Course Overview

About This Course

Transform ideas into real-world impact with our flagship research degree. Every breakthrough discovery begins with curiosity – a question, challenge or unique problem that sparks a drive to explore and solve. Often, these innovations begin with people like you – those who push the boundaries of knowledge to create meaningful change.

New knowledge drives progress in society, the economy and industry. The researchers behind these discoveries are essential across all disciplines – from the creative arts and healthcare to education, social work and beyond. Their work fuels innovation, inspires social change and establishes best practices across all aspects of our lives.

A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is a distinguished academic qualification and Adelaide University's flagship research degree. Whether you aspire towards a research-focused career in academia or a role in industry underpinned by research expertise, this degree empowers you to deepen your knowledge, break new ground, and contribute something unique to our world.

Become a thought leader and change maker by studying a PhD at Adelaide University. Your degree will allow for a thriving career, where your research experience is respected and rewarded by industry and academia alike. A PhD is an investment in yourself as an innovator and a leader – and it's the essential qualification for those aspiring towards a research-focused career in the private or public sector, or academia.

Adelaide University attracts world-leading researchers who will mentor and supervise you throughout your PhD journey. With their support, you'll undertake an independent project on a topic that's both meaningful to you and significant to your field. A PhD is a self-directed degree that does not involve classes or coursework. Instead, you'll complete progress milestones. Your studies will culminate in a substantial thesis or creative project and exegesis that offers an original contribution to your discipline, and an oral examination of your thesis or creative work and exegesis before a panel of examiners.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

Adelaide City

180-200 Pulteney Street, Adelaide, SA 5000

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Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

A Master degree by research (AQF level 9); or
A Master degree by coursework (AQF level 9) or Master degree extended (AQF level 9) with weighted average mark (WAM) of ≥ 65 or a seven-point GPA of 5.0 or higher, incorporating at least 0.5 years full time (or part time equivalent) of research training* with a WAM of ≥ 75 or a seven-point GPA of 6.0 or higher; or
A 4-year Bachelor (Honours) (AQF level 8) or Graduate Diploma (AQF level 8) (following a bachelor or honours degree) with an overall WAM of ≥ 65 or a seven-point GPA of 5.0 or higher, incorporating at least 0.5 years full time (or part time equivalent) of research training* with a WAM of ≥ 75 or a seven-point GPA of 6.0 or higher; or
A Graduate Certificate (Research Skills) (AQF level 8) with an overall WAM of ≥ 75 or a seven-point GPA of 6.0 or higher, with approved professional experience; or
An equivalent combination of qualifications and experience.
*The 0.5 EFTSL of research training must have included at least 50% of research on a focused topic.
You will need to demonstrate that your prior qualifications used as the basis for admission are in a discipline relevant to the proposed area of research – unless an exemption is approved by the Pro Vice Chancellor, Graduate Research Training (or delegate).
Admission to a research degree at Adelaide University is conditional on the availability of a suitable supervisory panel and resources to support the proposed project.

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

A PhD unlocks a world of opportunities – whether you aim to become a recognised authority in your field, pursue specialised or high-paying roles in your current industry or make a meaningful impact by translating research into actionable policies and practices. Whether you aspire towards a research-focused career in academia or a role in industry underpinned by research expertise, this degree empowers you to deepen your knowledge, break new ground, and contribute something unique to our world. It's the essential qualification for those aspiring towards a research-focused career in the private or public sector, or academia.

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Academic Regulator

TEQSA

Professional Body

Engineers Australia (EA)

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Skills Assessor

Engineers Australia

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the PhD involve classes or coursework?

No, a PhD is a self-directed degree that does not involve classes or coursework. Instead, you'll complete progress milestones, and your studies will culminate in a substantial thesis or creative project and exegesis that offers an original contribution to your discipline, and an oral examination of your thesis or creative work and exegesis before a panel of examiners.

Are there tuition fees for domestic students undertaking this PhD?

Domestic students can complete this PhD program with no tuition fees, and scholarships are also available. For international students, scholarships and fee waivers are available for eligible students.

Can I study this PhD part-time?

Part-time study options may be available for Australian students, depending on the specific project areas. Where possible, you can choose to study full-time or part-time, helping you pursue your study goals without forgoing your current commitments.

When can I start this degree and what campuses is it available at?

Graduate research students can commence this degree at any time of year, noting that students seeking scholarships will need to align with scholarship round offers, with key intakes in January and July. The degree is available across multiple campuses including Adelaide City, Magill, Mawson Lakes, Mount Gambier, Roseworthy, Waite, and Whyalla, with your campus location varying depending on your area of research.

What if I don't meet the entry requirements for the PhD? Are there pathways available?

Adelaide University offers research-focused Graduate Certificates that can help you take the next step towards your goals. The Graduate Certificate in Research Skills and Graduate Certificate in Research Design are available for experienced professionals looking to upskill their research abilities or for those seeking a clear pathway to a PhD.

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!

Course Snapshot

Salary, careers & skills

Typical Salary

Entry-level (0-2 years)AUD $85,000 to $105,000 per year

Early Career (2-5 years)AUD $105,000 to $125,000 per year

Mid-Level (5-10 years)AUD $125,000 to $155,000 per year

Career Paths

Systems Engineering ResearcherResearch Fellow / Postdoctoral Research AssociateLecturer or Senior Lecturer in Systems EngineeringDefence Systems EngineerAerospace Systems Engineer

Key Skills

Advanced systems thinking and holistic problem-solving across complex, multi-disciplinary domainsModel-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) using tools such as SysML and enterprise architecture frameworksOriginal research design, hypothesis formulation, and experimental methodologySystems requirements analysis, decomposition, and traceability managementSystems architecture design, integration, verification, and validation (IV&V)

Full Course Overview

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