Doctor of Philosophy

The PhD is a University-wide research degree which involves an intense period of supervised study and research, leading to an original and significant contribution to knowledge. This is a degree of the future and is a recognised path for those wishing to assume leadership positions in their field of specialisation. This course prepares graduates for a leadership role in the widely diverse range of industries and organisations that rely on research or research skills to solve real-world problems, including but not limited to academia, business, government, cultural and community organisations.

All students are required to successfully complete the research training coursework subjects 42670 Research Foundations and 42069 Research Methods which will develop research knowledge and skills.

The course enables students to advance themselves in their career in computing and information technology. It offers flexibility in the choice of topic of research so it may be closely aligned with students' professional careers.

Course fees

For relevant fee information, please choose from the following:

Local student

Research Training Program

The majority of domestic students who are offered entry to a graduate research degree will have the cost of their tuition fees covered by the Australian Government’s Research Training Program (RTP) Fees Offset Scholarship. If you are granted an RTP Fee Offset Scholarship you are not required to pay tuition fees for up to the maximum period of time allowable to complete your study.

Recipients of an RTP Fee Offset Scholarship should however still expect to pay the ongoing costs of being part of an academic environment and conducting research. In addition to ongoing costs, you may also be required to pay a Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).

Scholarships

In addition, research scholarships up to the value of $40,000 are available to support living expenses for domestic students to study master's by research and doctoral programs at CUA.

Tuition fee calculations

Tuition fees and RTP Fee Offset Scholarship amounts are incurred pro-rata based on the number of days a student is enrolled in each research degree session and whether the student is enrolled after the research census date.

CUA Alumni save 10%: www.cua-edu.org/advantage

International student

Tuition fees for international students vary between courses and range from A$19,840 to A$34,080 per year. Tuition fees for postgraduate research degrees are charged pro-rata based on the number of days a student is enrolled in each research degree session and whether the student is enrolled after the research census date.

Tuition fees for international postgraduate research students can be found using fees search.

Tuition fees must be paid in advance each session and are subject to annual increase. Fees for future year(s) published in fees search, whilst unlikely to change, are estimates only. CUA makes every effort to provide up to date future year(s) fee estimates and to limit any changes, however, CUA reserves the right to vary fees for future year(s) at any time.

For this course, the cost per session for 2025 is $21815. The expected number of sessions are 8.


All international students should familiarise themselves with the following documents:

In addition to tuition fees, students may be required to pay a Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). Textbooks and other course materials will also result in additional costs.

CUA Alumni save 10%: www.cua-edu.org/advantage

For further information on costs related to your study at CUA, visit the international students' tuition fees information page.

Careers

This research degree is especially valuable for students to gain deeper understanding of a subject area and develop analytical, problem solving, communication and project management skills. These are highly valued and enable graduates to pursue an academic career or careers in industry, research, government non-government organisations.

Course structure

Course structure explained

There are three specific stages to the doctoral program. In the first stage, candidates must complete a formal assessment to confirm their candidature. In the second stage, a progress confirmation assessment to ensure their progress is consistent with completion of the research program within the prescribed time and demonstrates potential to complete the work to standard. Candidates are required to complete a third stage in order to confirm readiness to submit their thesis for examination.

Within this framework of stages, doctoral students design their own Graduate Research Study Plan in discussion with their supervisory panel. This draws from the CUA HDR Capability Framework that shapes what it means to be a research student at CUA. A Review of Progress is conducted each year, in a process that is separate from the Stage Assessments.

Students may be required to undertake some coursework, for example in research methods or in theoretical knowledge in the field of specialisation. Students have the opportunity to complete an industry-based HDR internship experience, with government, business or community.

As part of this course students must also complete the research training subjects 42670 Research Foundations and 42069 Research Methods.

Course completion requirements
Requirement Credit Points
42063 PhD Thesis: Computer Science 0
STM91916 Research Preparation 12
Total 0

Additional information

Course duration

The maximum course duration is four years of full-time or eight years of part-time study. Students can complete the course in less than the maximum time. Some courses have a strong preference for research undertaken at a full time pace.

The work may be carried out either on university premises or at a site external to the university, or some combination of both. Candidates are recommended to make contact with their supervisor(s) at least once a month to discuss the progress of their research. In some fields of specialisation, students may be expected to complete campus-based or other research activities on a prescribed basis.

Admission requirements

Admission requirements

Applicants must have completed a CUA recognised master's by research or bachelor honours degree with first class or second class / division 1 honours, or an equivalent or higher qualification, or submitted other evidence of general and professional qualifications that demonstrates potential to pursue graduate research studies.

Selection criteria also include: research potential, research experience, quality of the research proposal, alignment with the CUA Research Strategy and the strategic goals of the field of specialisation, and the Faculty's ability to offer appropriate supervision in the applicant's chosen field.

The English proficiency requirement for international students or local applicants with international qualifications is: IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with a writing score of 6.0; or TOEFL iBT: 79-93 overall with a writing score of 21; or AE5: Pass; or PTE: 58-64 with a writing score of 50; or C1A/C2P: 176-184 with a writing score of 169.

Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place.

International students

Visa requirement: To obtain a student visa to study in Australia, international students must enrol full time and on campus. Australian student visa regulations also require international students studying on student visas to complete the course within the standard full-time duration. Students can extend their courses only in exceptional circumstances.

Inherent requirements

Inherent requirements are academic and non-academic requirements that are essential to the successful completion of a course. For more information about inherent requirements and where prospective and current students can get assistance and advice regarding these, see the CUA Inherent requirements page.

Prospective and current students should carefully read the Inherent Requirements Statement below and consider whether they might experience challenges in successfully completing this course.

CUA will make reasonable adjustments to teaching and learning, assessment, professional experiences, course related work experience and other course activities to facilitate maximum participation by students with disabilities, carer responsibilities, and religious or cultural obligations in their courses.

For course specific information see the Faculty of Engineering & Information Technology Inherent (Essential) Requirements Statement.

Scholarships and prizes

Scholarships

For Information Technology and Engineering - 2 students

Only for international students

For all domestic students

Only for Aboriginal Australian or Torres Strait Islander students

Prizes and awards

For Information Technology and Engineering - 2 students

CUA: Handbook

See the Doctor of Philosophy in the CUA: Handbook for comprehensive course details.

Information for international students

Find out about support services, the Australian education system, accommodation and more to help you get the most out of your study at CUA.

Part of Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology

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    Facilities and location

    Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology students and researchers have access to state-of-the-art facilities.

Domestic students

How to apply

This course is only available to domestic applicants. Apply via My Student Portal.

Application process

Find out how to apply for a research degree and scholarship at CUA.

Important dates

Please refer to our Graduate Research Application Deadlines page

Need more information?

Ask CUA

Scholarships, prizes and awards

Scholarships

For Information Technology and Engineering - 2 students

Only for international students

For all domestic students

Only for Aboriginal Australian or Torres Strait Islander students

Prizes and awards

For Information Technology and Engineering - 2 students

International students

How to apply

International applicants apply to study via CUA International.

Application process

Find out how to apply for a research degree and scholarship at CUA.

You can meet an international student adviser at one of our events worldwide to ask questions and submit an application.

Important dates

Please refer to our Graduate Research Application Deadlines page

Need more information?

Ask a question

Scholarships, prizes and awards

Scholarships

For Information Technology and Engineering - 2 students

Only for international students

For all domestic students

Only for Aboriginal Australian or Torres Strait Islander students

Prizes and awards

For Information Technology and Engineering - 2 students