Doctor of Philosophy - Business and Economics

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.

A PhD thesis should:

• constitute 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;
• demonstrate authority in the candidates field and show evidence of command of knowledge in relevant fields;
• demonstrate a thorough grasp of the appropriate methodological techniques and an awareness of their limitations;
• make a contribution to knowledge that rests on originality of approach and/or interpretation of the findings and, in some cases, the discovery of new facts; and
• demonstrate the candidates ability to communicate research findings effectively in the professional arena and in an international context.

About the PhD

Candidates are required to present a thesis in such a form as the Academic Board may from time to time prescribe. Advice is available from the relevant Graduate Research Director of the Department or the Faculty of Business and Economics.

• Course Structure: 4 Year Doctoral Program (Masters by Coursework followed by PhD)

The Departments of Accounting, Economics, Finance, and Management and Marketing offer a four year Doctoral Program with a preliminary year in which the candidate is enrolled in a coursework degree. Upon successful completion of this preliminary year with an average of 75% or above, the candidate is enrolled in the PhD, which begins with a coursework year. In the third and fourth years of the Program candidates complete a research thesis. Confirmation of candidature is approved on the basis of successful completion of the coursework subjects and an approved thesis proposal. The decision to award the degree is based solely on the examination of the thesis. Examiners of the thesis are informed that the candidate has undertaken a course of study by thesis and coursework component, and that the thesis may be shorter than one presented by a candidate pursuing the degree by research alone, but should be comparable in research quality.

• Course Structure: PhD by Thesis only

The Centre for Actuarial Studies offers a three-year PhD by Thesis only.

PhD (Accounting)

Students should visit the handbook entry for MC-COMACCT for detailed information on the Master of Commerce (Accounting). Students who attain an average of at least 75% in that course will proceed as probationary candidates to the PhD degree.

To advance to confirmed candidature, students must pass all the required coursework subjects in the first year of the PhD (the second year of the Doctoral Program) with at least a 75% average and present an acceptable dissertation proposal. Post-confirmation, in years three and four of the program, students will conduct research leading to the completion of their dissertation.

Year 1 (100 points of coursework)

Plus four elective subjects chosen from Economics, Econometrics, Statistics, Mathematics, Management or Psychology subjects at a graduate or advanced undergraduate level relevant to the student's research interests. These subjects will be chosen in consultation with the Graduate Research Director.

Years 2 and 3

The final 2 years of the PhD consists of thesis research.

PhD (Economics and MIAESR)

Students should visit the handbook entry for MC-ECO for detailed information on the Master of Economics. This year will consist of coursework. Students who attain an average of at least 75% in that course will proceed as probationary candidates to the PhD degree.

To advance to confirmed candidature, students must pass all the required coursework subjects in the first year of the PhD (the second year of the Doctoral Program) with at least a 75% average and present an acceptable dissertation proposal. Post-confirmation, in years three and four of the program, students will conduct research leading to the completion of their dissertation.

Year 1 (100 points of coursework)

Students must complete both of the fololowing core subjects:

Studenets must complete two electives in each semester from the following list:

or equivalent subjects as approved by the Graduate Research Director,

AND:

Years 2 and 3

The final 2 years of the program consists of thesis research.

PhD (Finance)

Students should visit the handbook entry for 202AF for detailed information on the Master of Commerce (Finance). This year will consist of coursework. Students who attain an average of at least 75% in that course will proceed as probationary candidates to the PhD degree.

To advance to confirmed candidature, students must pass all the required coursework subjects in the first year of the PhD (the second year of the Doctoral Program) with at least a 75% average and present an acceptable dissertation proposal. Post-confirmation, in years three and four of the program, students will conduct research leading to the completion of their dissertation.

Year 1 (100 points of coursework)

Please Note that FNCE90059 Finance Thesis Workshop must be taken over two semester (25 points in total)

* Plus one of the following subjects from the Economics area:

* And one of the following subjects from the Econometrics area:

* Plus two subjects from the Economics/Econometrics/Mathematics areas: or

* Selection of these subjects must be approved by the Finance PhD Director.

Years 2 and 3

The final 2 years of the program consists of thesis research.

