Doctor of Philosophy

A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) at Adelaide University is a research degree. Over four years of full-time study, you work on a single, substantial research project in philosophy and write a thesis that makes an original contribution to the field. Most candidates spend the first year refining their topic and completing a literature review, then several years on research and writing, with regular supervision meetings throughout. The final stage is submission and examination of the thesis by external assessors.

How the degree is structured

The PhD is a research qualification, not a coursework degree. You do not sit through a set list of units. Instead, you work under a principal supervisor and usually a co-supervisor who guide your reading, research design and writing. Some candidates take a small number of research methods or professional development units early on, but the core of the degree is independent research. Progress is checked through milestone reviews, typically a confirmation of candidature after about a year, then annual progress reports until submission. The thesis is the final deliverable, and it is examined by scholars outside the university.

What you actually study

Philosophy PhD topics vary widely. You might work on ethics, political philosophy, metaphysics, epistemology, logic, philosophy of mind, philosophy of science, or the history of philosophy. The exact topic depends on your interests and the expertise available in the department. You will spend a lot of time reading, writing, and arguing, the same skills that philosophy demands at every level, but applied to a question no one has fully answered yet. The degree trains you to frame a research problem, engage critically with existing literature, and present a sustained argument over tens of thousands of words.

Who it suits

This degree suits someone who has already completed an honours year or a master's degree with a research component in philosophy or a closely related field, and who wants to pursue an academic career or a research-intensive role outside academia. It also suits people who simply have a philosophical question they cannot let go of and want the time and supervision to work it through properly. If you prefer structured coursework and clear weekly tasks, a PhD may not be the right fit, it is largely self-directed.

Australian context and practical matters

The PhD sits at the top of the Australian Qualifications Framework. A bachelor degree is normally three years, an honours year adds one, a master's is one to two, and a doctorate is three or more, this one is four years full-time. International students in Australia can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while studying, and after graduating may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, which allows you to stay and work in Australia for a period. English requirements for international applicants are set by the university and by the Department of Home Affairs for the student visa; check the official page for the exact scores accepted for this course. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register under course code 116030H. Confirm all details, including supervision availability and entry requirements, on the official university page before applying.

• University lecturer or researcher (after further postdoctoral work)
• Research fellow in philosophy or interdisciplinary research centres
• Policy analyst in government or non-government organisations
• Ethics advisor in health, technology or public sector bodies
• Writer or editor for academic publishers, think tanks or media
• Secondary or tertiary teacher (with additional teaching qualification where required)
• Consultant in research, strategy or analysis for private firms