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Higher Degrees by Research

A research degree is an advanced program of study that allows you to explore a topic that interests you and make a significant contribution to your field of knowledge. Choose the right research degree based on your experience and personal goals.

The Doctor of Philosophy is an advanced postgraduate research degree for students who have completed a bachelor’s degree with Honours, or a master’s degree involving a substantial thesis or dissertation component. 

On completion of this degree, you will have gained critical research skills and executed a substantial piece of research that makes a significant contribution to your field of knowledge. You will be an expert in the area of your research, and be highly sought after by employers requiring that expertise. For those interested in an academic or research career, this degree will ensure you achieve an advanced level of practice. 

By working with world-class researchers at UOW, you will access an experienced and supportive network of academics with the connections to help you achieve your goals. 

Duration: Two to four years full-time, or four to eight years part-time.

International students: Graduates are eligible to apply for a Temporary Graduate Visa (485), which allows them to live and work in Australia, for up to four years.

For more information and entry requirements, select your course of interest:

The Doctor of Philosophy Integrated is for students who have completed four-years of study at degree level, either a four-year bachelor’s degree, or bachelor’s degree plus master’s by coursework.

On completion of this degree, you will have executed a substantial piece of research that makes a significant contribution to your field of knowledge. You will be an expert in the area of your research, and be highly sought after by employers requiring that expertise. For those interested in an academic or research career, this degree will ensure you achieve an advanced level of practice. 

The Doctor of Philosophy Integrated will set you up for success by providing you will the research skills to complete your thesis, and give you more time to develop a detailed research topic. By working with world-class researchers at UOW, you will access an experienced and supportive network of academics with the connections to help you achieve your goals. 

Duration: Four years full-time, which integrates a traditional three-year PhD thesis with one-year of coursework, comprising generic research training and discipline-specific content into a single degree.

The PhD Integrated is therefore ideal for applicants who aspire to graduate with a PhD and who:

  • Want a flexible program which includes a selection of ‘taught’ subjects included in a specific discipline area of their interest;
  • Need further time and to develop a detailed research proposal; or
  • Need to develop their research training skills in order to demonstrate their capacity to undertake the major research thesis.
  • Graduates are eligible to apply for a Temporary Graduate Visa (485), which allows them to live and work in Australia, for up to four years.

For more information and entry requirements, select your course of interest:

The Master of Philosophy is a two-year postgraduate research degree for students who have completed a bachelor’s degree with Honours, or a master’s by coursework degree in the same area.

On completion of this degree, you will have gained critical research skills and executed a piece of research that makes a contribution to your field of knowledge. Your research skills will be highly sought after by employers, government and the research community. 

By working with world-class researchers at UOW, you will access an experienced and supportive network of academics with the connections to help you achieve your goals. The Master of Philosophy may be used as a stepping stone to the Doctor of Philosophy. 

Duration: 1-2 years full-time, or part-time equivalent. 

International students: Graduates are eligible to apply for a Temporary Graduate Visa (485), which allows them to live and work in Australia, for up to three years.

For more information including entry requirements, select your area of interest:

The Master of Research is a postgraduate research degree for students who have completed a bachelor’s degree or a master’s by coursework degree, who may have not completed an independent research project or thesis. 

On completion of this degree, you will have gained critical research skills and executed a piece of research that makes a contribution to your field of knowledge. Many students use this degree as a stepping stone to a more advanced academic qualification such as a Doctor of Philosophy. Your research skills will be highly sought after by employers, government and the research community. 

Duration: Two years full-time, or part-time equivalent.

Domestic students complete the Bachelor of Research (48cp, one-year degree) and receive 48cp advance standing into the second year of the Master of Research.

For more information and entry requirements, select your course of interest:

Professional Doctorates prepares professional leaders with research experience in their chosen area of study.

A candidate for a professional doctorate usually enrols in a research subject comprising a thesis and undertakes an approved study which may include specified course and/or practical work and/or performance as recommended by the Head.

For more information and entry requirements, select your course of interest:

Visiting Research Student Program

The Visiting Research Student Program is designed for both undergraduate and post-graduate students who are currently enrolled full-time at an overseas university who wish to obtain research experience or professional or industrial practice with a UOW research team.

