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Doctor of Philosophy

Pursue new knowledge. Join a passionate community of world-leading researchers. Turn your findings into world changing impact.

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Phone: 1300 367 869 (within Australia) or +61 2 4221 3218 (overseas)
Email: future-students@uow.edu.au
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Our team is available during Australian business hours, 9 am to 5 pm.

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For personalised assistance with UOW courses, please reach out to our Future Students Team:

Phone: +61 2 4221 3218
Email: future-students@uow.edu.au
Enquiry Form: Submit an enquiry

Our team is available during Australian business hours, 9 am to 5 pm.

For other UOW contact details, click here.

Applicants can apply directly to UOW. You may be required to have scans or electronic copies of the following documents ready to attach to your application:

Academic qualifications relevant to your application
English proficiency evidence (if required)
Evidence of your citizenship, passport, or permanent residency status

Before you apply, please check the UOW course entry requirements, intake dates, and closing dates for your chosen degree.

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For your nearest agent, please see our UOW agent list.

Need help?

Contact the UOW Future Students Team:

Phone: 1300 367 869 (within Australia) or
+61 2 4221 3218 (overseas)
Email: future-students@uow.edu.au
Enquiry Form: Submit an enquiry

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For more details about this course

Australia: 1300 367 869. International: +61 2 4221 3218

Student ?

Year ?

Campus ?

Delivery ?

On Campus

Duration ?

4 years full-time, or part-time equivalent

Starts

Autumn 2026
Spring 2026

Codes

Please select a research area to display the CRICOS code.
UOW: 220

Overview

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is an advanced postgraduate research degree that develops research skills and provides high achieving candidates with the opportunity to conduct in-depth research in their chosen field of research.

Candidates will make a significant and original contribution to knowledge in their chosen field of research. They will also be able to communicate this contribution to their peers and the community.

See the course handbook for more information.

Admissions information

A range of admission options are available for future students. The procedures governing admission are defined in UOW's Admissions Procedures, and the UOW College Admissions Policy.

For specific advice or to ask any questions regarding an application, please contact the UOW Future Students Team.

Entry Requirements
Additional information

Students must have successfully completed:

An Honours degree (Class II, Division 1 or higher), where the program included a significant research component and a thesis; or
A Research Masters with at least two-thirds of the degree comprising a thesis; or
A UOW Master of Research with an equivalent average mark of 70 or above; or
A Coursework Masters that includes a substantial thesis, with an equivalent average mark of 75+ or a GPA of 3.2 out of 4

We also welcome applications from candidates with other forms of research experience, which may be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Special Admissions Requirements

All applicants for research degrees must submit a research proposal summarising the project they would like to pursue. We strongly recommend that applicants discuss their research proposal with their potential research supervisor before finalising their HDR application. The proposal should be 3-4 pages in length and include an introduction, literature review, research design/methodology, expected outcomes, and references. Applicants may consult Writing a Research Proposal Guide for assistance on writing their research proposal. The research proposal must be written in the applicant’s own words and all submissions may be checked for plagiarised material.

English Language Requirements
The following level of English is required to gain admission to this program:

English Test
Overall Score

Reading

Writing

Listening

Speaking

IELTS Academic
7.0

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.5

TOEFL (Internet-based)
98

22

22

19

19

UOW College: English for Tertiary Studies: Distinction (weighted average mark of 75 overall and minimum 50 in Academic Reading and Writing)

Other qualifications may also be considered. Full details can be found on our English Language Requirements website.

Workload
Full-Time Study Load

As a full-time student, you can expect to commit around 35 hours of study per week. This includes class time and independent study. You may need to factor more time for examination study, practical work and placements.

For more details on course workloads, please refer to the UOW Handbook.
Record Check
Questions relating to personal record checks for this degree should be referred to the School of Law.
Credit for Prior Learning
If you have completed prior studies or relevant professional experience, you can request course credit or subject exemptions to reduce the duration and cost of your program.

Credit for prior learning evaluates your previous study or work experience related to your chosen subjects.

UOW values lifelong learning and recognises various types of prior learning, regardless of how or where it was obtained. For more information, refer to UOW's Credit for Prior Learning page.

Please select a major, specialisation or research area to display fees for this course, or contact the UOW Future Students team for further information.

	Date
Orientation	26, February, 2026
Session start	2 March, 2026
Census date	31 March, 2026
Mid-session recess	20 - 24 April, 2026
Session end	24 June, 2026

	Date
Orientation	20 July, 2026
Session start	27 July, 2026
Census date	31 August, 2026
Mid-session recess	28 September - 2 October, 2026
Session end	19 November, 2026

	Date
Orientation	23, February, 2027
Session start	1 March, 2027
Census date	31 March, 2027
Mid-session recess	19 - 23 April, 2027
Session end	24 June, 2027

	Date
Orientation	20 July, 2027
Session start	26 July, 2027
Census date	31 August, 2027
Mid-session recess	27 September - 1 October, 2026
Session end	18 November, 2027

Search all courses

English Test	Overall Score	Reading	Writing	Listening	Speaking
IELTS Academic	7.0	6.5	6.5	6.5	6.5
TOEFL (Internet-based)	98	22	22	19	19