PhD (Management and Marketing)

Students should visit the handbook entry for MC-COMMGT or MC-COMMKT for detailed information on the Master of Commerce (Management) or the Master of Commerce (Marketing). This year will consist of coursework. Students who attain an average of at least 75% in that course will proceed as probationary candidates to the PhD degree.

To advance to confirmed candidature, students must pass all the required coursework subjects in the first year of the PhD (the second year of the Doctoral Program) with at least a 75% average and present an acceptable dissertation proposal. Post-confirmation, in years three and four of the program, students will conduct research leading to the completion of their dissertation.

Year 1 (50 or 75 points of coursework, depending on whether a Research Report was completed in the Master of Commerce year)

Students must select two elective subjects from a related discipline, including Economics, Psychology, Sociology, Ethnography, Political Science, Decision Sciences, etc. These subjects must be approved by the Supervisor(s) and Graduate Research Director. Students who completed the Research Report in their Masters by Coursework year will be required to complete additional coursework of 25 points.

Years 2 and 3

The final 2 years of the program consists of thesis research.

PhD (Actuarial Studies)

Duration

Three years full-time or equivalent part-time. Available by Research Thesis only (no coursework).

1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:

• a four-year bachelor degree in a relevant discipline which includes a substantial research component equivalent to at least 25% of one year of full-time study and have achieved a minimum weighted average of 75% in the final year subjects or (University of Melbourne) equivalent, or
• a masters degree in a relevant discipline which includes a substantial research component equivalent to at least 25% of one year of full-time study and achieved a minimum weighted average of 75% or (University of Melbourne) equivalent, or
• a qualification and professional experience considered to be equivalent;

and

• a research proposal (except for applicants in the disciplines of Accounting, Economics, Finance, the Melbourne Institute)
• referee reports (except for applicants who have graduated from the University of Melbourne within the last 5 years); and
• the endorsement of a prospective supervisor.

Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.

2. In selecting applicants, the selection committee will consider applicants:

• prior academic performance, and if relevant, professional qualifications;
• understanding of the research question to be explored;
• the results of a Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) test or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) completed within the last 5 years;
• performance at an interview;
• motivation and capacity to complete the course in a timely manner;
• relevant prior research and/or professional experience; and
• the referee reports.

3. The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board rules on the use of selection instruments.

4. Applicants are required to satisfy the university's English language requirements for graduate courses.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Research degrees at the University of Melbourne seek to develop graduates who demonstrate academic leadership, increasing independence, creativity and innovation in their research work.

The University expects its research degree graduates to have the following qualities and skills:

• an ability to initiate research and to formulate viable research questions;
• a demonstrated capacity to design, conduct and report sustained and original research;
• the capacity to contextualise research within an international corpus of specialist knowledge;
• an ability to evaluate and synthesize research-based and scholarly literature;
• an understanding of key disciplinary and multi-disciplinary norms and perspectives relevant to the field;
• highly developed problem-solving abilities and flexibility of approach;
• the ability to analyse critically within and across a changing disciplinary environment;
• the capacity to disseminate the results of research and scholarship by oral and written communication to a variety of audiences;
• a capacity to cooperate with and respect the contributions of fellow researchers and scholars;
• a profound respect for truth and intellectual integrity, and for the ethics of research and scholarship;
• an advanced facility in the management of information, including the application of computer systems and software where appropriate to the student's field of study;
• an understanding of the relevance and value of their research to national and international communities of scholars and collaborators;
• an awareness where appropriate of issues related to intellectual property management and the commercialisation of innovation; and
• an ability to formulate applications to relevant agencies, such as funding bodies and ethics committees.

The University provides a variety of opportunities in addition to the supervised research program, to facilitate a students' acquisition of these attributes.

Application Procedure

Detailed information for prospective research higher degree students regarding the application process, including the application form is available at http://futurestudents.unimelb.edu.au/admissions/applications/research. Applications are accepted year-round, but please check the Faculty of Business and Economics website for details of specific Department selection rounds.

Which scholarship can I apply for?

Students can find information about graduate research scholarships offered by the University of Melbourne at the Melbourne Scholarships Office.

Facilities and Supports

The Melbourne School of Graduate Research makes available a broad range of Programs & Services available to graduate research students.

Residency

The RHD Committee of the University will not approve entirely distance supervision or entirely on-line supervision for graduate researchers.