Accreditation and Professional Recognition Expand The Doctor of Philosophy is a highly regarded degree that attests to the holder’s expertise in a specific area of study. The program sits at level 10 of the Australian Qualifications Framework. Expert research skills are developed throughout this degree, to suit a number of professional positions to which experience with specific research methodologies are valuable.
Admission Criteria Expand Applications are submitted through Cairnmillar’s Application Portal. Applicants must have one of the following: A four-year (AQF level 8) Bachelors degree with Honours, with a minimum weighted average of 78. A Masters (AQF level 9) degree with a minimum weighted average of 78. Qualification(s) and professional experience considered to be equivalent. Further documentation required in the application: Most recent academic transcripts. A current curriculum vitae. A personal statement of 1-2 pages outlining your reasons for undertaking a PhD. A research plan of 800-1200 words, proposing a research area and what your study design and research questions would be. Endorsement from a prospective Cairnmillar supervisor. Three referee’s contact details. Proof of residency/citizenship (e.g., passport, birth certificate, or citizenship certificate).
Career Opportunites Expand Successful completion can see graduates enter a career in academia, research in an industry setting, policy development and/or private research consultancy.
Course Structure Expand The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) course has been designed to be completed as a full-time or part-time course. The structure for each is indicated below, with the inclusion of a (non-credit) thesis marking extension period. A full-time student will normally complete within 6 to 8 semesters (3 – 4 years). A part-time student will normally complete within 12 to 16 semesters (6 – 8 years). PhD students enrol in the same Thesis unit each semester, until a minimum of 300 credit points have been completed. All units are formally completed at the end of the thesis assessment process. PHD950 PhD Thesis Full-Time (6 x semesters) PHD925 PhD Thesis Part-Time (12 x semesters) PHD901 Research Methods and Statistical Training 1 PHD902 Research Methods and Statistical Training 2 PhDX PhD Thesis Marking Extension
Fees and Scholarships Expand 2022 fees schedule** Domestic International Annual full-time tuition (1 year) $7,000 $28,000 Minimum course total (3 years full-time or 6 years part-time) $21,000 $84,000 Estimated course total (4 years full-time) $28,000 $112,000 **Estimated only. Annual tuition fee review and possible increases applies, see: cairnmillar.org.au/course-fees For further information on what scholarships might apply to this course, please visit our scholarships page here.
Graduate Learning Outcomes Expand Satisfactory completion of the Doctor of Philosophy will enable candidates to: Demonstrate advanced understanding of a substantial body of knowledge at the frontier of their field of study, including knowledge that constitutes an original substantial contribution, and to reflect critically on and evaluate that knowledge to synthesise new and original advances. Design, conduct, analyse, and communicate a complex investigation of original research for external examination against international standards, using established research methodologies. Generate original knowledge and understanding that makes a substantial contribution to the discipline and disseminate and promote new insight to other scholars and the broader community. Demonstrate adaptability, autonomy, leadership, authoritative judgement, initiative, resilience, and responsibility as an expert and leading scholar. The Institute provides a variety of opportunities in addition to the supervised research program, to facilitate a candidate’s acquisition of these attributes.