This degree aims to provide expert level skills in conducting research with full autonomy, independence and accountability. Students will undertake a course of supervised independent research that produces a substantial and original contribution to the research field. The course facilitates the development of expert level research, analytical, critical and communication skills that can be applied beyond the doctoral project. Graduates with this degree are expected to be able to independently initiate and lead the generation of new knowledge, including the design and execution of research projects, within the context of their chosen profession.
Doctor of Philosophy (Science)
University Rank:#856
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Duration4 year(s)
Tuition FeeAUD 27,406 / Year
Next IntakeJuly 14, 2026
Doctor of Philosophy (Science)
About
Requirements
Entry Requirements
Basis of Approval for Admission to the Doctor of Philosophy
The University Research Committee shall base its decision on admission to a proposed Doctor of Philosophy candidature upon the following evidence, that:
- the proposed program of study and research is at a level appropriate to the degree being sought;
- the proposed area of research falls within an approved University field of research for admission to a higher degree by research;
- the proposed supervisors are sufficiently expert in the area of research, and have the time and commitment to be able to provide appropriate supervision, and that adequate physical resources are available;
- the applicant has the appropriate background and ability to undertake the proposed course (refer also to Entry Qualifications, below);
- the applicant has given the necessary commitment to work regularly on the approved program of study and research and maintain regular contact with the supervisor(s).
Entry Qualifications for Doctor of Philosophy Degree
The entry qualifications required for admission to a Doctor of Philosophy program are:
- qualified for the award of a Master by Research at an acceptable level;
or - an appropriate Bachelor degree with class 1 or class 2(i) honours from an Australian university or an equivalent overseas tertiary institution, taken over a minimum of four years (full-time equivalent);
or - qualified for entry into a Charles Sturt University Master by Research program, and completed a minimum of 4 years full-time equivalent study, and duly enrolled and shown exceptional ability in the conduct of a research project which is clearly capable of being extended to a doctoral level;
or - qualified for the award of a coursework Master’s degree with a research project and thesis/dissertation component. It is normally expected that a grade equivalent to the appropriate class of Honours will have been obtained;
or - some other appropriate combination of undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications (such as relevant graduate diplomas) and research experience that demonstrate capacity to undertake research at a Doctoral level.
English Requirements
- PTEMin 58
- IELTSMin 6.5
- TOEFLMin 79
English Program Requirements
For entry into a PhD, Master by Research or Professional Doctoral courses an applicant must demonstrate meeting:
- an Academic IELTS of 6.5, with no score below a 6.0, in each of the individual skill areas.
OR
one of the following equivalences:
- level 109 of the English Language Services (ELS) examination, with a score of B or higher in the Reading and Writing components, and a score of P or higher in the Speaking and Listening components within the last 12 months
- written evidence of completion of a university degree that was conducted and examined solely in English.
- Applicants may request (in writing) that alternative English language proficiency evidence be accepted.
These requests will be reviewed and decided by the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) for HDR applicants.
Career
systematically and critically evaluate relevant literature, philosophical approaches, and data collection and analysis techniques in the broad research field;
demonstrate an expert level of theoretical knowledge and be able to critically reflect on that knowledge and it’s applications;
develop a research hypothesis or question that is soundly embedded in the context of the current body of knowledge in the field;
independently plan and undertake an approved research project, including data collection, analysis, interpretation and presentation, which leads to a highly substantial and original contribution of new knowledge to the research field in the form of a research thesis;
demonstrate research, analytical, critical, reflection and communication skills through research outcomes such as seminar presentations and publication and/or thesis and/or portfolio submissions.
develop an appropriate conceptual framework and research design that forms the basis for the conduct of the research project;
demonstrate an expert level of theoretical knowledge and be able to critically reflect on that knowledge and it’s applications;
develop a research hypothesis or question that is soundly embedded in the context of the current body of knowledge in the field;
independently plan and undertake an approved research project, including data collection, analysis, interpretation and presentation, which leads to a highly substantial and original contribution of new knowledge to the research field in the form of a research thesis;
demonstrate research, analytical, critical, reflection and communication skills through research outcomes such as seminar presentations and publication and/or thesis and/or portfolio submissions.
develop an appropriate conceptual framework and research design that forms the basis for the conduct of the research project;
Fee Information
Tuition Fee
27,406 / year
How to Apply
Step 1: Choose your degree
Choose from a wide range of courses at Charles Sturt University. Wherever you want to take your career – in IT, nursing, education, healthcare, science or any other industry – we’ve got the right course for you.
Step 2: Understand your entry requirements
International students must meet minimum academic and English language requirements to be eligible to study with us.Step 3: Before you apply
You've found the course you want to study and now it's time to get organised for your Australian adventure. Before you apply, it's a good idea to get familiar with your new destination and all the things you will need to do to make your transition smooth. Our live and work and before you arrive pages are great places to start to help you with that checklist.Step 4: Check if you are eligible for credit
Charles Sturt University highly values and recognises a range of overseas qualifications, and has developed advanced standing arrangements with institutions in various countries.Step 5: Prepare supporting documentation
Do you need to include official documentation with your application? If so, it may need verification as a true and accurate copy. Check below to see if your documents need to be verified.Verify your documents
If you are an international applicant, you can submit scanned verified copies or scanned original copies of all your official documentation, except for the courses listed below.The following information explains if your documents do need to be verified. This is important, as documents not correctly verified as a "true and accurate" copy will result in delays in the processing of your application and its consideration for admission. Please don't send originals as we don't return documents.
Who can verify copies for you?
For international documents/qualifications:- your employed agent submitting your application and documents on your behalf
- Australian Embassy official
- High Commission or Trade Mission official
- Public Notary
- Australian Justice of the Peace with a registration number.
How should the authorised officer verify each document?
On each page you are submitting, they must write:
'This is a true copy of the original document sighted by me.'
Then sign and print the following details:
- name
- address
- business hours telephone number
- profession, occupation or organisation
- the current date.
They must include the official stamp or seal of the verifier's organisation on the copy if the organisation has such a stamp.
In addition to the above, a Justice of the Peace must also print their registration number and the state in which they are registered as a Justice of the Peace.
Documents not verified or not verified correctly
Charles Sturt University is not permitted to process:
- documents that have been verified by an immediate relative or a person residing at the same address as an applicant
- photocopied documents that have not been verified
- documents that have not been correctly verified
- documents verified by a Justice of the Peace without a registration number.
Step 6: Understand your responsibilities and expectations as an international student
The Australian Government requires international student visa holders to ensure that they meet the obligations and conditions of their visa type. It is your responsibility to ensure that they comply with these obligations and conditions at all times. Your enrolment at Charles Sturt University may be cancelled for failing to meet the University's policies and procedures and the University is required by Australian Law to report any breaches of visa conditions, which may include:
- Not paying your fees.
- Not maintaining satisfactory course progress.
- Failing to maintain a full-time load without Charles Sturt University's permission.
- Failure to enrol in a term of study.
- Academic or general misconduct.
You should also understand all the terms and conditions of accepting an offer to study with us.
Step 7: Start your application
How to apply depends on how you want to study with us.
Doctor of Philosophy (Science)
Charles Sturt University
Australia, Port Macquarie