A joint PhD will enable a student to: enhance their research by collaborating with international experts while building networks, gain valuable international exposure and experience in the management of global research projects, and broaden their future employment opportunities.

Joint PhDs are not simply about joint supervision of a student, and each arrangement is individually negotiated. 

Arrangements for the joint PhD program must be finalised prior to the confirmation milestone (approximately 12 months into candidature). 

Both the UQ Graduate School and the Deputy Vice Chancellor (International) must approve the request prior to the commencement of the program. Students should not assume they have been accepted into the program until approval has been given, and a formal written agreement is in place.

UQ has signed MOUs with Tianjin University and the Graduate University of Chinese Academy of Sciences to enable the establishment of Joint PhDs. These are the only approved Chinese institutions to undertake a Joint PhD in China. 

Yes. If the student does not also satisfy the admission requirements, including language requirements, for the partnering institution as well as UQ, then they cannot proceed with a joint PhD. 

The student must spend at least 12 months at their designated host institution during candidature. This does not have to be taken in a continuous period of time, but can be broken into smaller blocks.

You will need to consult with your advisor to determine if the partnership will have demonstrated strategic value to UQ. In addition to demonstrating that the partner institution can provide additional expertise in the student’s research area, it must also be proven that it is at least equal to UQ in terms of research and research training standards, governance and ethics policy. 

Yes, you will need to have an advisor, or advisory team, at each of the partnering institutions. Devising a communication strategy between advisors is an important part of the approval process prior to the commencement of the program, as well as the need for consistent reporting of your progress throughout your candidature.

The thesis examination must satisfy the principal requirements of each institution, and will normally be administered by the home institution. Further details are contained within Section 3 of the Guidelines for establishing a joint PhD.

Under normal circumstances, the candidate will pay tuition fees at the home institution only. See further details in Section 4 of the Guidelines for establishing a joint PhD.

In most cases, students will be awarded one degree in the form of a single testamur from the home institution with an acknowledgment of joint supervision by both institutions. If this is not permissible due to local regulations, then two awards may be given, with each acknowledging that the program was undertaken in collaboration with a partner institution.

Yes, the Career Advantage PhD Program is open to all PhD students enrolled in their research higher degree at UQ from the first Research Quarter 2012. For more information on this initiative, which prepares students for their career after graduation, please click here.

After reading all of the questions and answers above, and having read the ‘Guidelines for establishing a PhD’ document, please contact your PhD advisor at UQ to discuss your eligibility. You may also contact the UQ Graduate School Admission and Scholarships team if you have further questions. 

• Guidelines for establishing a joint PhD
• Application documentation (note: this is not completed by the student, it must be completed by your PhD advisor).
• Graduate School International Travel Award (GSITA)
• Universitas 21 Joint PhD Scheme
• Universitas 21 Visiting Postgraduate Research Students
• Universitas 21 Events and Scholarships
• EMBL and Go8 Joint PhD Scheme
• Cotutelle
• Research Study Abroad