The Doctor of Philosophy (Integrated) is a research degree commencing with a cohort-based foundation year of research preparation followed by an independent, supervised research project.
The subjects covered in the first year support the development of the research project and include generic research training and discipline-specific units. These provide you with strategies for a successful research journey, appropriate research design and methodology, timely completion, and effective writing and communication skills. You must achieve an overall weighted average mark (WAM) of 70% in the first year of research preparation in order to continue into the thesis component of the course. A PhD(I) may be undertaken in a variety of areas within ECU, provided there are supervisors available in your proposed research area, and the resources and facilities required to complete your proposed project are accessible. ECU encourages interdisciplinary research that may span multiple research fields and Schools. We encourage you to view the Research Activity pages of the School websites for ECU’s areas of research focus.
Course Entry
Admission requirements you’ll need to meet for this course.
PhD candidates are required to make a significant and original contribution to a discipline or profession by submitting one of the following, equivalent to 70,000–100,000 words:
- a written research thesis
- a written research thesis including associated papers
- an artefact, such as a creative work or design product, with an accompanying exegesis (critical explanation).
As a PhD candidate, you’re expected to:
- conduct independent research of high originality and quality
- independently conceive of, design, conduct and complete a research project or program
- develop a critical knowledge and understanding of the research area and methodological approaches
- communicate convincingly with clarity and relevance to appropriate audiences.
Entry requirements PhD (Doctor of Philosophy)
You must have a demonstrated ability to undertake significant research in a defined area of interest to enrol in a research degree at Swinburne. When applying to undertake a higher degree by research, you must:
- comply with Swinburne’s English language requirements
- have met one of the minimum entry requirements listed in one of the study areas or demonstrate equivalent prior learning and research experience as set out in Swinburne’s required standards of achievement and research experience.
Partnered and offshore PhD programs
Our partnered and offshore PhD programs allow you to complete your research degree jointly at Swinburne and at an international or Australian partner university.
Graduate Certificate of Research and Innovation Management
As part of your Doctor of Philosophy program, you will concurrently earn a Graduate Certificate of Research and Innovation Management (GC-RESIM).
You will complete the coursework (two core units and two electives) alongside your PhD program. Course material is delivered via both online units and on-campus workshops. The assessments for core units are embedded within existing PhD milestones to avoid disruption.
This course will expose you to various industry practices within your chosen field and provide you with a wider range of career options. This course has been designed to enhance the experience, career prospects and employability of PhD students through innovative research training.
Study areas
Swinburne offers PhD study in broad research areas. Find out more about the specific research expertise and opportunities available in the following areas:
- Business (DR-BUS)
- Business — Practice Based Research (DR-BUSPRC)
- Clinical Psychology (DR-PHICP)
- Design (DR-DES)
- Engineering (DR-ENG)
- Health Sciences (DR-HTHSCI)
- Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (DR-HAS)
- Information and Communication Technology (DR-ICT)
- Information Systems (DR-IS)
- Law (DR-LAW)
- Science (DR-SCI)
- Technology Innovation — Science, Engineering and Technology (DR-TECHIN)
- Technology Innovation — Health, Arts, and Design (DR-TECHAD)
- Technology Innovation in Business and Law (DR-TECFBL)
- Academic Admission requirements (Band 10)The following course-specific admission requirements are mandatory and must be satisfied by all applicants. These requirements are in addition to or supersede the minimum requirements outlined within the Academic admission requirements band section below. All applicants are required to hold a Master by Coursework in a related field. Alternatively applicants can hold an Honours degree, or the equivalent in a relevant field from a recognised University, Applicants seeking online study will be required to provide additional information to support their application, as not all projects nor disciplines are suited to online study. Academic admission requirements (Band 10) may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:
- Masters Degree (Research);
- Masters Degree (Coursework) in a related discipline area;
- Masters Degree (Coursework) with 2/3 research component; or
- Bachelor Honours Degree.
- English Language requirements (Band 4)English competency requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:
- IELTS Academic Overall band minimum score of 6.5 (no individual band less than 6.0);
- Bachelor degree from a country specified on the English Proficiency Bands page;
- Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at postgraduate level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent);
- Where accepted, equivalent prior learning, including at least five years relevant professional experience; or
- Other tests, courses or programs defined on the English Proficiency Bands page. English Language Requirements for Nursing and Midwifery:
International students (other than those students schooled in a recognised country as defined by APHRA at http://www.ahpra.gov.au/Registration/Registration-Standards/English-language-skills.aspx) are required to provide any English language test approved by AHPRA with a score equivalent to an IELTS Academic overall minimum score of 7.0 (no individual band less than 7.0). Internationally schooled applicants may also be required to meet this requirement or we may require additional information to confirm that requirements have been satisfied.
