Doctor of Philosophy - Fine Arts and Music (DR-PHILFAM) // 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 and must present the research objectives addressed and contextualise the research as new knowledge. The creative work must be documented and either the documentation or the creative work itself submitted with the dissertation. 

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

Candidates enrolled in disciplines offered by the Victorian College of the Arts are required to complete the following subject in their first semester of enrolment:

Candidates enrolled in disciplines offered by the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music who do not have the appropriate research methodology background may be required to take the following Research Methodology subject in the first semester of their candidature:

Candidates in the discipline of Music Psychology are required to complete the following subject in their first semester of enrolment:

Thesis Submission

Creative Arts Therapies, Music Psychology, Music Therapy and Musicology/Ethnomusicology

PhD candidates undertake supervised work that leads to a thesis (of approximately 80,000 words).

Research in Creative Arts and Music Therapy is significantly supported and promoted by the Creative Arts and Music Therapy Research Unit.

Dance, Design, Film and Television, Indigenous Arts and Culture, Music Theatre, Production, Social Practice and Community Engagement, Theatre and Visual Art

The PhD thesis may take the form of performance and/or corpus of creative work, plus a dissertation of 40,000 - 50,000 words which aims to address, elucidate and contextualise the work; or as a written dissertation of approximately 80,000 words.

Composition

PhD candidates in Composition submit a folio and dissertation. The folio will constitute 90-120 minutes of music and is weighted at 70%. The accompanying dissertation will be 20-25,000 words and weighted at 30%.

Interactive Composition

PhD candidates in interactive Composition submit a folio and dissertation. The folio will constitute 90-120 minutes of music and sound with other media and is weighted at 70%. The accompanying dissertation will be 20-25,000 words and weighted at 30%.

Jazz & Improvisation

PhD candidates undertake supervised work that leads to a dissertation, normally of 40,000-50,000 words, and a folio of creative work. The thesis and folio must be presented in a form that can be sent for assessment by external examiners who are usually international.

Music Performance

PhD candidates undertake supervised work that leads to a dissertation, normally of 20-25,000 words, and a folio of performances equivalent to 3 full recitals or 210 minutes. The thesis and folio must be presented in a form that can be sent for assessment by external examiners who are usually international. The performance folio must created during the candidature for the purposes of fulfilling the requirements of the PhD.

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. 

Last updated: 27 February 2025