourages initiative and originality in research. Students will make a significant contribution to knowledge and be competent to carry out research in their chosen field. See UNSW Higher Degree Research Learning Outcomes.

This program involves a minimum of three years full-time study. Students undertake supervised research leading to the production of the thesis. The length of a doctoral thesis normally should not exceed 100,000 words of text and should be submitted for examination within 4 years of full-time study.

In some faculties advanced coursework is also prescribed.

The PhD program encourages initiative and originality in research. Students will make a significant contribution to knowledge and be competent to carry out research in their chosen field.

See UNSW Higher Degree Research Learning Outcomes.

Program Structure

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

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

A candidate for the degree shall have been awarded an appropriate degree of Bachelor with Honours from the University of New South Wales or a qualification considered equivalent from another university or tertiary institution at a level acceptable to the Research Committee of the appropriate Faculty.

Candidates may be admitted to the PhD program after one year's full-time enrolment in a Masters by Research program, with the approval of the Faculty Postgraduate Affairs Committee.

In exceptional cases an applicant who submits evidence of such other academic and professional qualifications as may be approved by the Committee may be permitted to enrol for the degree.

However, as each Faculty manages its own PhD programs, prospective local and international research students should check with the relevant Faculty and/or School for specific entry requirements.

English language requirements also apply please see: English Requirements

For further information, see the Admission to Higher Degree Research Programs Procedure.

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

Please refer to the following web-pages for further information on how to apply, scholarships, thesis preparation and other research related matters:

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