Doctor of Philosophy

The Doctor of Philosophy at Torrens University Australia is a research degree for people who want to spend three years on a single, original question. You work under supervision rather than sitting through lectures. The main deliverable is a thesis that makes a genuine contribution to knowledge in your field. Across the three years, you move through confirmed candidature, data collection or creative work, analysis, and writing up, with regular milestones and progress reviews along the way.

How the degree is structured

As a doctorate, this sits at the top of the Australian Qualifications Framework. A PhD is normally three years full time, and Torrens runs it that way. There are no semesters of coursework in the usual sense; you enrol in research units and your progress is measured in credit points attached to candidature milestones. Full-time candidates typically commit to a substantial weekly workload, and part-time study is often possible. The thesis is the capstone, examined by external experts in your area.

You will not be on your own. Each candidate gets a supervisory panel, usually a principal supervisor plus associate supervisors, who meet with you regularly. Your home school gives you access to research seminars, library databases and, where relevant, industry partners. Some projects involve fieldwork, archival work, creative practice or collaboration with an outside organisation, depending on the topic and the arrangements your supervisor sets up.

What you actually do

You learn how to frame a researchable problem, review the literature critically, choose methods that fit the question, manage a long project, and write to a publishable standard. You also present your work to peers and at conferences, which is how research careers are built. Many candidates publish papers or book chapters before submitting. The skills you gain are transferable: project management, data analysis, argument, and the ability to explain complex ideas clearly.

This suits someone who already has a bachelor degree with a strong research component, or a master's, and who wants to work in academia, research institutes, government, or a specialist role in industry. It also suits professionals who want to solve a problem from their own field in depth. International applicants need to meet the university's English requirements, and if you are coming to Australia on a student visa, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session. After graduating, the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream may be available, depending on your circumstances. Confirm entry requirements, fees and CRICOS details on the official Torrens University page and the CRICOS register before you apply.

• University lecturer or researcher, after building a publication record
• Postdoctoral research fellow in Australian universities and medical research institutes
• Research officer or policy analyst in federal and state government departments
• Research and development roles in private industry, including technology, health and education companies
• Consultant or specialist adviser in professional services firms
• Data analyst or social researcher in not-for-profit and community organisations
• Academic or research leadership roles in Australia and overseas