Innovate with industry. Create real-world impact.
An Industry PhD combines advanced research with a real industry challenge, giving you the opportunity to work alongside academic and industry experts to develop solutions that create meaningful impact.
Whether you're looking to advance your career, drive innovation within your organisation or tackle a complex challenge in your field, an Industry PhD enables you to apply research where it matters most.
Explore
Who benefits from an Industry PhD?
Combine your professional experience with world-class research and work on a challenge that matters to your industry.
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search Industry professional
You’re working in industry and want to solve a real challenge facing your organisation while developing advanced research expertise.
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book_ribbon Career changer
You want to combine industry experience with research training and build specialist expertise in a field you’re passionate about.
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lab_research Researcher seeking impact
You want your research to influence policy, practice, products, services or information beyond academia.
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manufacturing Employer or industry partner
You want to tackle complex challenges, drive innovation and build research capability within your organisation.
Is an Industry PhD right for you?
| Traditional PhD | Industry PhD |
|---|---|
| Primarily academic research | Research focused on an industry challenge |
| University supervisors | University and industry supervision |
| Academic outcomes | Academic and practical outcomes |
| University environment | Embedded within industry environments |
| Focus on advancing knowledge | Focus on advancing knowledge and application |
Research with industry
Twelve UTS research projects with industry partners have secured approximately $6.9 million in Australian Government funding to tackle issues of national importance.
“As an embedded PhD, you can identify industry issues which affect how you work. You understand all the nuances that can help ensure that your research has an impact.”
“Only a year into my PhD, I’ve managed to understand the problem far better than before.”
“At the end of your PhD, you’re able to create something that is unique and has value because you have properly vetted it over years. If I had done it in an individual setting, I would not have been able to achieve what I have.”
“At UTS during a PhD program, you actually have more freedom to learn, explore new things and play around. You’re given access to state-of-the-art technologies and really cool biotechnology resources as well as team expertise and lecturers at the university.”
“Doing a PhD gives you time and space to explore alternate ways of thinking, and knowing, and ultimately being in the world. It’s an absolute privilege. Now, it’s my job to try to help people to come on that journey too.”
How an Industry PhD works
Step 1: Find a research topic
Submit an expression of interest to your faculty or reach out to a supervisor who may have similar research interests to you. Ask them about available industry partnerships.
Step 2: Plan your degree
Choose between a PhD or Master’s by Research and check the eligibility criteria.
Step 3: Prepare your application
If you're applying for a scholarship, start preparing your application at least four weeks before the closing dates. Gain pre-approval from your potential faculty and prepare your documents.
Step 4: Submit your application
Follow the step-by-step guide to apply for a research degree.
Step 5: Design your program
You'll design a research program with your faculty and supervisors that may include discipline-specific training, research skill uplift or industry placements.
Step 6: Conduct your research
During your degree, you’ll conduct research that is structured by key milestones. Your final project will be presented for examination by industry and academic experts.
Meet our supervisors
Many of our supervisors are already embedded in industry. If you meet a potential supervisor with interests similar to yours, express your interest in an Industry PhD.
How you can study with us
Choose a study mode that suits your needs, whether on campus, in partnership with another institution, or by distance. UTS offers flexible pathways to ensure you can pursue your research degree in a way that works for you.
On campus
When you choose to study in person at our Sydney campus, you’ll be at the heart of a vibrant innovation hub. You’ll have the opportunity to spend time with your supervisor in person, and access to our student spaces, specialist facilities, community and services.
In partnership
We pride ourselves on our partnerships with other institutions – locally and internationally. That’s why we offer a number of opportunities for you to do a PhD or Research Master’s in collaboration with another institution.
By distance
We support you to develop your future as a researcher in a global context – without applying for a visa or subletting your apartment.
Ready to get started?
Want more information?
Get in touch with the Graduate Research School.