University of Technology Sydney

C02097v1 Doctor of Philosophy

Award(s): Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
CRICOS code: 110091K
Course EFTSL: 4
Location: City campus, Distance

Notes

Research degrees are offered on a sponsored or full-fee-paying basis. Contact the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences or the UTS Graduate Research School for further details.


Overview
Career options
Course intended learning outcomes
Admission requirements
Inherent (essential) requirements
Course duration and attendance
Course structure
Course completion requirements
Other information

Overview

The PhD is a University-wide research degree which involves an intense period of supervised study and research, leading to an original and significant contribution to knowledge. This is a degree of the future and is a recognised path for those wishing to assume leadership positions in their field of specialisation.

This course prepares graduates for a leadership role in the widely diverse range of industries and organisations that rely on research or research skills to solve real-world problems, including but not limited to academia, business, government, cultural and community organisations.

Career options

This research degree is especially valuable for students to gain deeper understanding of a subject area and develop analytical, problem solving, communication and project management skills. These are highly valued and enable graduates to pursue an academic career or careers in industry, research, government non-government organisations.

Course intended learning outcomes

This course engages with the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs), which are tailored to the Graduate Attributes set for all graduates of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences:

2.1 Develop, adapt and implement research methodologies to extend and redefine existing knowledge, including for professional practice
2.2 Apply critical and creative thinking to identify major research issues
2.3 Critically reflect, synthesise and evaluate academic literature
2.4 Generate original knowledge and understanding to make a substantial contribution to knowledge, including for professional practice
4.1 Consider the implications of research in relation to Indigenous peoples and communities in Australia and global contexts, where relevant
5.1 Conduct research ethically and rigorously
6.1 Disseminate and promote new insights effectively to scholarly, industry and community audiences, as relevant

Admission requirements

Applicants must have completed a UTS recognised master's by research or bachelor honours degree with first class or second class / division 1 honours, or an equivalent or higher qualification, or submitted other evidence of general and professional qualifications that demonstrates potential to pursue graduate research studies.

Selection criteria also include: research potential, research experience, quality of the research proposal, alignment with the UTS Research Strategy and the strategic goals of the field of specialisation, and the Faculty's ability to offer appropriate supervision in the applicant's chosen field.

The English proficiency requirement for international students or local applicants with international qualifications is: Academic IELTS: 7.0 overall with a writing score of 7.0; or TOEFL: paper based: 584-609 overall with TWE of 5.0, internet based: 94-101 overall with a writing score of 27; or PTE: 65-72 overall with a writing score of 65; or C1A/C2P: 185-190 overall with a writing score of 185.

Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place.

International students

Visa requirement: To obtain a student visa to study in Australia, international students must enrol full time and on campus. Australian student visa regulations also require international students studying on student visas to complete the course within the standard full-time duration. Students can extend their courses only in exceptional circumstances.

Inherent (essential) requirements

Inherent (essential) requirements are academic and non-academic requirements that are essential to the successful completion of a course.

Prospective and current students should carefully read the Inherent (Essential) Requirements Statement below and consider whether they might experience challenges in successfully completing this course. This Statement should be read in conjunction with the UTS Student Rules.

Prospective or current student concerned about their ability to meet these requirements should discuss their concerns with the Academic Liaison Officer in their faculty or school and/or UTS Accessibility Service on 9514 1177 or at accessibility@uts.edu.au.

UTS will make reasonable adjustments to teaching and learning, assessment, professional experiences, course related work experience and other course activities to facilitate maximum participation by students with disabilities, carer responsibilities, and religious or cultural obligations in their courses.

For course specific information see the Education Inherent (Essential) Requirements Statement.

Course duration and attendance

The maximum course duration is four years of full-time or eight years of part-time study. Students can complete the course in less than the maximum time. Some courses have a strong preference for research undertaken at a full time pace.

The work may be carried out either on university premises or at a site external to the university, or some combination of both. Candidates are recommended to make contact with their supervisor(s) at least once a month to discuss the progress of their research. In some fields of specialisation, students may be expected to complete campus-based or other research activities on a prescribed basis.

Course structure

There are three specific stages to the doctoral program. In the first stage, candidates must complete a formal assessment to confirm their candidature. In the second stage, a progress confirmation assessment to ensure their progress is consistent with completion of the research program within the prescribed time and demonstrates potential to complete the work to standard. Candidates are required to complete a third stage in order to confirm readiness to submit their thesis for examination.

Within this framework of stages, doctoral students design their own Graduate Research Study Plan in discussion with their supervisory panel. This draws from the UTS HDR Capability Framework that shapes what it means to be a research student at UTS. A Review of Progress is conducted each year, in a process that is separate from the Stage Assessments.

Students may be required to undertake some coursework, for example in research methods or in theoretical knowledge in the field of specialisation. Students have the opportunity to complete an industry-based HDR internship experience, with government, business or community.

All students are required to successfully complete the research training coursework subject 51913 Academic Research Practice which will develop their research knowledge and skills.

Course completion requirements

016018 PhD Thesis: Education 
51913 Academic Research Practice 

Other information

Further information is available from Graduate Research School: email grs@uts.edu.au and the Faculty HDR Administrative Coordinator: email FASS.FRO@uts.edu.au