The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is an ungraded degree awarded for research that demonstrates that the candidate has the capacity to conduct research independently, and form a distinct contribution to the knowledge of the subject and to afford evidence of coherence and originality shown either by the discovery of new facts or by the exercise of independent critical power. The candidate's program of study will be supervised by at least two supervisors.

The degree requires that a thesis with a maximum length of 75,000 to 100,000 words (depending on the Department) be submitted for a written assessment by three examiners external to the University. Before submitting a PhD thesis, all candidates must have followed an approved program of study and research within the University for a period defined by the Higher Degree Research Rules (normally not less than two years).

A candidate's program of study must be supervised by an eligible Macquarie academic staff member, and will normally be carried out within the University. There is, however, provision for a candidate to be permitted to carry out much of the program outside the University with Faculty approval.

In some disciplines further research training or the completion of a preliminary coursework program in research preparation may be required prior to admission. For further information please refer to the section on Pathways to Macquarie Research Programs and to the Faculty sections of this prospectus.

Length of candidature

The PhD is a three years equivalent full-time program. The minimum period of candidature is two years and the maximum period is three years for full-time candidates and six years for part-time candidates.

A full-time candidate is expected to commit on average a minimum of 40 hours per week to their research study program. A part-time candidate is expected to commit on average a minimum of 20 hours per week to their research study program and consult weekly with their supervisors.

Admission requirements

For admission to the PhD, the university needs to confirm that prospective candidates will be able to complete their degree within this time, and that:

• they have undertaken significant study of their discipline beyond undergraduate level, and are equipped to make strategic decisions about the state of research in their field and key new directions for research, and are thus ready to conduct an HDR level project;
• candidates have undertaken a substantial research project at Masters level, which indicates they have significant experience in independently identifying a research question; designing a research project using a methodology that they have been able to justify in relation to alternatives and that their project has produced coherent and well-justified conclusions, situated in relation to the literature.

• PhD in Health Innovation - Cricos Code: 085032M
• PhD in Biomedical Sciences - Cricos Code: 085032M
• PhD in Clinical Medicine - Cricos Code: 085032M
• PhD in Health System and Population - Cricos Code: 085032M
• PhD in Cognitive Science - Cricos Code: 064239C
• PhD in Medicine - Cricos Code: 085032M
• PhD in Health Sciences - Cricos Code: 085032M
• PhD in Psychological Sciences - Cricos Code: 064239C
• PhD in Linguistics - Cricos Code: 070063E
• PhD in Psychology - Cricos Code: 064239C

• Health Innovation
• Biomedical Sciences
• Clinical Medicine
Health System and Population
Cognitive Science
Medicine
Health Sciences
Psychological Sciences
Linguistics
Psychology