- 4 years (or part-time equivalent)
- Ipswich
- Springfield
- Toowoomba
- External
- Jan, Feb, Apr, May, Jun, Aug, Sep, Nov
- View dates
- AUD 30,640
- (Indicative annual fee)
Overview
- Pursue your passion for research and become a subject expert in your area of interest. The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is a research degree available in all study areas, designed to equip you with the skills to become an effective researcher capable of making a meaningful impact on society.
- Make your mark, with the expansive intellectual freedom to make an original and substantial contribution to your area of study.
- Be guided by UniSQ academics who are recognised throughout the world for their excellence in research, with projects at the forefront of cutting-edge research.
- Benefit from UniSQ’s commitment to excellence in research training – we maintain our relevance in research by linking with industry and business through local and international research networks.
- Begin your PhD journey by determining your research topic and seeking an academic staff member to be your supervisor. Due to the potentially lengthy nature of this process, it's wise to allow several months for discussions with potential supervisors and for consideration of your application.
Supportive and flexible research environment
While studying at UniSQ I benefitted from a supportive and flexible research environment, industry collaborations and hands-on exciting research opportunities.
Lachlan - Doctor of Philosophy
Career outcomes
As a graduate with a Doctor of Philosophy, you can pursue a career in industry, research, government or academia with specialisation in your chosen field. The skills and knowledge gained during a PhD such as research, analytical, and communication skills, are highly valued in many sectors.
You can apply for roles in:
- academic research
- research and development
- policy research
- industry and government advising
- specialist consultancy.
What you'll study
The Doctor of Philosophy comprises a minimum of 16 independent research units, although students would normally complete 24 independent research units, with the option to extend to 32 independent research units if needed.
Degree structure
A research degree primarily focuses on independent, original investigation under academic supervision, enabling you to contribute new knowledge to your field while developing advanced research skills and subject-matter expertise.
Refer to the UniSQ Handbook for detailed recommended enrolment patterns and course availability.
Entry requirements
You need to satisfy the following requirements to be considered for entry into this research degree.
Applicants must have one of the following:
- an Australian-university Bachelor honours degree with First Class Honours or Second Class Honours (Division A) or equivalent (with a thesis comprising at least two units), or
- an Australian-university Masters degree (with a thesis comprising at least two units) or equivalent, or
- other qualifications and/or experiences equivalent to First Class or Second Class Honours (Division A).
Entry pathways
UniSQ offers a number of masters degrees for you to study to help you meet the entry requirements for your chosen degree.
Fees and scholarships
- This estimated 2025 annual fee is based on the current average rate for your first year of study.
- This is an indicative guide only and your fees will vary depending on the courses you select, with the actual rates calculated at enrolment.
- We review our fees annually and they may increase each year.
- Further details are available in the Fee schedules.
All Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, and New Zealand citizens commencing a Higher Degree by Research (HDR) degree will have their tuition fees paid by the Australian Commonwealth Government under the Research Training Program (RTP) Fees Offset scheme. The RTP Fees Offset scheme covers program fees for an HDR student up to a maximum period of four years for full-time study or up to eight years part-time study for a Doctoral degree, and up to a maximum period of two years for full-time or four years part-time for a Masters by Research degree.
As part of the enrolment process, students are required to submit proof of citizenship or permanent residency status and transcripts of all previous academic study. This documentation enables the University of Southern Queensland to determine eligibility for an RTP Fees Offset place.
Students eligible for an RTP Fees Offset place are those who:
- have not used RTP Fees Offset funding in the previous three years; or
- have already used RTP Fees Offset funding and have successfully completed an HDR degree. Once a student completes an HDR degree, full entitlements of RTP Fees Offset are restored.
If a student's RTP Fees Offset entitlement expires before completion of the degree, the student will be required to pay full tuition fees, or if meeting the eligibility criteria be able to apply for a FEE-HELP loan.
UniSQ Scholarships
We offer scholarships for academic excellence, community leadership, and financial need - you can apply for more than one!
Find out moreHow to apply
Complete your online application directly to UniSQ. Applications may be submitted at any time, but it is ideal to allow a minimum of 25 working days between when you submit your application and the start of your requested study period.
ApplyTo learn more about the application process and how to find and connect with a research supervisor please visit the Higher Degrees by Research website.
