Doctor of Philosophy - Fine Arts and Music (DR-PHILFAM)

The degree of Doctor of Philosophy signifies that the holder has undertaken a substantial piece of original research, which has been conducted and reported by the holder under proper academic supervision and in a research environment for a prescribed period.

The PhD thesis demonstrates authority in the candidate's field and shows evidence of command of knowledge in relevant fields. It shows that the candidate has a thorough grasp of the appropriate methodological techniques and an awareness of their limitations. The thesis also makes a distinct contribution to knowledge. Its contribution to knowledge rests on originality of approach and / or interpretation of the findings and, in some cases, the discovery of new facts. The thesis demonstrates an ability to communicate research findings effectively in the professional arena and in an international context. It is a careful, rigorous and sustained piece of work demonstrating that a research 'apprenticeship' is complete and the holder is admitted to the community of scholars in the discipline.

In scope, the PhD thesis differs from a research Masters thesis chiefly by its deeper and more comprehensive treatment of the chosen subject. It is written succinctly, in English, unless approval has been given for the thesis to be written in a language other than English. The normal length of a PhD thesis is 80,000 words, exclusive of words in tables, maps, bibliographies and appendices. Footnotes are included as part of the word limit. The thesis should not exceed 100,000 words (or equivalent) without special approval from the Research Higher Degrees Committee.

Except in the disciplines of Creative Arts Therapies, Music Psychology, Music Therapy and Musicology/Ethnomusicology, the thesis may be submitted as Creative Work and Dissertation. Any thesis submitted as Creative Work and Dissertation will be examined as an integrated whole.

The Faculty of Fine Arts and Music offers PhD programmes in the following disciplines:

At the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music:

• Composition
• Interactive Composition
• Jazz & Improvisation
• Music Performance
• Music Psychology
• Music Therapy
• Musicology/Ethnomusicology

At the Victorian College of the Arts

• Dance
• Design
• Film and Television
• Indigenous Arts and Culture
• Music Theatre
• Production
• Theatre
• Visual Art

Through the Faculty of Fine Arts and Music

• Creative Arts Therapies

Theses submitted as Creative Work and dissertation must be equivalent to 80,000 words – for details see Course Structure below.