Doctor of Social Sciences

To satisfy requirements of the PhD degree, candidates must complete a probationary year and produce an extended thesis proposal or thesis chapter (10,000 to 12,000 words, or equivalent in a practice-led PhD) at the end of their first year of full-time candidature. They must also write a thesis of approximately 60,000 to 80,000 words embodying the results of the research, or, in the case of a practice-led PhD, submit a substantial piece of creative work and a research component of approximately 40,000 words. For a practice-led PhD in Sydney College of the Arts, the creative component will be exhibited.

Applications are assessed in two rounds annually. Research Period 2 has a start date of 1 March (apply by 30 September of the prior year), and Research Period 3 has a start date of 1 July (apply by 31 March of the same year). Separate deadlines apply for scholarship applications.

You should find a potential supervisor within the University whose academic background aligns with your research using the University website to search for a lead supervisor in an appropriate discipline area. If you need assistance finding a supervisor, you can contact the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Research Education Team at fass.hdradmin@sydney.edu.au. When contacting your potential supervisor, you should describe your academic educational background and research experience, and include an academic transcript, CV, and a research proposal of 1500–2000 words.

Yes, it is possible for candidates to conduct a practice-led PhD with the thesis made up of a written component and substantial creative work. For a practice-led PhD in Sydney College of the Arts, the creative component will be exhibited. When applying for a practice-led PhD, such as in the Sydney College of the Arts or Creative Writing, you should include a portfolio of recent creative work with your application.

PhD candidates in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences undertake research in over 40 subject areas based in the faculty's six schools: the Schools of Economics; Languages and Cultures; Art, Communication and English (including Sydney College of the Arts); Humanities; Social and Political Sciences; and the Sydney School of Education and Social Work. Disciplines range across the visual arts and art history, archaeology and classics, various modern languages and their cultures, economics, English language and literature, ancient, medieval and modern history, philosophy, the global political economy and international governance, sociology and cultural studies, media and communications, education and social work.