Doctor of Philosophy - Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences

Overview

As a Doctor of Philosophy in Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences candidate, you'll undertake supervised research with the aim of making a significant and original contribution to a discipline or profession. The research you'll undertake may be pure, exploratory, applied, experimental and/or creative.

Get a copy of our course guide

Your industry experience

Internship opportunities are available for Higher Degree by Research students.

Explore Work Integrated Learning

Research areas

Communications
Politics
Criminology
Humanities
Literature
Media

Skills you’ll learn

Independent thinking
Decision-making skills
Good judgement
Logical thought
Rationality
Communication skills

Your career opportunities

Academic
Consultant
Researcher
Entrepreneur
Business development
Analyst – policy, market, quantitative

Key codes

CRICOS course code

064191C

VTAC Code (CSP)

International student visa

International students in Australia who hold student visas are required to study full-time and on campus. Courses that are taught entirely online are only available to international students studying outside Australia or those in Australia who are not on a student visa. Online courses are not available to international students in Australia who hold a student visa.

Why Swinburne?

Top 400 for Arts and Humanities

Times Higher Education World University Ranking by Subject 2023

Ranked Top 150 in Art and Design

QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023

Source

Qualifications

Applicants must have completed at least four years (or equivalent) of tertiary education studies in a relevant discipline at a high level of achievement, and must have been approved for the award of the degree(s) for which they studied.

A high level of achievement is defined as the equivalent of a four year Swinburne Honours degree that includes a significant research component in the fourth year, leading to an Honours degree class 1 (average grade between 80-100) or class 2A (average grade between 70-79) level.

Four years of tertiary studies can be demonstrated by the completion of any of the combinations of qualifications below, at the required standard of achievement:

a bachelor degree (three or four years) and a Masters by Research; or
a bachelor degree (three or four years) and an Honours year; or
a bachelor degree (three or four years) and a Masters by Coursework; or
a bachelor degree (three or four years) and a postgraduate diploma in Psychology; or
a bachelor degree (four years) in an approved discipline.

Find out more about entry requirements.

A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) can now be done on campus in Hawthorn at Room 132, Building TD. Book now or call +61 3 9214 3584 for more information.

Four years of tertiary studies can be demonstrated by the completion of any of the combinations of qualifications below, at the required standard of achievement:

a bachelor degree (three or four years) and a Masters by Research; or
a bachelor degree (three or four years) and an Honours year; or
a bachelor degree (three or four years) and a Masters by Coursework; or
a bachelor degree (three or four years) and a postgraduate diploma in Psychology; or
a bachelor degree (four years) in an approved discipline.

Find out more about entry requirements.

Admission requirements

Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. Check admission requirements for general information about the admission process.

English language requirements

Satisfactory completion of one of the following:

IELTS overall band of 6.5 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 6.0
Swinburne’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP 5 Advanced level) with overall 70%, all skills 65% or above
or equivalent measures available at English language requirements.

Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?

A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) can now be done at our Hawthorn campus.

Book your Pearson Test of English

Finding your fit

At Swinburne, we recognise that not one size fits all. If this course doesn’t meet all your study criteria, check out these alternatives.

Doctor of Philosophy and Graduate Certificate of Research and Innovation Management (Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences)

Discover more (Doctor of Philosophy and Graduate Certificate of Research and Innovation Management (Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences))
Doctor of Philosophy in Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (Integrated)

Discover more (Doctor of Philosophy in Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (Integrated))

Course structure

The Doctor of Philosophy degree is generally completed over a period of four years full-time or eight years part-time. Candidates undertake research, which may be pure, exploratory, experimental and/or creative, and are required to submit a written research thesis, a written research thesis including associated papers, or an artefact with an accompanying exegesis. The examinable outcome will normally be equivalent to 70 000 to 100 000 words. Where the examinable outcome takes the form of a thesis, it is acknowledged that thesis length can vary according to the nature of the work and the discipline.

Throughout your candidature you will receive guidance and support from your research supervisors. You will also have the opportunity to participate in a number of research training sessions on topics such as thesis writing, publishing and presenting.

