Doctor of Philosophy – PhD

A prestigious research qualification that demonstrates your ability to carry out independent and original research in your chosen field.

Type of qualification

• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Level of study

• Postgraduate study
• NZQF level 10

Time to complete

• 3 years full-time (360 credits)
• Part-time available

Where you can study

• Auckland campus
• Wellington campus
• Manawatū campus (Palmerston North)

International students

• Open to international students on campus in New Zealand

Key dates

• Admission application due dates
• Course enrolment dates for accepted students
• Semester dates

Study a Doctor of Philosophy – PhD

To do a PhD you need to have a passion and commitment for your discipline.

The degree is awarded for a thesis that demonstrates your ability to carry out independent and original research. It also needs to provide a significant contribution to the knowledge and understanding of a field of study.

Opportunities for research and career development

• Developing effective communication skills are prioritised at Massey. We support you with research communications events such as the 3MT (Three-Minute Thesis) competition.
• We also place great importance on personal effectiveness. We offer you the opportunity to do the Strengths@Massey programme. This supports the building of good relationships with supervisors and peers and informs effective ways of achieving research outputs.
• We also provide opportunities for intensive writing through our 3-day thesis writing boot camps. You are provided with the support and infrastructure that allows you to dedicate your time to writing without any distractions.

Research training

• You will have access to a whole suite of workshops through support services such as the library, the Centre for Teaching & Learning, Career Hub and the Graduate Research School. These include:
  • highly tailored writing sessions
  • training on using databases and data management
  • project management
  • understanding research funding
  • applying for a grant through to intercultural communications
  • entrepreneurship and innovation.

A PhD is a good fit if you:

• want a research career in industry or academia
• have a passion for your subject
• wish to become an expert in your field.

Entry requirements

Admission to Massey

• All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.

Specific requirements

• To enter the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) you will:
  • have completed a postgraduate bachelor's (honours) or master's degree with First Class Honours or Second Class Honours (Division I) B+ equivalent, or equivalent qualification
  • have sufficient independent research experience to satisfy the Doctoral Research Committee that you have the capacity to successfully undertake the qualification.

English language requirements

• Academic IELTS score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0 - this must be achieved in 1 sitting; or a minimum TOEFL iBT of 90 overall (minimum of 20 in writing). These tests are valid for 2 years.

International qualifications

• International qualifications will be assessed in terms of their broad equivalence to a Massey honours or master’s degree with Grade Point Equivalency. Typically this should be 75% or B+.

Academic references

• You must supply good academic references. The referees should know you in an academic capacity. At least 1 should be a supervisor for the research component of your most recent qualification (honours/masters).

Documents you need to provide

• Following the admission screening stage, we may request verified copies of the following documents:
  • transcripts for all tertiary qualifications, master's, bachelor's etc, even if these are incomplete
  • grading legends for all tertiary qualifications
  • all graduation certificates, unless completion is noted on the transcripts
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • references to any publications you have
  • English language test results (if you are from a country where English is not the first language)
  • evidence of your citizenship.

Structure of the Doctor of Philosophy

• If you are interested in a PhD at Massey, you should consult with the postgraduate coordinator for the specific subject area you are interested in.

Courses and specialisations

• Each qualification has its own specific set of courses. Some universities call these papers. You enrol in courses after you get accepted into Massey.

Credit summary

• 360 credits
• Thesis

Fees and scholarships

2026 tuition fees

• Domestic students: $8,066
• International students: $38,840

Student loans (StudyLink) and Fees Free scheme

• You may be eligible for a student loan to help towards paying your fees.