Prior to applying, you will need to clarify your research topic and find a research supervisor. You can then apply direct to UniSQ with other information as specified by the Graduate Research School. You must receive approval from your research supervisor for the proposed study plan and thesis topic prior to confirmation of acceptance.
Select to start in one of the following intakes:
| Study period | Start date |
|---|---|
| Research 1 | Monday 13 January 2025 |
| Research 2 | Monday 24 February 2025 |
| Research 3 | Monday 7 April 2025 |
| Research 4 | Monday 19 May 2025 |
| Research 5 | Monday 30 June 2025 |
| Research 6 | Monday 11 August 2025 |
| Research 7 | Monday 22 September 2025 |
| Research 8 |
Monday 3 November 2025 |
Preparing to apply
You've made the decision to study at UniSQ - congratulations! Take the next steps:
Prior to applying, you should:
- clarify your research thesis topic
- confirm you meet the entry requirements of your preferred degree
- find a research supervisor
- browse and identify the perfect research scholarship for you.
Now it’s time to find and connect with your potential supervisor. Email them to introduce yourself, including a short outline (approximately 500 words) of your intended research project.
Be sure to provide a draft HDR Preliminary Research Thesis Topic Proposal when you contact your proposed supervisor. The proposed supervisor may ask for additional information to support your application.
It can take up to 25 working days for the Graduate Research School to review your application. If you have not contacted a potential supervisor, or have not submitted complete documentation with your application, this process may take longer.
Once your application has been reviewed, you will be formally notified by email of the admission decision.
Find out more
Connect with us - start a conversation, whenever suits you.
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1800 269 500
Email us at study@unisq.edu.au
Frequently asked questions
PhD is short for Doctor of Philosophy – a globally recognised research qualification. Traditionally, PhD students completed a substantial piece of original research which is presented as a thesis or dissertation. This research is conducted under the guidance of at least one expert supervisor.
Discover more about higher degrees by research at UniSQ.
If you have a passion for research and want to expand your knowledge in your choose field beyond a masters degree, a PhD might be for you. Other reasons to study a doctorate degree include:
- expanding your career prospects with the highest achievable postgraduate qualification.
- become an expert – after your PhD you will be considered an expert in your choose area of research.
- showcasing your transferrable skills. Achieving a PhD degree involves more than research – your qualification demonstrates your work ethic, problem solving skills, commitment, communication skills and much more depending on your choose research topic.
A PhD qualification can open up many exciting career paths in a variety of roles and settings including:
- academica or government
- postdoctoral positions at a university or research institute
- graduate lecturer
- researcher/consultant
- non-government or private organisations
- scientific research
- researcher/consultant in industry or non-for-profit.
- entrepreneur.
A PhD degree will take you approximately three years to complete. Some students choose to study part-time which increases the time it takes to complete the doctorate.
To start a PhD you need to clarify your research topic and seek an academic staff member to be your supervisor, therefore we recommend allowing several months to consider your application.
Graduating with a PhD is a noteworthy achievement as it is considered the highest postgraduate achievement you can earn. After completing your Doctor of Philosophy you will likely be considered an expert in your field, opening up a variety of new career paths. After completing your PhD, take this unique opportunity to:
- Tailor your resume – showcase the skills and knowledge you learnt during your studies, including transferrable skills. Don’t be modest about your achievement as it is significant and your potential employer may not understand what it took to achieve a PhD.
- Networking – put your newly found expertise to good use by attending industry events and meeting other experts or notable professionals in your field. This will not only expand your horizons but may lead to potential job opportunities.
The cost of a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree will vary depending on the education provider you choose. All Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, and New Zealand citizens commencing a Higher Degree by Research (HDR) degree will have their tuition fees paid by the Australian Commonwealth Government under the Research Training Program (RTP) Fees Offset scheme.
For further information on Fees, including RTP and scholarships, please view the fees and scholarships section of this page.
The entry requirements for studying a PhD degree can vary depending on your chosen education provider. At UniSQ applicants must hold either a relevant bachelor honours degree, masters degree or other qualifications and satisfy applicable English Language requirements.
For further details please view the entry requirements section of this page.
Get a strong start to your research career:
- UniSQ is within the top 2% of universities worldwide (THE World University Rankings, 2024).
- Study for your PhD while balancing your life work and family commitments with flexible online or on-campus study.
- Benefit from our leading research expertise, extending across three research institutes and nine research centres.
- We are proud to partner with industry leaders to drive impactful change, giving our students opportunities to experience research in real-world environments.
