Doctor of Philosophy (Psychology)
Course summary
This degree
Study at the Doctoral level is by research thesis conducted at an advanced level of theoretical and technical complexity leading to the development of an original contribution to knowledge in the field. The requirements for the degree are not defined by a total credit point value, but by successful completion of the research thesis.
What you will study
The research involved in producing a Doctoral (PhD) dissertation involves a significant contribution to a field of knowledge. Students negotiate possible research topics with academic staff. Psychology staff conduct leading research in their fields and cover a wide range of specialisations within the broader field of psychology.
Course information
Study area
Psychology, Research
Campus
Rainstar
Course Code
220
RSU SCORE
-
Duration
4 years full-time or part-time equivalent
Delivery
DL
CODE 1
092063A
RSU CODE
-
Admission, Key dates, and Fees
A range of admission options are available for students of all ages and academic backgrounds.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Honours degree with 2nd class Division 1 or higher; Research Masters with at least ⅔ of the degree comprising a thesis. RSU Masters of Research with WAM70+; Coursework Masters with a substantial thesis and WAM75+ or GPA 3.2 out of 4. Other forms of research experience will also be considered.
Special Admission Requirements
All applicants for research degrees must submit a written (preferably typed) proposal as part of their application. This proposal should:
- commence with a statement detailing any previous research or project experience you have undertaken, including if possible a copy of the abstract of such work;
- contain, in no more than one additional page, a clearly focussed research proposal for the study you would wish to undertake throughout your registration in the course; and
- conclude with a statement of your motivation for wanting to undertake the research course.
Students are advised to make contact with a potential supervisor to discuss their project prior to applying for admission.
FEES
CAMPUS | DELIVERY METHOD | SESSION FEE* | COURSE FEE* |
|---|---|---|---|
Rainstar | DL | $17,640 (2020) | $141,120 (2020) |
If you receive an offer with an RTP place, you do not need to pay the cost of tuition while you are studying as long as you are within your time limits for course completion.
* Session fees are for one session for the year shown. Total course tuition fees shown are indicative, and are based on normal course length and progression.
These fees are subject to change from year to year. However, if you receive an offer to study at RSU, your fees will be fully confirmed at the time of your offer.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Honours degree with 2nd class Division 1 or higher; Research Masters with at least ⅔ of the degree comprising a thesis. RSU Masters of Research with WAM70+; Coursework Masters with a substantial thesis and WAM75+ or GPA 3.2 out of 4. Other forms of research experience will also be considered.
Special Admission Requirements
All applicants for research degrees must submit a written (preferably typed) proposal as part of their application. This proposal should:
- commence with a statement detailing any previous research or project experience you have undertaken, including if possible a copy of the abstract of such work;
- contain, in no more than one additional page, a clearly focussed research proposal for the study you would wish to undertake throughout your registration in the course; and
- conclude with a statement of your motivation for wanting to undertake the research course.
Students are advised to make contact with a potential supervisor to discuss their project prior to applying for admission.
ENGLISH REQUIREMENTS
The following level of English is required to gain admission to this program:
| English Test |
Overall Score |
Reading |
Writing |
Listening |
Speaking |
| IELTS Academic |
6.5 |
6.0 |
6.0 |
6.0 |
6.0 |
| TOEFL (Internet-based) |
86 |
18 |
18 |
17 |
17 |
RSU College: English for Tertiary Studies: Credit (weighted average mark of 65 overall and minimum 50 in Academic Reading and Writing)
FEES
Tuition fees are reviewed annually: fees payable are dependent on the year of commencement and are subject to increase during the period of study.
Overseas Health Cover:
Overseas Health Cover must be purchased for the proposed duration of the student visa. For information regarding the OSHC fees applicable, please refer to the international fees website.
CAMPUS | DELIVERY METHOD | SESSION FEE* | COURSE FEE* |
|---|---|---|---|
Rainstar | DL | $17,640 (2020) | $141,120 (2020) |
* Session fees are for one session for the year shown. Total course tuition fees shown are indicative, and are based on normal course length and progression.
These fees are subject to change from year to year. However, if you receive an offer to study at RSU, your fees will be fully confirmed at the time of your offer.