Scholarship and award opportunities

• Antarctica NZ Postgraduate Research Scholarships
• ANZMES research funding opportunities
• Asia New Zealand Foundation Postgraduate Research Grants
• C Alma Baker Trust Postgraduate Scholarship
• Catherine Baxter Dairy Scholarship
• China Scholarship Council (CSC) - Massey University PhD Scholars Programme
• Dr Eric Ojala Postgraduate Scholarship in Agricultural Policy Research
• Edward & Isabel Kidson Scholarships
• Farmers' Union Scholarship
• Garrick Latch Postgraduate Travel Grants
• George Mason Sustainable Land Use Scholarship
• Gosling Ornamental Horticulture Bursary
• GWNZ Fellowships
• Helen E. Akers Postgraduate Scholarship
• Henry Kelsey Research Scholarships
• Heseltine Ecology Bursary
• Hurley Fraser Postgraduate Scholarship
• Joe Walding Memorial Bursary
• Johannes August Anderson Postgraduate Scholarship
• John Hodgson Pastoral Science Scholarship
• John Waller Doctoral Scholarship
• Julie Alley Bursary
• Leonard Condell Farming Research Scholarship
• Lois Turnbull Postgraduate Scholarship
• Macmillan Brown Agricultural Research Scholarship
• Māori Futures Programme Phd Scholarships
• Mary Mallon Memorial Scholarship
• Massey Singapore Food Technology PhD Scholarship
• Massey University Alumni Doctoral Scholarship
• Massey University Doctoral Conference Grants
• Massey University Doctoral Scholarship
• Massey University Pacific Success Scholarship for Doctoral Students
• Millar Massey Buchanan Scholarship
• Murray and Terry Scholarship
• NZ Pork Industry Postgraduate Scholarship
• Peter Densem Postgraduate Scholarship
• PhD Opportunity - Grazing management to enhance pasture persistence, financial performance and environmental outcomes on hill-country farms
• Professor Ren Jizhou Scholarship
• RHT Bates Postgraduate Scholarship
• Ross Beever Memorial Mycological Award
• Sasakawa Fellowship Fund for Japanese Language Education (SFFJLE) Postgraduate Scholarship
• Sinclair Cummings Veterinary and Animal Sciences Scholarship
• Sydney Campbell Foundation Postgraduate Scholarship
• Taranaki Tree Crops Scholarship
• The Agricultural Life Sciences PhD Travel Grant
• The HOPE Foundation for Research on Ageing Scholarship
• The Miss E L Hellaby Indigenous Grasslands Research Trust
• The Ryoichi Sasakawa Young Leaders Fellowship Fund (Sylff) Postgraduate Scholarship
• Vernon Willey Trust
• William Reed Scholarship

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• Qualification
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Certificate of Proficiency Postgraduate – CoP Postgrad

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Certificate of Proficiency Sub Degree – CPSBD

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Certificate of Proficiency Undergraduate – CPUND

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Diploma (Business) – DipBus

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Diploma in Science and Technology – DipScTech

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Graduate Diploma (Management) – GradDip(Mgt)

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Graduate Diploma (Marketing) – GradDip(Mrk)

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Graduate Diploma in Science and Technology – GDipScTech

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Without Specialisation – Postgraduate Diploma in Science and Technology

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Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - Massey University

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Degree Overview

• A prestigious research qualification demonstrating your ability to conduct independent and original research in your chosen field.
• Awarded for a thesis demonstrating your ability to carry out independent and original research.
• Requires a significant contribution to the knowledge and understanding of a field of study.
• Focuses on developing effective communication skills through research communications events like the 3MT (Three-Minute Thesis) competition.
• Emphasizes personal effectiveness by offering the Strengths@Massey programme fostering good relationships and informing effective research outputs.
• Offers intensive writing support through three-day thesis writing boot camps.

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Outline

• Completion requires a thesis, including a provisional year.
• Progress is assessed after 9-12 months (full-time) or 12-16 months (part-time) before full registration as a PhD candidate.
• Requires six-monthly progress reports.
• The final examination includes submitting a written thesis and an oral defense.
• However, it highlights the importance of communication skills and personal effectiveness, suggesting that the program likely incorporates elements of research communication training and skills development.

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Careers

• Potential career paths include research positions in academia or industry.
• The program prepares graduates to become experts in their chosen field.
• Graduates can pursue careers as researchers, academics, consultants, or specialists in various industries and organizations.

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Other

• The program is open to international students on campus in New Zealand.
• Students must meet university entrance requirements and specific program requirements, including a first-class or second-class honors bachelor's or master's degree.
• The program attracts more applicants than available places, making the selection process competitive.
• International students require appropriate insurance cover, preferably through the Massey-preferred StudentSafe provider.

Massey University of New Zealand - Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa

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Overview:

Massey University is a research-led university in New Zealand, known for its excellence in innovation and the creation of new knowledge. It offers a wide range of academic programs and support services to students.

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Services Offered:

Massey University provides a variety of support services to students, including: *

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Academic support:

Guidance and resources for academic success. *

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Student life services:

Support for personal well-being, career development, and social engagement. *

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Māori @ Massey:

Dedicated services and resources for Māori students. *

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Pacific Massey:

Support and resources for Pacific students.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

Research-led institution:

Massey University is known for its strong research focus and commitment to innovation.

Diverse student body:

The university welcomes students from various backgrounds and cultures.

Supportive environment:

Massey provides a range of services and resources to help students succeed.

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Other:

Distance and online study:

Massey offers a wide range of distance and online study options.

Alumni network:

The university has a strong alumni network that provides support and connections for graduates.