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Edith Cowan University (ECU)

  • 19% international / 81% domestic

Doctor of Philosophy

  • Doctorate (PhD)

A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is an opportunity to pursue a topic you're passionate about at the highest academic level. A PhD is an independent, supervised research project that is assessed on the submission of a thesis or creative work and exegesis.

Key details

Degree Type
Doctorate (PhD)
Duration
4 years full-time, 8 years part-time
Course Code
L61, 085257E
International Fees
$40,400 per year / $161,600 total

About this course

A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is an opportunity to pursue a topic you're passionate about at the highest academic level.

A PhD is an independent, supervised research project that is assessed on the submission of a thesis or creative work and exegesis. This course may be undertaken in any School within ECU, provided there are supervisors available in your proposed research area, and the resources and facilities required to complete your proposed project are accessible. ECU encourages interdisciplinary research that may span two or more disciplines. As a PhD candidate, you will be expected to develop a project that can be completed in three years full-time. You may submit your thesis any time after two years of full-time study, and the maximum course duration for a PhD is four years full-time. A PhD is a significant undertaking, and if enrolled full-time you are expected to commit at least 35 hours per week to your research.

Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level

This course has been accredited by ECU as an AQF Level 10 Doctoral Degree Award.

Entry requirements

Admission requirements you'll need to meet for this course.

  • The following course-specific admission requirements are mandatory and must be satisfied by all applicants. These requirements are in addition to or supersede the minimum requirements outlined within the Academic admission requirements band section below.

    All applicants are required to have the equivalent of 6 months full time research (which must involve a research output which includes the conception and design of the project, and analysis and interpretation of findings) if applying with a Masters qualification other than a Master by Research.
    Applicants seeking online study will be required to provide additional information to support their application, as not all projects nor disciplines are suited to online study.
    Special entry may be considered for applications to the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) who will be required to attend an audition and/or interview.

    For more information, including guidelines for specific disciplines, please see our Interviews, folios and auditions web page.

    Academic admission requirements (Band 11) may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

    • Masters Degree (Research); or
    • Bachelor Honours Degree (First or Upper Second class); or
    • Demonstrated capacity to undertake original PhD-level research.
  • English competency requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

    • IELTS Academic Overall band minimum score of 6.5 (no individual band less than 6.0);
    • Bachelor degree from a country specified on the English Proficiency Bands page;
    • Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at postgraduate level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent);
    • Where accepted, equivalent prior learning, including at least five years relevant professional experience; or
    • Other tests, courses or programs defined on the English Proficiency Bands page.

    English Language Requirements for Nursing and Midwifery:
    International students (other than those students schooled in a recognised country as defined by APHRA at http://www.ahpra.gov.au/Registration/Registration-Standards/English-language-skills.aspx) are required to provide any English language test approved by AHPRA with a score equivalent to an IELTS Academic overall minimum score of 7.0 (no individual band less than 7.0). Internationally schooled applicants may also be required to meet this requirement or we may require additional information to confirm that requirements have been satisfied.

Study locations

Joondalup

Mount Lawley

What you will learn

  1. Integrate substantial and systemic understanding of complex discipline knowledge with research principles and methods to demonstrate expertise in the field
  2. Use expert skills and authoritative judgement to adapt and implement research methodologies and conduct systematic and independent investigation of theory and/or practice at the frontier of a discipline.
  3. Apply communication skills to explain and critique theoretical propositions, methodologies and conclusions, and cogently present findings of a complex and original investigation to peers and the broader community
  4. Take responsibility and show initiative for designing and executing original research, demonstrating capacity to generate new knowledge with intellectual independence.
  1. Integrate substantial and systemic understanding of complex discipline knowledge with research principles and methods to demonstrate expertise in the field
  2. Use expert skills and authoritative judgement to adapt and implement research methodologies and conduct systematic and independent investigation of theory and/or practice at the frontier of a discipline.
  3. Apply communication skills to explain and critique theoretical propositions, methodologies and conclusions, and cogently present findings of a complex and original investigation to peers and the broader community
  4. Take responsibility and show initiative for designing and executing original research, demonstrating capacity to generate new knowledge with intellectual independence.

Career pathways

Throughout your PhD, you will be supported to develop high level research and professional skills such as project design and execution; problem identification, definition and solving; critical thinking and analysis; data management; utilising research methods and methodologies; teamwork, negotiation and networking; high level technical skills in your field; and communicating to different audiences. With the majority of PhD graduates now pursuing careers outside academia, the skills and research training embedded in the PhD assist you to move into a variety of sectors and roles, including management, consulting, commercial R&D, research management, entrepreneurship, public policy, government, finance, technical services, biotech, education, and project coordination/management.

Similar courses to consider
  • Master of Science by Research
  • Master of Computing and Security by Research
  • Master of Education by Research
    Students interested in completing a Masters By Research in Education should consider the Master of Education.
  • Master of Arts (Performing Arts)
    Students interested in completing a Masters By Research in the Performing Arts disciplines should consider the Master of Arts (Performing Arts).