Highlights

  • Produce a substantial piece of research that contributes to the body of knowledge in your chosen specialisation.
  • Develop high level research and analytical skills, and depth of knowledge in your chosen field.
  • Enjoy in-house workshops and seminars, and be encouraged to publish as part of a strong and flourishing research culture.
  • Maintain regular contact with supervisors and participate in University scholarly activities such as seminars, teaching and publication; a program of supervised research and investigation; and preparation of a thesis.
  • Opportunity to graduate and follow an academic career in both teaching and research, or advance your professional career prospects.

Highlights

  • Produce a substantial piece of research that contributes to the body of knowledge in your chosen specialisation.
  • Develop high level research and analytical skills, and depth of knowledge in your chosen field.
  • Enjoy in-house workshops and seminars, and be encouraged to publish as part of a strong and flourishing research culture.
  • Maintain regular contact with supervisors and participate in University scholarly activities such as seminars, teaching and publication; a program of supervised research and investigation; and preparation of a thesis.
  • Opportunity to graduate and follow an academic career in both teaching and research, or advance your professional career prospects.

Explore this course

What to expect

A PhD challenges candidates to make a significant and original contribution to knowledge in the field by developing new ideas, or new ways of approaching existing problems. Working with an experienced supervisory team, candidates develop new theories, methodologies and models that may shape the future of the profession or discipline. A PhD candidate’s research must reveal high critical ability and powers of imagination and synthesis, and may be demonstrated in the form of new knowledge or significant or original adaptation, application and interpretation of existing knowledge.

The supervisory team will provide advice and direction to the candidate to encourage their participation in university scholarly activities such as research seminars, teaching and publication.

Details and units

Course design

Mandatory

  • Time-based Thesis
  • IFN006  AIRS: Advanced Information Research Skills

Other units as agreed by student in negotiation with their supervisor and faculty.

Find a topic you can investigate and see what our current students are researching.

Course design

Mandatory

  • Time-based Thesis
  • IFN006  AIRS: Advanced Information Research Skills

Other units as agreed by student in negotiation with their supervisor and faculty.

Find a topic you can investigate and see what our current students are researching.

Requirements

Course code
IF49
CRICOS code
006367J
Delivery
  • Gardens Point
  • Kelvin Grove
Delivery
  • Gardens Point
  • Kelvin Grove
Duration
3 - 4 years full-time

The part-time study options may be subject to QUT approval.

Duration
4 years full-time
The CRICOS registered course duration is four years however the course may be completed full-time in three to four years.

The part-time study options may be subject to QUT approval.

Entry
Start any time
Entry
Start any time

Entry requirements

You must have either:

  • a completed recognised relevant honours degree (first class or second class Division A) or equivalent
  • a completed recognised master degree or professional doctorate (by research or coursework)

Admission to the Doctor of Philosophy depends on an applicant’s demonstrated research aptitude and the availability of supervision, infrastructure and resources needed for the proposed research project.

For more information on eligibility, read the admission criteria for the Doctor of Philosophy (PDF file, 314.0 KB).

Once you've started your PhD, you'll need to complete your Stage 2 milestone to be fully admitted to your course. You'll usually complete this milestone within the first three months of study.

Master and professional doctorate degrees by coursework must have a significant research component, normally not less than 25%. Holders of masters and professional doctorate by coursework must:

  • have a minimum grade point average (GPA) score of 5.0 on QUT's 7 point scale; and
  • present evidence of research experience and potential for approval

Minimum academic requirements

Entry requirements

You must have either:

  • a completed recognised relevant honours degree or equivalent
  • a completed recognised master degree or professional doctorate (by research or coursework)

Master and professional doctorate degrees by coursework must have a significant research component, normally not less than 25%. Holders of master and professional doctorate by coursework must:

  • have a minimum grade point average (GPA) score of 5.0 on QUT's 7 point scale; and
  • present evidence of research experience and potential for approval

Admission to the Doctor of Philosophy depends on an applicant’s demonstrated research aptitude and the availability of supervision, infrastructure and resources needed for the proposed research project.

Once you've started your PhD, you'll need to complete your Stage 2 milestone to be fully admitted to your course. You'll usually complete this milestone within the first three months of study.

For more information on eligibility, read the admission criteria for the Doctor of Philosophy (PDF file, 314.0 KB).

Minimum English language requirements

Select the country where you completed your studies to see a guide on meeting QUT’s English language requirements.

Your scores and prior qualifications in English-speaking countries are considered. Approved English-speaking countries are Australia, Canada, England, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, United States of America and Wales.

If your country or qualification is not listed, you can still apply for this course and we will assess your eligibility.

We accept English language proficiency scores from the following tests undertaken in a secure test centre. Tests must be taken no more than 2 years prior to the QUT course commencement.

English Test
IELTS Academic / One Skill Retake
Overall 6.5
Listening 6
Reading 6
Writing 6
Speaking 6
Cambridge English Score
You must share your results with QUT through the Candidate Results Online website.
Overall 176
Listening 169
Reading 169
Writing 169
Speaking 169
PTE Academic
Overall 58
Listening 50
Reading 50
Writing 50
Speaking 50
TOEFL iBT
Overall 79
Listening 16
Reading 16
Writing 21
Speaking 18
English Test Overall Listening Reading Writing Speaking
IELTS Academic / One Skill Retake 6.5 6 6 6 6
Cambridge English Score
You must share your results with QUT through the Candidate Results Online website. 		176 169 169 169 169
PTE Academic 58 50 50 50 50
TOEFL iBT 79 16 16 21 18

We offer English language programs to improve your English and help you gain entry to this course.

When you apply for this course, we will recommend which English course you should enrol in.

Fees

Your actual fees may vary depending on which units you choose. We review fees annually, and they may be subject to increases.

2026 fees

2026: Fee available from July

2026 fees

2026: Fee available from July

2025 fees

2025: $33,000 - $41,000 per year full-time if you exceed the maximum time under RTP

2025 fees

2025: $35,000 - $43,000 per year full-time.

If you're an Australian citizen or permanent visa holder, or a New Zealand citizen, your tuition fees are normally covered by the Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Fees Offset (Domestic), as long as you complete your degree within the program's set timeframes. You'll have to pay tuition fees if you exceed the time limits under the RTP.

FEE-HELP: loans to help you pay for your course fees

You may not have to pay anything upfront if you're eligible for a FEE-HELP loan.

Find out more about government loans

Scholarships

You can apply for scholarships to help you with study and living costs.

Browse all scholarships

QUT Postgraduate Research Award (QUTPRA)

A scholarship for current and future postgraduate research students.

Scholarship eligibility

Equity scholarships scheme

A scholarship for low-income students studying in any faculty.

Scholarship eligibility
Struggling financially

Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend Scholarship

A scholarship for future postgraduate research students in any faculty

Scholarship eligibility

Oodgeroo Noonuccal Undergraduate & Postgraduate Scholarship

The Oodgeroo Scholarship Program promotes the pursuit of Indigenous Australian studies by supporting the education of Indigenous Australians.

Scholarship eligibility
Indigenous Australian
Applications
Open Friday 24 January 2025
Close Friday 21 March 2025

You may also be eligible for

Centrelink payments

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