UTS course code: C02041
Testamur title: Doctor of Philosophy
Abbreviation: PhD
Course Coordinator: Professor Paul Hager
Course fee: see note (local); $6,900 per semester (international)

Note: Research degrees are offered on a sponsored, scholarship, faculty part-sponsored, or full-fee-paying basis. Students should contact the faculty or the University Graduate School for further details. There are, however, student service fees to be paid (see Fees and costs).

Overview
Admission requirements
Attendance
Course duration
Assessment

Overview

This program is for those who wish to pursue high-level research in one of the areas of research strength within the Faculty. It involves a sustained, individual program of research, culminating in a major thesis which makes a contribution to knowledge in that field. The research is pursued under the guidance of a principal staff supervisor, and supported by seminars, facilities, and a range of activities of research centres and strengths within the faculty research and postgraduate program. Further details about the program and admission procedures, and about faculty and staff research strengths, can be found in the booklet, Research Study in the Faculty of Education: a guide for students, available from the Faculty Student Information office.

Admission requirements

Those considering applying for entry to the PhD should first contact the Course Coordinator, and/or a potential supervisor. (The Course Coordinator can direct you to potential supervisors, and you should also refer to the Staff research interests and expertise.) It is recommended that you do this at least four weeks before the closing date for applications. As part of the application process, you are required to submit a two- to three-page outline of your area of research interest, and this should normally be done in consultation with the Course Coordinator or a potential supervisor.

Admission is based on several criteria.

• Academic qualifications (for full details see University Rule 3.5.3). Generally speaking, you need a BA(Hons) degree or a Master's degree which includes a minor thesis. It is also possible to transfer from the MEd(Hons) degree.
• Prior research experience. Usually this is a major research component in either a BA(Hons) degree or a Master's degree. Other professional research experience, however, may be taken into account.
• A research proposal that matches a research area of the Faculty and/or a member of staff.

Attendance

Attendance at the University during this time depends on arrangements with your supervisor(s), though it normally involves meeting once or twice a month.

Course duration

You may enrol as either a full-time or a part-time student. As a full-time student, you are expected to complete the degree in a minimum of four semesters and a maximum of six semesters. As a part-time student, you are expected to complete the degree in a minimum of six semesters and a maximum of nine semesters.

Assessment

There are no coursework requirements though you may follow courses where useful. In some cases, coursework may be prescribed as a condition of candidature. You are also expected, where possible, to take an active role in the research culture of the Faculty, attending seminars, presenting your work, and so on. Before, or at the end of the first two semesters full time or three semesters part time, you present your work for the doctoral assessment, which requires a seminar presentation and a developed research proposal of about 10,000 words.

The main focus of the degree is a major thesis of 80,000–100,000 words.