Postgraduate - Course0020 - Doctor of Philosophy

Candidature in a Doctor of Philosophy involves the independent investigation of a research problem that has been formulated by the candidate. It is expected that the research undertaken will make a significant contribution to the discipline in which the candidate is enrolled. Doctoral candidates are supported by a minimum of two supervisors throughout their candidature.

In some discipline areas on some campuses, candidates are required to complete a compulsory program of coursework and/or training. These discipline-specific programs are designed to impart skills and knowledge that will assist candidates to conduct their research.

Successful completion of the program will signify that the holder has completed a course of postgraduate training in research under proper academic supervision and has submitted a thesis that the examiners have declared to be a significant contribution to knowledge and which demonstrates the candidate's capacity to carry out independent research.

Candidature rules

For all candidature rules and other important information for PhD candidates refer to the Handbook for Doctoral DegreesHandbook for Doctoral Degrees (http://www.monash.edu.au/migr/research-degrees/handbook/content/).

This course consists of:

• a research and thesis component
• if enrolled as an on-campus student at a Monash Australia campus, a coursework study and training program.

Admission to programs for external candidates will be considered on an individual basis.

Research topics are available in most of the faculty's areas of research strengths, depending on supervision and resource availability. Each candidate enrolled at a Monash Australia campus will be assigned to the coursework study and training program most relevant to their research focus from the following:

• Film, media and communications HDR program
• Geography, environment and sustainability HDR program
• Historical studies HDR program
• Linguistics and applied linguistics HDR program
• Literary and cultural studies HDR program
• Musicology HDR program
• Philosophy HDR program
• Social and political sciences HDR program
• Theatre and performance studies HDR program
• Translation and interpreting studies HDR program

Candidates must, in consultation with and under the direct supervision of a member/s of the academic staff:

(a.) carry out a program of research on an agreed topic approved by the school or department of enrolment in the candidate's chosen discipline for a specified period, including attending and/or presenting at seminars and other related activities as indicated by the relevant department/school

(b.) submit for assessment a thesis of not more than 100,000 words on the program of research which meets the requirements of the examiners. Submission of the thesis based on or partially based on conjointly published or unpublished work may be permitted.

In certain disciplines in the faculty, creative work or performance or a written critical commentary may also form part of the thesis assessment.

(c.) if enrolled as an on-campus student at a Monash Australia campus, or an external candidate approved to participate in the program, satisfactorily complete a program of coursework study and training as outlined under 'Areas of study'.

Candidates must pass all coursework units. If a candidate fails a coursework component of their degree, they can repeat the relevant unit once in a later semester. Candidates who fail to pass the repeat attempt of the unit will be subject to a termination process under the Candidature Progress Management RegulationsCandidature Progress Management Regulations (http://www.monash.edu.au/legal/legislation/research-graduate-school-committee-regulations/candidature-progress-management-regulations.pdf) (refer also to the Candidature Progress Management policypolicy (http://www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/research/mrgs/candidature-progress-management-policy.html) and proceduresprocedures (http://www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/research/mrgs/termination-of-candidature-procedures.html)).

Doctor of Philosophy