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Call us

We have the answers to your research questions.

 

 Send an enquiry

Email us, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

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Doctor of Philosophy

Overview

A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is an internationally recognised graduate research program that will enable you to become an independent researcher. 

With the guidance of an advisory team, you'll undertake a research project, produce an 80,000-word thesis and complete an oral examination.

A PhD takes 3 to 4 years full-time. Under guidance, you'll develop advanced research skills and knowledge in your chosen field.

The thesis is a substantial document that makes an original contribution to your field of research. Your thesis may involve an alternate format.

You'll need a strong academic background and you may need to submit a research proposal and other documents to support your application. About 1,000 PhD candidates join UQ each year researching a wide range of topics.

Research at UQ

UQ is one of Australia’s top research-intensive universities. Our research makes an impact on the world's cultural, environmental, economic and social challenges.

Learn more about UQ's research

Location
Dutton Park, Gatton, Herston, St Lucia
Duration
3 to 4 years full-time (or part-time equivalent)
Start Semester
Research Quarter 1 (1 Jan, 2024), Research Quarter 2 (1 Apr, 2024), Research Quarter 3 (1 Jul, 2024), Research Quarter 4 (1 Oct, 2024)
Program Code
7501
AQF
Level 10
Location
Dutton Park, Gatton, Herston, St Lucia
Duration
3 to 4 years full-time
Start Semester
Research Quarter 1 (1 Jan, 2024), Research Quarter 2 (1 Apr, 2024), Research Quarter 3 (1 Jul, 2024), Research Quarter 4 (1 Oct, 2024)
Semester dates for 2025 are yet to be confirmed
Program Code
7501
CRICOS Code
0100213
0100214
AQF
Level 10

Program highlights

Program highlights

  • Be inspired and challenged to explore new ideas and develop greater understanding of complex questions with leading researchers.
  • Access premier resources including one of Australia’s largest libraries, with more than 2 million physical resources and 116,800+ journal subscriptions.
  • Foster and improve your skills through the Career Development Framework, created with industry.
  • Learn from researchers whose work addresses national and global cultural, environmental, economic and social challenges.

35 in the world

CWTS Leiden Ranking 2023

51 in the world

Academic Ranking of World Universities 2023

Supervision

You have to find and contact a thesis supervisor before you apply

This supervisor will support, guide and mentor you through your research, and can introduce you to professional networks that will start your career.

Find a supervisor

Watch Higher Degree by Research Supervision Awards on YouTube.

3-Minute Thesis

The showcase event for research candidates is the 3-Minute Thesis (3MT). 

3MT is held each spring.

Learn more about the 3MT

A UQ HDR student presents her research on stage during the Three-Minute Thesis competition.

Career development

UQ offers a range of development opportunities via the Career Development Framework (CDF) to help you develop portable skills for any career or industry.

Learn more about the CDF

An HDR student sitting in an engineering laboratory.

Entry requirements

Academic entry requirements

You have to prove you are prepared for PhD study. You do this by showing you:

  • have completed some research experience
  • have completed an approved university degree and
  • can meet the English language requirements.

Approved degrees

An approved degree needs to be:

  • in an area relevant to your proposed PhD project and
  • completed no more than 10 years ago.

You need one of the following approved degrees to apply for a PhD:

  • Master of Philosophy (or another research master’s degree); or
  • Bachelor’s degree from an approved university with at least honours class IIA or equivalent; or
  • Coursework master’s degree with an overall grade point average of 5.65 on the 7-point UQ scale which includes relevant research experience, approved by the dean; or
  • Postgraduate degree (at least one year full-time or equivalent) with an overall grade point average of 5 on the 7-point UQ scale, together with demonstrated research experience equivalent to honours class IIA will be considered on a case-by-case basis; or
  • Bachelor’s degree plus at least 2 years of relevant research experience, including research publications.

Research experience

You'll meet the requirements for admission into a PhD in terms of 'research preparedness' if you can provide evidence that you've planned and executed project work and/or a body of research with some independence.

To demonstrate this, we'll ask you to provide one of the following:

  • A bachelor's or master's degree:
    • with completed courses that aim to develop research skills (minimum value of #1 unit e.g. 50 per cent of a #2 unit course), and/or
    • the completion of a supervised research project that includes an individually graded written report with a combined minimum course volume equal to #4 units at UQ.
  • Scholarly papers involving a substantial contribution as an author, appearing in recognised academic journals or in volumes published by recognised academic publishers.
  • Research or technical reports prepared for industry, government or business, which adhere to the broad conventions of academic publishing (i.e. contain an up-to-date review of relevant literature, a description of relevant research methods and an evaluation of results, etc.) and which identify you as a significant contributor.
  • A portfolio of published creative work together with published critical discussion of some or all of that work, or of a comparable body of work by others, and which demonstrates your development of a scholarly approach to creative work as research investigation.
  • Demonstrable industry or work experience where you can demonstrate that you have planned and executed a project, working with a high level of independence.

Student visas

International students who are accepted into full-time study in the Doctor of Philosophy are eligible to apply for an Australian Student visa (subclass 500).