This professional practicum is for a limited period (usually up to 12 months) and must be a formal requirement for the award of a degree at the student’s home university.

Securing UOW academic supervisors is the responsibility of the applicant. Participants must contact the relevant UOW Academic Unit or Research Unit and negotiate with staff members to supervise their project. Applications will not be accepted until a UOW supervisor and co-supervisor has been confirmed.

Participants who are accepted to the Visiting Research Student Program will enrol at the University of Wollongong. Although participants will be enrolled while conducting their research, they are not eligible to receive a UOW Academic Transcript. Proof of research conducted at UOW will be evident in the research results and written references from project supervisors.

Participants will be required to enter Australia with a Student Visa. In most cases no fee is payable for the program, in some cases living support may be available through the Chinese Scholarship Council for Chinese Scholars. 

How to apply

Submit an online application to the Office of Global Student Mobility. Please note you will be asked to upload the following documentation into your online application:

For more information please refer to enquire and apply. 

Would you like to complete some or all your PhD in Dubai?  

If so, UOW may be the university for you. To illustrate:

  • if you are accepted into the course, and wish to be based at UOW in Dubai, you will typically receive supervision from one leading academic at the Australian campus, as well as one leading academic in Dubai —research areas where expertise exists in Dubai such as engineering, computer science, and nursing.
  • if you like, and depending on your research, you can divide your time between the campus in Dubai and the campus in Australia—to utilise the expertise, laboratory facilities, library facilities, private workspaces, and other opportunities at each location,
  • if you do not yet meet the entry requirements for this degree, you could complete one year or less of coursework in Australia or online to fulfill these requirements,
  • a limited number of partial fee waivers will be available for excellent candidates,
  • on completion of this PhD, you will receive a UOW Australia certificate.

To learn more about these possibilities:

What are they key differences between research degrees?

Research degree Entry requirements Duration Coursework subjects Time commitment Post nominal
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Honours degree or Research Masters* 4 years full-time No

Full time:
40 hours/week

Part time: 
20 hours/week 

 Dr
Doctor of Philosophy Integrated (PhD Integrated) Bachelor degree* 4 years full-time Yes Dr
Master of Philosophy (MPhil) Bachelor degree, plus Honours or Masters degree* 2 years full-time Yes  
Master of Research (MRes) Bachelor or Masters degree* 2 years full-time Yes  
Professional Doctorate Depends on course 4 years Yes Dr

* Search Course Finder for specific eligibility criteria of the course you are interested in.

Other useful information

Completing your Higher Degree Research degrees by distance

The HDR distance learning option allows candidates to undertake HDR studies in their preferred location in Australia or overseas. Enrolment is open to both domestic and international candidates for full- or part-time study.

International candidates based overseas do not need an Australian study visa so are eligible to undertake HDR studies part-time, an option not available for onshore students (Australia based) international students.

Candidates communicate with their supervisor virtually.

Criteria for distance learning study:

  • Suitable only for research projects that do not require physical access to facilities based at UOW campuses
  • Only HDR degree without coursework requirements are eligible. Only applications for the PhD or MPhil (with advance standing for the coursework)
  • Existing on campus students can apply to transfer to distance learning mode, on approval from their supervisor, Head of Postgraduate Studies, and the Graduate Research School.

For further details please contact Graduate Research School.

How does the Australian system differ to those elsewhere?

At UOW we offer three types of research degrees:

  • Doctoral degrees. Traditionally Australian Doctorates have followed the British model, comprising of independent study realised in a thesis, However recently, a number of universities including the University of Wollongong have also introduced Doctorates with formal coursework, where up to one third of the requirement may be a structured course of study.
  • Master of Philosophy (also called  Masters by Research), which is the equivalent of 18 month to two years of full time study depending on entry requirements and may include coursework as preparation for a thesis component.
  • Master of Research, this is an internationally recognised research training pathway degree comprising of advanced research training and a substantial research project.

 

How does a postgraduate research degree compare to a postgraduate coursework degree?

  • Postgraduate research degree must include no more than one third of that degree as coursework. 
  • Coursework postgraduate degrees may have all or the majority of their requirements met by the completion of coursework subjects in a particular discipline or professional area.