Course Overview

About This Course

A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is an opportunity to pursue a topic you're passionate about at the highest academic level. A PhD is an independent, supervised research project that is assessed on the submission of a thesis or creative work and exegesis. This course may be undertaken in any School within ECU, provided there are supervisors available in your proposed research area, and the resources and facilities required to complete your proposed project are accessible. ECU encourages interdisciplinary research that may span two or more disciplines. As a PhD candidate, you will be expected to develop a project that can be completed in three years full-time. You may submit your thesis any time after two years of full-time study, and the maximum course duration for a PhD is four years full-time. A PhD is a significant undertaking, and if enrolled full-time you are expected to commit at least 35 hours per week to your research.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

ECU City Campus, Perth, Western Australia

500 Wellington Street, Perth, WA 6000

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Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

All applicants are required to have the equivalent of 6 months full time research (which must involve a research output which includes the conception and design of the project, and analysis and interpretation of findings) if applying with a Masters qualification other than a Master by Research.
Applicants seeking online study will be required to provide additional information to support their application, as not all projects nor disciplines are suited to online study.
Special entry may be considered for applications to the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) who will be required to attend an audition and/or interview.
Academic admission requirements (Band 11) may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:
- Masters Degree (Research); or
- Bachelor Honours Degree (First or Upper Second class); or
- Demonstrated capacity to undertake original PhD-level research.
English Language requirements (Band 4) may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:
- IELTS Academic Overall band minimum score of 6.5 (no individual band less than 6.0);
- Bachelor degree from a country specified on the English Proficiency Bands page;
- Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at postgraduate level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent);
- Where accepted, equivalent prior learning, including at least five years relevant professional experience; or
- Other tests, courses or programs defined on the English Proficiency Bands page.
English Language Requirements for Nursing and Midwifery: International students are required to provide any English language test approved by AHPRA with a score equivalent to an IELTS Academic overall minimum score of 7.0 (no individual band less than 7.0).

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

Throughout your PhD, you will be supported to develop high level research and professional skills such as project design and execution; problem identification, definition and solving; critical thinking and analysis; data management; utilising research methods and methodologies; teamwork, negotiation and networking; high level technical skills in your field; and communicating to different audiences. With the majority of PhD graduates now pursuing careers outside academia, the skills and research training embedded in the PhD assist you to move into a variety of sectors and roles, including management, consulting, commercial R&D, research management, entrepreneurship, public policy, government, finance, technical services, biotech, education, and project coordination/management.

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Academic Regulator

TEQSA

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Course Content

Units of Competency

All Units10 units

AGR7200

Doctor of Philosophy Thesis (Agriculture, Environmental and Related Studies)

Discipline-specific thesis unit for Agriculture, Environmental and Related Studies.

ARC7200

Doctor of Philosophy Thesis (Architecture and Building)

Discipline-specific thesis unit for Architecture and Building.

ART7200

Doctor of Philosophy Thesis (Creative Arts)

Discipline-specific thesis unit for Creative Arts.

COM7200

Doctor of Philosophy Thesis (Management and Commerce)

Discipline-specific thesis unit for Management and Commerce.

ERT7200

Doctor of Philosophy Thesis (Engineering and Related Technologies)

Discipline-specific thesis unit for Engineering and Related Technologies.

ETN7200

Doctor of Philosophy Thesis (Education)

Discipline-specific thesis unit for Education.

HLT7200

Doctor of Philosophy Thesis (Health)

Discipline-specific thesis unit for Health.

INF7200

Doctor of Philosophy Thesis (Information Technology)

Discipline-specific thesis unit for Information Technology.

NAT7200

Doctor of Philosophy Thesis (Natural and Physical Sciences)

Discipline-specific thesis unit for Natural and Physical Sciences.

SCL7200

Doctor of Philosophy Thesis (Society and Culture)

Discipline-specific thesis unit for Society and Culture.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to complete the PhD at ECU?

The maximum course duration for a PhD is four years full-time, or part-time equivalent. You will be expected to develop a project that can be completed in three years full-time, and you may submit your thesis any time after two years of full-time study.

What are the academic entry requirements for the ECU Doctor of Philosophy?

Academic admission requirements (Band 11) may be satisfied through completion of one of the following: a Masters Degree (Research); a Bachelor Honours Degree (First or Upper Second class); or demonstrated capacity to undertake original PhD-level research. All applicants must also have the equivalent of 6 months full time research if applying with a Masters qualification other than a Master by Research.

What campuses and study modes are available for the PhD?

The PhD is available at the City Campus, Joondalup, South West, and Sri Lanka Online locations. Both full-time and part-time study options are available in Semesters 1 and 2. Note that for international students, part-time study is only available online.

How is the PhD assessed at ECU?

The PhD is assessed on the submission of a thesis or creative work and exegesis. For candidates commencing from 2018, the examination process will consist of both a written and oral component. Students are required to continue re-enrolling in the relevant discipline-specific thesis unit until the thesis is submitted for examination.

What are the tuition fee arrangements for domestic and international students?

For domestic students, the Australian Government's Research Training Program provides tuition fee offsets for those enrolled in Higher Degree by Research courses. For international students, the estimated first year indicative fee is AUD $42,450.

Application

How to Apply

Three simple steps to get enrolled

Step 01

Enquire

Click "Enquire Now" and tell us a little about yourself. It's free and takes 2 minutes.

Step 02

Submit Documents

Our team will guide you on exactly which documents to prepare and submit.

Step 03

Get Enrolled

Receive your offer letter and confirm your enrolment. Welcome to the course!

Processing time: Offer letter issued within approximately 1 business days.

Course Snapshot

Salary, careers & skills

Typical Salary

Entry-level (0-2 years)AUD $70,000 to $90,000 per year

Early Career (2-5 years)AUD $90,000 to $115,000 per year

Mid-Level (5-10 years)AUD $115,000 to $150,000 per year

Career Paths

University Lecturer or Senior LecturerAssociate Professor or ProfessorPostdoctoral Research FellowSocial ResearcherPolicy Analyst

Key Skills

Advanced qualitative and quantitative research designCritical analysis of social and cultural theoriesSystematic literature review and bibliographic managementEthnographic and fieldwork methodologiesDiscourse and narrative analysis

Full Course Overview

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