Program Overview

Doctor of Philosophy

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is the University's flagship research degree, which can be taken in any discipline area in the University, providing that appropriate supervision and resources are available.

Course Details

Careers and further study

PhD graduates move into a wide range of careers, depending on their areas of research. The traditional pathways are to research and academic careers, but many graduates progress into other professional areas, including management. Because the PhD is a demonstration of a graduate's ability to conceptualise and implement an independent program of research, manage a project, organise resources, work with other people and communicate effectively in writing at a high level, it is a ticket to many destinations.

Fees and scholarships

Learn more about the fees that apply to you for this course. For fee type definitions and further assistance, see the Fee Calculator Help page. You can also search our database for scholarships that are relevant to you or this course.

• Domestic Student Fees: There is no current fee information available for this course. Please visit the fee calculator to browse course fees from a previous year, or other courses.
• Scholarships: Scholarships support UWA's position as one of Australia's leading research-intensive universities and the premier research institution in WA.

Admission requirements

To be accepted an applicant must demonstrate that they have sufficient background and experience in independent supervised research to successfully complete a PhD. The normal requirement is for a bachelor's degree with at least upper second class honours in an appropriate discipline. However, applications are also considered from (1) graduates of this University (or equivalent) who can satisfy the Board that they have had adequate research preparation since graduation; (2) applicants who have previously undertaken work, which in the Board's opinion is of a sufficiently high standard, towards a research higher degree in this or another approved institution but have not submitted it for any degree and have had their research proposals approved by the Board; and (3) applicants who have satisfactorily completed an acceptable preliminary program at this University or an approved institution and have had a research proposal approved by the Board.

Academic supervision

The role of an academic supervisor is to guide you to develop your own research. There needs to be a good alignment between their area of expertise and your research project.

Applicants will need to identify potential academic supervisor/s and determine if their research outputs match your own intended research direction.

Search the UWA Research Repository to identify and contact potential supervisors in your field of interest.

Identifying and securing academic supervision is an essential component for admission.

How to apply

Ready to join us? Find out how to apply through our online application portal.

We’ll guide you through the application process including important steps, entry pathways and documents you’ll need.

About the course

This is a pinnacle educational qualification, which demonstrates that the graduate is a world-class researcher. The PhD comprises an independent, supervised research project mutually agreed upon by a student, supervisor, head of school and the Board of the Graduate Research School. It may be undertaken in any school in the University.

The PhD requires the development and implementation of a rigorous research plan, based on a comprehensive understanding of the relevant literature and the need for answers to questions posed in that literature or as the result of a new theory. The thesis demonstrates a student's ability to document and interpret results, formulate theories and discuss the results in light of the current literature to a high level of competence.

The PhD experience is different because each student undertakes a unique course tailored to their interests and needs. All students undertake research that is assessed in the form of a thesis and viva voce.

Students may also undertake taught units, industry placements and other developmental activities.

Quick details

• Status: Available
• Locations: Perth (Crawley campus), Albany, Kalgoorlie
• Attendance: Full-time, Part-time
• Delivery: On-campus, Off-campus
• Starting dates: By agreement with their supervisors, students may commence at any time throughout the year, except December and January.
• Weekly contact time: Full-time students are expected to spend at least 30 hours per week on their research throughout the year. Part-time students are expected to spend at least 15 hours a week on their research throughout the year.
• Level of study: Postgraduate
• Course Code: 00810
• CRICOS code: F - Human & Behavioural, E - Science (Paramedical), D - Science (Physical and Biological), B - Computer Science, M - Laws, K - Engineering, J - Education, G - Economics & Commerce, D - Arts, C - Architecture, F - Science (Geology and Physical Geography), F - Agriculture (Agricultural Economics, Plant & Soil Sciences), D - Agriculture (Animal Science), K - Dentistry (Public Health), J - Dentistry (Biological Sciences), G - Dentistry (Paraclinical Sciences), G - Dentistry (Clinical), G - Medicine (Public Health), F - Medicine (Biological Sciences), E - Medicine (Paraclinical Sciences), A - Medicine (Clinical), K - Mathematics, F - Human and Social Geography
• Full time/part time duration: Full time: 3 years minimum, 4 years maximum | Part-time: 6 years minimum, 8 years maximum
• Degrees course is available in: Doctor of Philosophy