Doctor of Philosophy (Integrated)

The Doctor of Philosophy (Integrated) is designed for graduates who need research skills to qualify for doctoral study. During the first year, students receive training in best-practice research methods. On passing the first-year components with a 70% average, students begin their own original research, graduating in the standard timeframe. The standard PhD, by contrast, does not include this preparatory first year.

Applicants must meet one of the following: completion of an Australian Bachelor Honours Degree (AQF8) or equivalent in a different discipline to the proposed research with at least H2A/Distinction (70% or above) for the final year; OR completion of an Australian Masters degree (AQF9) or equivalent by coursework in any discipline (not including a thesis) with at least H2A/Distinction; OR an equivalent combination of academic and research achievements such as relevant industry experience, peer-reviewed publications, or a high-level research project; OR any of the admission requirements listed for the PhD.

Within the Institute for Health and Sport (IHES), students can pursue research in areas including mechanisms and interventions in health and disease, clinical and community health and wellbeing, inclusive and healthy communities (sport, physical activity and culture), and sport performance. Disciplines available include business, human movement, medical and biological sciences, nursing and midwifery, psychology, science, social work, society and culture, and sport and recreation. Further opportunities also exist in the Institute for Sustainable Industries & Liveable Cities.

Australian and New Zealand citizens and Australian permanent residents do not usually pay tuition fees for graduate research degrees, as the fees are covered by the Australian Government's Research Training Program (RTP). Where RTP fee offset support coverage is not provided, fees will vary depending on the program of study and may be paid upfront or through a government loan scheme, subject to eligibility criteria. VU also awards hundreds of scholarships worth millions of dollars each year to support students.

Students have access to world-class facilities including a $68 million high-technology sport and exercise science research centre featuring altitude hotels, biomechanics laboratories, exercise physiology laboratories, and motor learning laboratories. A $51.6 million Western Centre for Health Research and Education at Sunshine Hospital provides clinical trials areas, gait and balance gyms, and bone and muscle imaging. The Werribee campus science labs offer facilities for cell culture, biotechnology, biochemistry, and novel therapeutics testing, as well as the VU Library with special collections and archives.