Doctor of Philosophy

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

Students are also required to complete compulsory coursework or training activities as part of the Monash doctoral programMonash doctoral program (http://www.monash.edu/migr/future-students/phd). These discipline-specific and professional development activities are designed to impart skills and knowledge that will assist students to conduct their research.

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 9, the Bologna Cycle 3 and Monash Graduate AttributesAustralian Qualifications Framework level 10, the Bologna Cycle 3 and Monash Graduate Attributes (http://monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/alignmentofoutcomes.html).

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 student's capacity to carry out independent original research.

Conditions of enrolment

Students are to refer to the Handbook for Doctoral DegreesHandbook for Doctoral Degrees (http://www.monash.edu/migr/faqs-and-resources/content) for all policies and procedures relating to their enrolment.

This course consists of:

• a research and thesis component
• a coursework study and/or training program, depending on the program.

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

(1.) carry out a program of research on an agreed topic approved by the school or department of enrolment in the student'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

(2.) submit for assessment a thesis of not more than 80,000 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 Submission of the thesis based on or partially based on conjointly published or unpublished workconjointly published or unpublished work (http://www.monash.edu.au/migr/examiners/publication/) may be permitted.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.

(3.) satisfactorily complete a program of coursework study and/or professional development training as outlined under 'PhD programs' below.

Students must pass any required coursework units, the assessment of which is conducted in accordance with the University's Assessment in Coursework Units PolicyAssessment in Coursework Units Policy (http://policy.monash.edu.au/policy-bank/academic/education/assessment/assessment-in-coursework-units-policy.html) and supporting procedures. If a student fails a coursework component of their degree, they can repeat the relevant unit once in a later semester. Students who fail to pass the repeat attempt of the unit may be subject to a termination process under the Graduate Research Termination ProceduresGraduate Research Termination Procedures (http://policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/research/mrgs/grad-research-termination-procedures.html).

Students are required to undertake regular progress milestones to support them in conducting research of an appropriate quality, originality and depth as required by their course of study, in accordance with the Graduate Research Progress Management policyGraduate Research Progress Management policy (http://policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/research/mrgs/grad-research-progress-mgmt-policy.html) and supporting procedures.

PhD programs

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

• Film, media and communications PhD program
• Historical studies PhD program
• Linguistics and applied linguistics PhD program
• Literary and cultural studies PhD program
• Philosophy PhD program
• Social and political sciences PhD program
• Theatre, performance and music PhD program