Course Details
Choose student typeToggle between Domestic and International courseDomestic studentsInternational students
Semester availability
Semester 1: Study full-time at Joondalup, Mount Lawley or Online
Semester 1: Study part-time at Joondalup, Mount Lawley or Online
Semester 2: Study full-time at Joondalup, Mount Lawley or Online
Semester 2: Study part-time at Joondalup, Mount Lawley or Online
Course Structure
| Unit Code | Unit Title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|
| For candidates commencing from 2018 the examination process will consist of both a written and oral component. | ||
| RES5115 | Research Preparation: Principles and Approaches | 20 |
| WRS6000 | Writing and Reading Skills for Researchers | 20 |
| PRO6000 | Research Project 1 | 20 |
| Unit Code | Unit Title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|
| CPR6100 | Communicating and Promoting Research | 20 |
| PRO6110 | Research Project 2 | 40 |
Students must achieve an overall weighted average mark (WAM) of 70% in the first year of coursework in order to continue to the thesis component of the course.
| Unit Code | Unit Title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|
| Each semester students enrol into the relevant discipline specific research thesis unit at 50% or 100% of full-time enrolment. | ||
| AGR7200 ^ | Doctor of Philosophy Thesis (Agriculture, Environmental and Related Studies) | |
| ARC7200 ^ | Doctor of Philosophy Thesis (Architecture and Building) | |
| ART7200 ^ | Doctor of Philosophy Thesis (Creative Arts) | |
| COM7200 ^ | Doctor of Philosophy Thesis (Management and Commerce) | |
| ETN7200 ^ | Doctor of Philosophy Thesis (Education) | |
| HLT7200 ^ | Doctor of Philosophy Thesis (Health) | |
| INF7200 ^ | Doctor of Philosophy Thesis (Information Technology) | |
| NAT7200 ^ | Doctor of Philosophy Thesis (Natural and Physical Sciences) | |
| SCL7200 ^ | Doctor of Philosophy Thesis (Society and Culture) |
^ Core Option
J42|7
For more detailed unit information for this course take a look at our Handbook. To organise your life for next semester visit the Semester timetable. The Student handbook
PhD Unit Sets you can study in this course
- Biology.
- Business
- Chemistry
- Communication, Media Studies and Journalism
- Computer Science
- Counselling
- Criminology
- Cyber Security
- Design
- Education
- Environmental Studies
- Exercise and Sports Science
- Law
- Mathematics
- Medical Science
- Nursing and Midwifery
- Nutrition and Dietetics
- Occupational Therapy
- Paramedical Science
- Performing Arts
- Physics
- Politics and Government
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Security Science
- Social Science
- Speech Pathology
- Visual Arts and Design
- Writing
Course Notes
Important course notes
- Cross-Campus attendance Students may be required to attend classes on more than one occasion to demonstrate the course.
- Non standard timetable requirements Students are expected to meet regularly with their supervisors as part of the supervised independent research component of the course.
Course Learning Outcomes
- Take responsibility and show initiative for designing and executing original research, demonstrating capacity to generate new knowledge with intellectual independence.
- Integrate substantial and systemic understanding of complex discipline knowledge with research principles and methods to demonstrate expertise in the field.
- Apply communication skills to explain and critique theoretical propositions, methodologies and conclusions, and cogently present findings of a complex and original investigation to peers and the broader community.
- Use expert skills and authoritative judgement to adapt and implement research methodologies and conduct systematic and independent investigation of theory and/or practice at the frontier of a discipline.
Fees and scholarships
Choose a student type Toggle between domestic and international courses Domestic students and international students
If you’re a domestic student enrolled in a Higher Degree by Research program, you won’t be required to pay tuition fees. The Australian Government provides domestic students with tuition fee offsets under the Research Training Program (RTP) for up to 4 years, full-time (or equivalent) for doctoral studies. Notes The RTP covers your tuition fees only. You will still be required to pay all other non-tuition fees applicable to your course, such as the Student Services and Amenities Fee.
Scholarships
ECU has a scholarship program that provides many opportunities each year to students undertaking studies here. Find a scholarship.
Career Opportunities
Throughout your PhD, you will be supported to develop high-level research and professional skills such as project design and execution, problem identification, definition and solving, critical thinking and analysis, data management, utilising research methods and methodologies, teamwork, negotiation and networking, high-level technical skills in your field, and communicating to different audiences. With the majority of PhD graduates now pursuing careers outside academia, the skills and research training embedded in the PhD prime you to move into a variety of sectors and roles, including management, consulting, commercial R&D, research management, entrepreneurship, public policy, government, finance, technical services, biotech, education, and project coordination/management.
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