Doctor of Philosophy - Education (DR-PHILEDU) // Course structure

Course structure

Candidates enrol in a thesis subject for the duration of the course and undertake original research under academic supervision. The research project is designed to be completed in 3 years full-time equivalent with two possible six-month extensions to the maximum candidature duration of 4 years full-time equivalent. 

Course rules 

Candidates must: 

• satisfy any relevant regulatory requirements prior to or following commencement as required;
• complete required mandatory training;
• complete specified academic progress requirements;
• spend a minimum of 12 months full-time equivalent study at the University unless otherwise approved by the Pro Vice-Chancellor for graduate research;
• present the results of their research at a completion seminar prior to thesis submission. 

Assessment 

Award of the degree is based on examination of the thesis and an oral deliberation (viva). 

The thesis usually comprises a dissertation of 80,000 words up to a maximum of 100,000 words, inclusive of footnotes but exclusive of tables, maps, bibliographies and appendices. Publications, or sections of a publication, arising from research undertaken during the course may be incorporated into the thesis, subject to any requirements or limitations set out in University policy. 

The approval of the Pro Vice-Chancellor for graduate research is required to exceed the maximum word limit or write the thesis in a language other than English, unless otherwise specified in a Joint PhD agreement. 

Creative work

The thesis may comprise creative or non-traditional research outputs and a dissertation to the equivalent of 80,000 words. The dissertation must be of at least 40,000 words; weighted at 50% of the thesis  and must present the research objectives addressed and contextualise the research as new knowledge. Inclusion of non-traditional research outputs and creative works need to be justified methodologically in the thesis and at the preconfirmation and confirmation meetings. The creative work must be documented and either the documentation or the creative work itself submitted with the dissertation. 

The creative or non-traditional research output may take the form of exhibition or multimedia subject to the capacity of the faculty to resource the proposed creative work.  

The form, weighting and presentation of the creative or non-traditional research output must be agreed at confirmation.  

Refer to the Graduate Research Hub for further information. 

Coursework Component

A candidate may be required to supplement their research program by attending or enrolling in additional subjects, if considered necessary by the supervisors. Enrolment in coursework subjects must not exceed one-third of the expected course duration.  

Research internship elective 

Candidates may undertake a research internship elective subject for a minimum of 60 full-time equivalent days, up to a maximum duration of 6 months. The internship must be with a research end-user, as defined by the Department of Education. 

To be eligible to enrol in the internship subject, candidates must: 

• be enrolled (or under examination) in the course and remain enrolled for the entire period of the internship;
• be able to complete the internship before completion of the degree;
• have the approval of their supervisor;
• be making satisfactory progress in the course;
• have completed mandatory research integrity training. 

Subject options

Credit points are not assigned to the research thesis subjects that are offered as part of graduate research courses. The load or weight varies according to the duration and structure of the course, enrolment status (i.e. full-time or part-time), etc.

EDUC80001 Phd Research 

Last updated: 27 February 2025