Doctor of Philosophy

Research

Mode

On campus

Campus

Adelaide City Campus, Magill, Mawson Lakes, Mt Gambier, Roseworthy Campus, Waite Campus, Whyalla

Duration

4 year(s) full-time

Study as

Full-time

2026 Annual Fee

More information

Entry requirements

To be eligible for admission you need to have an approved degree and meet any additional requirements. Further information.

Assumed knowledge

None

English language requirements

IELTS Overall 6.5 IELTS Reading 6 IELTS Listening 6 IELTS Speaking 6 IELTS Writing 6 More information

CRICOS code

Full list of CRICOS codes

Entry requirements

Admission criteria

For admission to a Doctor of Philosophy degree, you will need to have completed either (or equivalent to):

A Master degree by research (AQF level 9); or
A Master degree by coursework (AQF level 9) or Master degree extended (AQF level 9) with weighted average mark (WAM) of ≥ 65 or a seven-point GPA of 5.0 or higher, incorporating at least 0.5 years full time (or part time equivalent) of research training* with a WAM of ≥ 75 or a seven-point GPA of 6.0 or higher; or
A 4-year Bachelor (Honours) (AQF level 8) or Graduate Diploma (AQF level 8) (following a bachelor or honours degree) with an overall WAM of ≥ 65 or a seven-point GPA of 5.0 or higher, incorporating at least 0.5 years full time (or part time equivalent) of research training* with a WAM of ≥ 75 or a seven-point GPA of 6.0 or higher; or
A Graduate Certificate (Research Skills) (AQF level 8) with an overall WAM of ≥ 75 or a seven-point GPA of 6.0 or higher, with approved professional experience; or
An equivalent combination of qualifications and experience.

* The 0.5 EFTSL of research training must have included at least 50% of research on a focused topic.

Additional requirements

You will need to demonstrate that your prior qualifications used as the basis for admission are in a discipline relevant to the proposed area of research – unless an exemption is approved by the Pro Vice Chancellor Graduate Research Training (or delegate).

Please note that admission to a research degree at Adelaide University is conditional on the availability of a suitable supervisory panel and resources to support the proposed project.

English language entry requirements

Students who speak English as a second language must have obtained one of the following standards within the last two years prior to application.

IELTS Overall 6.5
IELTS Reading 6
IELTS Listening 6
IELTS Speaking 6
IELTS Writing 6

Please note some disciplines require a higher overall score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 for each band, including: Education, Language and Literature, Communication and Media Studies, and Philosophy and Religious Studies.

Please access the following link for a comprehensive list of English language tests accepted by Adelaide University and other important information in relation to meeting the University’s language requirements:

Equivalent English qualifications

Degree Structure: Doctor of Philosophy

Program code: DRPHL

Courses

Listed here are all the courses that contribute to your program, including elective options that can be chosen. These courses come together to form your study plan. Courses fall into different categories, each of which have specific unit values that need to be met under the program rules.

CRICOS codes

Study area		CRICOS code
Study area		Fee
	Accounting, Architecture and Urban Environment, Banking, Finance and Related Fields, Business and Management, Communication and Media Studies, Criminology, Economics and Econometrics, Education, Graphic and Design Studies, Human Society, Language and Literature, Law, Music, Performing Arts, Philosophy and Religious Studies, Political Science and Policy Studies, Sales and Marketing, Visual Arts and Crafts	116029A
	Agriculture, Biological Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Building, Chemistry and Chemical Sciences, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Earth Sciences, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Studies, Fisheries Studies, Geomatic Engineering, Horticulture and Viticulture, Human Movement, Mathematical Sciences, Mechanical Engineering, Natural and Physical Sciences, Nursing, Nutrition and Dietetics, Pharmacology, Pharmacy, Physics and Astronomy, Process and Resources Engineering, Psychology, Public Health, Radiography, Rehabilitation Therapies	116030H
	Dentistry, Medical Science, Medical Studies, Veterinary Science	116031G

2026 Annual Fee

International students are eligible to apply for Adelaide University Research Scholarships.

Study area		Fee
	Accounting, Banking, Finance and Related Fields, Business and Management, Criminology, Economics and Econometrics, Education, Graphic and Design Studies, Human Society, Language and Literature, Law, Music, Performing Arts, Philosophy and Religious Studies, Political Science and Policy Studies, Sales and Marketing, Visual Arts and Crafts	42,600
	Agriculture, Architecture and Urban Environment, Biological Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Building, Chemistry and Chemical Sciences, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Earth Sciences, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Studies, Fisheries Studies, Geomatic Engineering, Horticulture and Viticulture, Human Movement, Mathematical Sciences, Mechanical Engineering, Natural and Physical Sciences, Nursing, Nutrition and Dietetics, Pharmacology, Pharmacy, Physics and Astronomy, Process and Resources Engineering, Psychology, Public Health, Radiography, Rehabilitation Therapies	51,600
	Dentistry, Medical Science, Medical Studies, Veterinary Science	54,800