Table of Contents
These rules apply to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.
Introduction
1.1 The Doctor of Philosophy is a higher degree by research doctoral degree where the student either:
i. undertakes a time-based supervised research project, or
ii. presents for examination a body of published work accumulated prior to acceptance into candidature.
Admission requirements
2.1 To be accepted for enrolment in a Doctor of Philosophy candidature, an applicant must:
i. have at least one of the following Australian qualifications (which must include studies relevant to the proposed field of research), or the equivalent qualification as approved by the relevant authorised delegate:
- a Bachelors degree with Honours class 1 or 2A
- a Doctor of Medicine with minimum Credit average
- a Graduate Diploma or Masters degree by coursework with a research component of at least 18 units, with an average grade of Distinction or better in the research component
- a Masters by Research degree, and
ii. meet the English language requirements specified by the University, and
iii. satisfy the University that they are reasonably likely to be able to complete the requirements of the award within the maximum duration.
2.2 In addition, to be accepted for enrolment in a Doctor of Philosophy candidature on the basis of Prior Published Work, an applicant must have:
i. completed their qualification under 2.1.i at least three years before their application for candidature for this degree, and
ii. spent at least three years following conferral of the qualifying award substantially engaged in the practice and study of the discipline or related discipline, and
iii. satisfied the University that there is a prima facie case that their prior published work meets the requirement for admission to the award.
2.3 Exceptions to 2.1 and 2.2 can be approved in accordance with the Higher Degrees by Research Policy.
Course aims
The purpose of the PhD degree is to provide research training at the highest level and to enable or acknowledge the production of a substantial body of original research that contributes significantly to knowledge and scholarship.
Learning outcomes
Graduates of PhD degrees will have expert, specialised cognitive, technical and research skills in a discipline area to enable them independently and systematically to demonstrate:
- evidence of an original investigation or testing of ideas
- competence in independent research or experimentation
- a thorough understanding of the appropriate techniques in the field demonstrated both by their application and a thorough review of the literature
- critical use of source material, experimental results (where appropriate), and published works
- appreciation of the relationship of the special theme to the wider field of knowledge
- the capacity to present well-written work
- a higher degree of independence of thought and approach
- a significant original contribution to knowledge
Graduates will apply knowledge and skills to demonstrate autonomy, authoritative judgement, adaptability, and responsibility as an expert and leading scholar.
Program of Study
5.1 The Doctor of Philosophy is entirely a research degree.
5.2 In a Doctor of Philosophy with a time-based research project, the student will undertake a supervised research project, culminating in submission of a thesis, which may be in the form of an exegesis and creative artefact.
5.3 In a Doctor of Philosophy by Prior Published Work, the student will undertake a short program of work culminating in a thesis comprising a contextual statement and a body of published work accumulated prior to acceptance into candidature.
Progression
6.1 Progression in the time-based research project is governed by the Higher Degrees by Research Policy.
Thesis
7.1 The submitted thesis must meet all requirements for presentation and lodgement specified in the Higher Degrees by Research Policy and must not contain:
i. material which has been accepted for the award of any other degree or diploma, or
ii. any material previously published or written by another person except where due reference is made in the text of the thesis or in the notes.
Assessment
8.1 The thesis examination will assesswhether the student has demonstrated the following attributes:
i. a significant original contribution to knowledge
ii. ability to conduct an original investigation or testing of ideas
iii. competence in independent research or experimentation
iv. a thorough understanding of the appropriate techniques in the field demonstrated both by their application and a thorough review of the literature
v. critical use of source material, experimental results (where appropriate) and published works
vi. appreciation of the relationship of the special theme of their research to the wider field of knowledge
vii. the capacity to present well-written work, and
viii. a high degree of independence of thought and approach.
8.2 A significant original contribution to knowledge means uncovering new knowledge by:
i. the discovery of new facts
ii. the formulation of theories, or
iii. the innovative re-interpretation of known data and established ideas
except that, for a thesis involving an exegesis and creative artefact, a significant original contribution means enhancing artistic practice in a way that contributes to that practice and to the intellectual discourse of the field.
Requirement to qualify
9.1 For a student to qualify for the degree of Doctor of Phillosophy, the student must receive a determination that the degree be awarded following thesis examination.
