Program Overview

PhD in Supply Chain and Logistics

The PhD in Supply Chain and Logistics is a research-based program that develops advanced research skills, preparing students for careers in academia and other settings where systematic and critical analytical skills are required.

Program Overview

This PhD degree may be undertaken in a project or thesis mode, with specializations in various areas, including:

• E-supply chain solution and collaboration
• Freight logistics and warehousing
• Global supply chain design and optimization
• Lean logistics
• Lean Six Sigma and quality management
• Port management and maritime logistics
• Retail logistics and supply chain simulation
• Reverse logistics and green supply chain
• Supply chain complexity and risk
• Supply chain and sustainability
• Strategic procurement and low-cost country sourcing
• Tourism and humanitarian logistics
• Transport planning and spatial modeling

How You Will Learn

The program is based at RMIT's Swanston Academic Building, which features interactive lecture and tutorial spaces, lectorial theatres, small-group rooms, and other innovative spaces to support enterprise formation. Formal learning areas are interspersed with retail and social spaces and scenic outlooks over Melbourne.

Research in the College of Business and Law

Research in the School of Accounting, Information Systems, and Supply Chain is focused on transdisciplinary research across multiple disciplines, including accounting, data analytics, information systems, financial planning, taxation, supply chain, and logistics management. The school rigorously pursues world-class research outputs and achieves social impact through innovative thinking, sustainable development-driven building, collaborative relationships, and leveraging technology.

Time Spent on Research

Full-time candidates are expected to commit at least four days per week (or at least two days per week for part-time candidates) to their research. The academic year is 48 weeks.

Regular Contact with Your Supervisor

A schedule of meetings with your supervisor/s must be established to assess progress against milestones and timely completion.

Resources, Facilities, and Support

You will have access to the Learning Hub and other online and digital resources through the myRMIT student portal. You will be part of an active research community and have access to resources and workshops to help you succeed.

Industry Connections

Guiding the development of the College of Business and Law, both nationally and internationally, is an Industry Advisory Board of high-profile executives. The Board creates a strategic bridge between the latest in technology and design thinking and business.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Doctor of Philosophy will have developed the skills required to conduct independent research and will have contributed to the knowledge base of research in their chosen field by undertaking an original, substantial, and rigorous research project. Graduates of a Doctoral Degree will have:

• A substantial body of knowledge at the frontier of a field of work or learning, including knowledge that constitutes an original contribution
• Substantial knowledge of research principles and methods applicable to the field of work or learning
• Cognitive skills to demonstrate expert understanding of theoretical knowledge and to reflect critically on that theory and practice
• Cognitive skills and use of intellectual independence to think critically, evaluate existing knowledge and ideas, undertake systematic investigation, and reflect on theory and practice to generate original knowledge
• Expert technical and creative skills applicable to the field of work or learning
• Communication skills to explain and critique theoretical propositions, methodologies, and conclusions
• Communication skills to present cogently a complex investigation of originality or original research for external examination against international standards to peers and the community
• Expert skills to design, implement, analyze, theorize, and communicate research that makes a significant and original contribution to knowledge and/or professional practice

Career

Graduates will be able to pursue an academic career in a university or be employed in senior leadership and management positions in government, non-government organizations, and corporations. As a researcher, your mastery of the discipline evidenced through a substantial and rigorous research project and other contributions to your field of specific interest can make a real difference to society.

Entry Requirements and Admissions

The minimum requirements for admission to a PhD program are:

• A bachelor's degree requiring at least four years of full-time study in a relevant discipline awarded with honors
• A master's degree that includes a research component comprised of at least 25% of a full-time academic year (or part-time equivalent) with an overall distinction average
• A master's degree without a research component with at least a high distinction average
• Evidence of appropriate academic qualifications and/or experience that satisfies the Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research Training and Development, or nominee that the applicant has developed knowledge of the field of study or cognate field and the potential for research sufficient to undertake the proposed program

English Language Requirements

To study this course, you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:

• IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 6.5 (with no individual band below 6.0)
• TOEFL (Internet-Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 79 (with a minimum of 13 in Reading, 12 in Listening, 18 in Speaking, and 21 in Writing)
• Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 58 (with no communication band less than 50)
• Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): minimum of 176 with no less than 169 in any component

Fees

The annual tuition fee for 2026 is AU$38,400. The total indicative tuition fee for 2026 commencement is AU$165,120.

Pathways and Further Study

You can gain entry to this program from a range of RMIT four-year Bachelor and Honours degrees or Postgraduate or Masters by Research programs.