This program has two CRICOS codes:

  • 0100213 – Architecture, creative arts, education, health, information technology, management and commerce, mathematical sciences, social and cultural studies
  • 0100214 – Agriculture and environmental studies, dentistry, engineering, human movement, medical studies, natural and physical sciences, pharmacy, psychology, veterinary science

Discuss your proposed project with us to determine which CRICOS code is most relevant for your visa application.

There are a number of requirements you must satisfy before a visa is granted, including the genuine temporary entrant (GTE) requirement.

Learn more about student visas

Additional entry requirements

Many departments will have additional entry requirements and may request documents to support your application, such as a research proposal. You should discuss these additional requirements with your potential thesis supervisor.

Additional application information

Applications must be lodged via the online application portal. There is no application fee for research higher degree programs. Ensure you have all the required documents prepared when you submit your application.

Minimum English language proficiency requirements apply, please refer to the English proficiency policy.

English language requirements

There are a few ways you can meet our English language requirements. If you sit a test, the following scores are needed for PhD admission:

TestMinimum overall scoreMinimum additional scores
IELTS (clinical projects)7.07.0 in every sub-band
IELTS (all other disciplines)6.56.0 in every sub-band
TOEFL (paper-based)5705.0 in TWE (written), and 54 in reading & listening

Read our English language requirements

Scholarships

There are several types of PhD scholarship:

  • tuition fee scholarship: this covers the fees charged by UQ for PhD study
  • living stipend scholarship: this is a fortnightly payment (or stipend) to support your daily expenses
  • top-up scholarship: may be provided by external organisations, supervisors, or philanthropic donations. When awarded, they provide an additional payment on top of a living stipend scholarship. They cannot be held without a living stipend scholarship.

Each year, we award more than 600 scholarships to attract and support the highest quality higher degree by research applicants.

View all postgraduate research scholarships

University scholarships

Other scholarships

Throughout the year we advertise a range of other research scholarships, including top-up scholarships, travel grants and external scholarships, including:

How to apply for a scholarship

You can apply for many scholarships using the same form as your PhD application. External scholarships might have different ways to apply. 

Our Scholarships website explains how to apply for each scholarship. If you are applying for a non-UQ scholarship, outcome dates may vary.

View all postgraduate research scholarships

    Fees and costs

    Research costs

    The department you enrol with will meet all necessary costs for your project, including:

    • resource and facility costs: at UQ, which may include other organisations in Australia or overseas
    • travel costs: to complete fieldwork, collect data, or to visit libraries or other repositories
    • coursework costs: for courses studied outside the department
    • relevant training: in particular methodologies or techniques.

    How to apply

    Before you apply

     

    1. Check your eligibility

    Check your eligibility by reviewing the entry requirements for UQ's Higher Degrees by Research. If applying for a scholarship, check the scholarship's eligibility and important dates.

    2. Approach a potential supervisor or find a project

    You'll either need to find:

    or

    If you're choosing a researcher, you'll need to find one with relevant expertise and get agreement to support your PhD and project.

    Many departments will require additional information to make a decision around your motivation, understanding, commitment, and financial support required.

    They may request documents to support your application, such as a research proposal. You should discuss these additional requirements with your potential thesis supervisor.

    3. Gather your documents

    You will need to compile the necessary documents. We will accept scanned copies of original documents, but you will have to keep all original documents for the duration of your studies.

    Upload all documents as PDFs and name your files like this: LASTNAME_firstname_document-name.pdf

    If any of your documents is in a language other than English, you will need to send both the original document and an official translation.

    Send the following documents with your application:

      If you don't provide us with all documents it will take us longer to process your application. Your start date might then be delayed, or you might miss an admission or scholarship deadline. 

      4. Apply online

      Once you have prepared your application and contacted a potential supervisor, use the online application form to apply. Your application can only be assessed once your referees have responded to us, and all outstanding documents and school/institute endorsements have been received.

      Apply now

       

      Important dates

      The academic year for research students is divided into four research quarters (RQ).

      To commence byYou must apply by
      RQ 1: January30 September
      RQ 2: April31 December
      RQ 3: July31 March
      RQ 4: October30 June

      Candidates applying for a Student Visa or UQ scholarship may need to apply earlier. Make sure you check scholarship round application deadlines and outcome dates before applying.

      The agreed start date will be included on your Confirmation of Enrolment.

      Find out more about research quarter dates

      Important dates

      The academic year for research students is divided into four research quarters (RQ). You can start a PhD in any quarter, as long as the Census Date hasn't passed.

      To commence byYou must apply by
      RQ 1: January30 September
      RQ 2: April31 December
      RQ 3: July31 March
      RQ 4: October30 June

      Candidates applying for a UQ scholarship may need to apply earlier. Make sure you check scholarship round application deadlines and outcome dates before applying.

      The agreed start date will be included on your offer of admission.

      Find out more about research quarter dates

      Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants

      For support with applying – or if you have any questions about university life – get in touch with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit.

      Contact the ATSIS Unit

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