Doctor of Philosophy

• Entry requirements
• Candidature
  • External PhD candidature

The degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is undertaken by thesis (100 per cent research), however the PhD may also be undertaken by a combination of thesis and coursework in the discipline of critical theory.

Entry requirements

The minimum qualifications for admission to PhD candidature are:

• a bachelors degree requiring at least four years of full-time study, which normally includes a research component including a grade of distinction or above for the research component in the level four, leading to an honours degree class 1 or honours class 2 A level

or

• a masters qualifying (MQual) with a research component with an overall grade of H2A or above as well as a grade of distinction or above for the research component, or equivalent masters preliminary qualification

or

• a masters degree with a significant research component at least equivalent to an honours degree (H2A level).

In addition, the PhD regulations make provision for research masters degree candidates to transfer their candidature after a minimum period of nine months full-time (or part-time equivalent) of satisfactory performance.

The maximum period of PhD candidature is four years of full-time or eight years of part-time study.

Candidature

All matters concerning the degree of PhD are handled by the Research Graduate School Committee of the Academic Board. The Arts Research Graduate School transmits all recommendations regarding the PhD candidature of arts students to this committee.

The Doctoral Information Handbook provides comprehensive information about the PhD degree and is available from the Monash Research Graduate School.
An intending candidate must complete an application form for admission to PhD candidature. Application forms are available from the Monash Research Graduate School website at http://www.monash.edu.au/ phdschol/ or the Faculty of Arts research office.
PhD students can start their candidature at any time of the year. Refer to the table under `Areas of study for postgraduate programs' for a comprehensive list of study areas available to research students.
Refer to individual discipline entries in this handbook to obtain details of research interests for postgraduate supervision.

External PhD candidature

A number of external PhD places are available to suitable applicants. Both local and international students can apply, but it is usually expected that international students have had some previous contact with Monash University. A 15-day residency period each year is obligatory. Application forms are available on the web.

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