Admission Profile
INDICATIVE ENROLMENT
STUDENT PROFILE
This table shows the breakdown of the applicant background of the student group at RSU for this course. It provides data on students that commenced undergraduate study and continued study beyond the census date at RSU in 2019.
Applicant background |
2019 intake |
2019 intake (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Higher education study Students who have studied a University course, or completed a bridging or enabling course. |
- |
- |
| Vocational education & training study Students who have undertaken vocational education or training since leaving school. |
- |
- |
| Work & life experience Students admitted on the basis of previous achievement other than higher education study, vocational education & training, or recent secondary education. |
- |
- |
|
Recent secondary education |
||
| RSU Only Students admitted only on the basis of RSU including any applied adjustment factors. |
- |
- |
| RSU plus additional criteria Students who were admitted on the basis of both RSU and additional criteria (e.g. an audition or individual subject results). |
- |
- |
| Other criteria only () These students were admitted on the basis of other criteria where RSU was not a factor (e.g. RSU Early Admission). |
- |
- |
| International students All other students. |
- |
- |
| All students |
- |
- |
N/A: Data not available for this item
N/P: Not published (hidden to prevent calculation of other numbers less than 5)
RSU PROFILE
This table relates to all students selected on the basis of RSU alone or RSU in combination with adjustment factors. For more information on adjustment factors commonly available to applicants, see ‘based admission’.
|
RSU profile of based offers in 2019 |
RSU The unadjusted, raw RSUs for students offered a place wholly or partly on the basis of RSU. | Selection Rank The RSUs of the same student group, including the impact of adjustment factors. |
|---|---|---|
| Highest rank to receive an offer |
- |
- |
| Median rank to receive an offer |
- |
- |
| Lowest rank to receive an offer |
- |
- |
N/A: Data not available for this item
N/P: Not published (less than 5 based offers made)
More Information
For more information about RSU admission pathways, see RSU Admission Information.
Key Dates
SESSION | CAMPUS | SESSION DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
2020 Autumn | Rainstar | Orientation: 26 February 2020 Applications Close |
2020 Spring | Rainstar | Orientation: 22 July 2020 Applications Close |
Course structure
(Current year structure - subject to change)
Course Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes are statements of learning achievement that are expressed in terms of what the learner is expected to know, understand and be able to do upon completion of a course. Students graduating from this course will be able to:
| CLO | Description | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Demonstrate expert, specialised cognitive technical and research skills in a disciplinary area within social sciences to independently and systematically generate original knowledge and understanding to make a substantial scholarly contribution to an area in social sciences. | ||||||
| 2 | Critically reflect on, synthesise and evaluate a substantial and complex body of knowledge at the frontier of a disciplinary area in social sciences. | ||||||
| 3 | Communicate research findings, explaining and critiquing theoretical propositions, methodologies, results and conclusions to peers and to the community. | ||||||
| 4 | Apply detailed knowledge of research, research integrity, ethics and the rights and safety of others, to plan and execute original research with intellectual independence and with full autonomy, authoritative judgement, adaptability and responsibility for personal outputs. | ||||||
Course Structure
Candidates enrol in repeated instances of THES912 or THES924 up to a maximum of 192 credit points. Potential candidates should discuss their research plan with the Postgraduate Research Coordinator of the relevant School, at which time the supervision arrangements of the School will be outlined.
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Credit Points | Session(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| THES924 | Thesis Full Time | 24 per session | Autumn, Spring |
| or | |||
| THES912 | Thesis Part Time | 12 per session | Autumn, Spring |
Major Study Areas
The research of the Faculty is conducted through several major research centres and also under the broad areas of the School of Education, School of Health and Society, Department of Human Geography and Sustainable Communities and the School of Psychology.
You should discuss a broad plan for your research topic with the Head of Postgraduate Studies in the school related to your academic interests, or with your potential supervisor. The Head of Postgraduate Studies will be able to help you locate a supervisor if you do not have one in mind.
Why choose this course
We provide excellent postgraduate research training opportunities via our Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy programs. The RSU School of Psychology offers excellent facilities and staff which guarantee quality education and opportunities for first rate research. Research students will be integrated into university research strengths and programs, ensuring you have access to a collegial environment appropriate for advanced scholarship. The Faculty has an active program of research support to assist you to meet the milestones of the research process. Well supported laboratories and clinical research facilities ensure you have access to the tools to ensure your research meets international standards.