60,000

words

Thesis

Doctor of Philosophy in Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences

PhD Thesis

As part of your final submission, you are required to provide a written research thesis, including associated papers, of up to 60,000 words.

Progress reviews

Progress reviews used to monitor academic progress and provide feedback to candidates at different stages of their candidature. Progress review due dates will vary based on your degree and enrolment status.

Progress reviews process	Due date from enrolment
Preconfirmation review Completion of thesis-related tasks and attendance at research training workshops	3 months
Confirmation of candidature review Completion of thesis-related tasks and attendance at research training workshops	9-12 months
Mid-candidature review Completion of thesis-related tasks and attendance at research training workshops	I2-24 months
Draft thesis review Completion of thesis-related tasks and attendance at research training workshops	33-36 months and follow-up 3 months prior to thesis submission

2025 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

36,000.00

Fees are estimates only

Published student tuition fees for 2025 unit enrolments in HE Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) and Undergraduate Full Fee Paying (FFP) are subject to change based on individual circumstances at enrolment. Fees may vary for units studied in future years, with part-time fees being proportionally lower depending on the number of units taken per semester. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.

Fees are estimates only

The indicative course fees shown apply to international students for the relevant year, based on a standard study load per year. Fees are assessed according to actual study load each semester, with variations to study load resulting in tuition fee adjustments. These fees generally include the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) and are subject to annual review. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.

Government-funded Research training program (RTP)

This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding. To qualify for a government-subsidised place, you must meet various eligibility criteria. The course you’ve applied for must also be offering government-subsidised places. Swinburne will determine your eligibility by conducting a full assessment of your eligibility during the course application process.

Learn more about Skills first government subsidies

How do I pay my fees?

HECS-HELP is a loan and discount scheme available to you if you are eligible and enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place. A HECS-HELP loan can cover all or part of your contribution amount.

Find out more about fees

International students need to pay tuition fees up-front by the relevant due date. You can find the due dates on your Statement of Account.

To pay your fees:

log in to My Finances
check your Australian bank account details are correct
check your Statement of Account to see how much you owe
pay using your preferred payment method.

Learn more about paying your fees

Scholarships

Scholarship applications for 2025 are now open. Our research scholarships are awarded to candidates with exceptional potential who are undertaking doctoral studies. These opportunities seek to promote equity and recognise excellence and achievement.

Please view our guidebook to help determine which documents you’ll need to prepare an application.

Learn more about scholarships

When you apply for a Swinburne course, we automatically consider you for an international scholarship of up to 30 per cent off your course fees – no separate application required! Just apply for your Swinburne course of choice and when we review your course application, we will also assess you for an international scholarship.

Learn more about scholarships

Apply through an agent

Most international students use an education agent to help them through the application process. Swinburne has agents all over the world that can help you with your application to study. Search for a Swinburne representative in your country. If your country is not listed, please contact us.

Representatives and agents

DR-HAS

Search for agents

Apply for a research degree

Step 1: Decide on a research topic

Your research topic should align with one of the areas of research we are involved in. You can find out about Swinburne's areas of research through our:

Step 2: Find a supervisor

Using the Find a Supervisor tool search for a potential supervisor in your area of interest and contact them directly to discuss supervision. You must find a supervisor for your research project before applying for a research degree. Your application will not be considered unless you have an appropriate and willing supervisor.

Find a supervisor

Step 3: Submit your application

Once you have decided on a research topic and found an appropriate and willing supervisor, you must complete and submit the online application form.

Submit your application

Course code

DR-HAS

Apply directly

Course code

DR-HAS

CRICOS code

064191C

Apply directly

Start dates

Location

Last date to apply

Start dates

Research Period 2

Hawthorn

26-June-2025

01-July-2025

Start dates

Location

Start dates

Research Period 2

Hawthorn

01-July-2025

Upcoming research events

Overview

Entry requirements

Study structure

Fees & Scholarships

How to apply

Overview

Your industry experience

Research areas

Skills you’ll learn

Your career opportunities

Key codes

International student visa

Why Swinburne?

Admission requirements

Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?

2025 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

Fees are estimates only

Fees are estimates only