Doctor of Philosophy
Admission requirements: A Bachelor degree with first class honours or second-class honours division 1 or a Master degree with a substantial research component
Length of candidature: 2-4 years full time; 2-8 years part time
External candidature: available only in special circumstances in some disciplines
Facilities for the completion of PhD degrees by research are available in all Departments. To be eligible for admission a candidate must normally possess either a Master degree with a substantial research component, or a Bachelor degree with first-class or second-class honours division 1 from a recognised university or other tertiary institution. The minimum period of candidature is two years and the maximum period is four years for full-time candidates and eight years for part-time candidates. Extensions may be granted in special circumstances. Part-time candidates must be able to spend on average throughout the year at least 20 hours a week on a program of research and advanced study and attend the University on an average of at least once a week for consultation with their supervisors.
The program of advanced study and research for the degree includes the presentation of a thesis embodying the results of the student's work. The thesis for a PhD must form a distinct contribution to the knowledge of the subject and afford evidence of originality by the discovery of new facts or the exercise of independent critical power. A candidate's program of study must be supervised by a member of the fulltime academic staff of the University, or an approved part-time member of academic staff, and will normally be carried out within the University. There is, however, provision for a candidate to be permitted to carry out much of the program outside the University as an external candidate. In this case the place of study, method of supervision and periods of attendance at the University must be approved by the University.
Before submitting a thesis, all students, including external candidates, must have followed an approved program of advanced study and research within the University for a period determined by the Higher Degree Research Committee and normally not less than 2 years. External candidates are required to be on a campus of the University for a minimum of three months, sufficient part of which must be during the final phase of thesis preparation.