About

Doctor of Philosophy, or PhD, candidates undertake a novel and significant program of research, under the direction of two or more supervisors. The candidates then communicate the results of this research in a thesis or another approved format. To facilitate their research and their career, candidates also need to complete additional training and other activities in line with the HDR Policy

Disciplines

CDU Central

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements

Admission criteria

To achieve the minimum level of academic proficiency to enrol in a PhD, applicants must have completed:

A. at least one semester FTE of relevant research activity at AQF Level 8 and achieved a GPA equivalent to a Distinction;

B. at least one semester FTE of relevant research activity at AQF Level 9 or above; or

C. equivalent levels of research activity as approved by the Dean of Graduate Studies.

You must also plan to conduct research that is compatible with the research priorities and resources of this University. When you apply, you must submit a research proposal, comprising 500 to 1000 words.

The research priorities of this University tend to revolve around:

tropical, regional, and remote health - including nursing, midwifery, and allied health;
environmental studies;
energy, resources, and engineering;
social and public policy in Northern Australia and the region;
community resilience;
cybersecurity and IT;
business and law; and
education.

Essential requirements

Must have written evidence of agreement to supervise the applicant from a registered HDR supervisor (registered to supervise at PhD level as Principal on the CDU HDR supervisor register).

HDR students must have at least two supervisors at a campus to be approved to enrol at that campus.

English language requirements

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

To gain entry into Charles Darwin University, all Higher Degree by Research applicants must satisfy the University's English Language Proficiency Requirements for their chosen course of study. From 2025 all applicants will be required to supply evidence of this at the time of application.

The minimum English language requirement for this course can be met by evidencing of one of the following:

2.0 FTE Higher Education Study

Successful completion of at least 2.0FTE of higher education study at level AQF 7 or above from Australia or an approved country where the medium of instruction was English, including an official testamur plus academic transcript/s and evidence of English as medium of instruction where required (refer to our approved standard and extended lists included below). If studies were completed from a country on the extended list, they must have been completed within the past five (5) years.

English Test^

Completion of an approved English test within two years of commencement, meeting the minimum scores outlined in the table below.

^ Minimum Requirements for English Tests:

	Requirements
CDU ELICOS - English for Academic Purposes	Successful completion of EAP004
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic test	Overall minimum: 6.5 No band below: 6.0
Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)	Overall minimum: 176 No skill below: 169
Pearson Tests of English (PTE) Academic	Overall minimum: 58 No score below 50
Test of English as a Foreign language	Overall minimum: 79 Minimum writing score: 21

IELTS One Skill Retake is accepted, allowing candidates to retake a single skill within 60 days of sitting their initial test. One Skill Retake results are valid for two years from the date of the first test (not from the date of the Retake test) to the date of commencement at CDU.

CDU accepts combined results from two test sittings of IELTS Academic, PTE Academic, or TOEFL, taken within a six-month period, if:

Both tests were under the same testing system; and
The overall score in both tests meets the overall minimum; and
The applicant achieved the section minimum for each section in at least one test.

Recognised English-speaking countries:

Standard List	Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States of America.
Extended List	Bermuda, Botswana, Cayman Islands, Ethiopia, Fiji, Kenya, Malawi, Malta, Mauritius, Seychelles, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Vanuatu, Zimbabwe.

For further details on the English requirements for CDU courses, please refer to the CDU English Language Proficiency Policy.

English Requirements

PTEMin 58
IELTSMin 6.5
TOEFLMin 79

English Program Requirements