Course details

Summary

A thesis-based research degree that leads to advanced academic and theoretical knowledge in a specialist area. The programme enables you to make an original contribution to knowledge or understanding in the field of study and meets recognised international standards for such work.

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is awarded after the successful completion of three to four years fulltime, or six years part-time, concentrated research constituting an original and substantial contribution to knowledge.

Students work closely with their supervisor to prepare a thesis, which is examined by independent experts who apply contemporary international standards.

WHAT THIS QUALIFICATION COVERS

Step One

Students admitted provisionally in the first year full-time (up to 2 years part-time) where they will refine their preliminary proposal into a fully fledged PhD proposal (the D9 document). This document critically reviews the significant work done in the area of research. The D9 proposal should also contain a suitable research methodology and methods along with a timeframe for completion of the degree that highlights important milestones to be achieved in the next couple of years. Once their D9 proposal is completed and approved through the Faculty processes it is submitted to the University Postgraduate Board for full admission approval.

Step Two

Once the student has completed their research proposal they typically refine their design, collecting data and conducting their research as appropriate. Results are analysed and may be published through international conferences, journal publications and peer review as this lends further credibility to the research.

Step Three

The first stage of the final part of the PhD is spent finalising the data analysis. Thereafter, the PhD thesis should be written and submitted to the supervisors for feedback. It should be noted that the process of finalising the thesis is time consuming as typically two or even three draft versions need to be produced before the thesis is in a form that is ready for submission and examination.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Research

Teaching

Entry criteria

• A master’s degree with honours; or,
• A bachelor’s degree with honours (equivalent to four years of study)

The degree must have a standard equivalent to first class or second class (first division) honours. The degree should include advanced learning in research, execution of a research project and a written report on the research.

English Language requirements:

Minimum IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 overall with all bands 6.0 or higher; TOEFL iBT score of 90; Certificate in English for Academic Study (CertEAS) with A grade; GIE with B+ grade; CAE minimum overall score of 176; PTE minimum overall score of 58.