The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree is offered in all faculties of the University of New South Wales and encourages initiative and originality in research. Candidates should make a significant contribution to knowledge in their field.

For more information about this degree please contact -

Mrs M Rolfe
Telephone: (02)9385 5782
email: m.rolfe@unsw.edu.au

or

Professor RB Randall
Telephone: (02)9385 5697
email: b.randall@unsw.edu.au

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree encourages initiative and originality in research. Students will make a significant contribution to knowledge in their field and will be competent to carry out research in their chosen area.

This program involves a minimum of three years full-time study. Students undertake supervised research leading to the production of the thesis.

The length of a doctoral thesis normally should not exceed 100,000 words of text and should be submitted for examination within 4 years of full-time study.

Advanced coursework of 18 UOC is also prescribed.

1. Qualifications
For the School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, the entry requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy are as follows:

English language requirements also apply. Please see: www.unsw.edu.au/futureStudents/postgradResearch/res/fspgrengreqpolicy.html

2. Enrolment and Progression

(1) Local postgraduate research applicants should first refer to the Future Student Postgraduate Research website for information on how to locate a suitable supervisor, how to apply and scholarship opportunities. Paper application forms for local students can be downloaded, or are available from the Graduate Research School.

(2) For international students, on-line applications are more convenient and less expensive than paper applications. Go to Future Students and select "Apply Online". Paper application forms for international students can be downloaded, or are available from the Graduate Research School.

(3) Enquiries about admission, changes in details of candidature and examination of theses should be directed to the Graduate Research School as it is responsible for administration of research students throughout all stages of candidature and also co-ordinates the thesis examination process. Alternatively, enquires can be directed to the School's Director of Research Training (Postgraduate Research Co-ordinator).

(4) International applicants seeking admission to research programs should contact UNSW International for details regarding entry requirements and application procedures.

(5) In every case, before permitting a candidate to enrol, the Postgraduate Coordinator in the School shall be satisfied that adequate supervision and facilities are available.

(6) An approved candidate shall be enrolled in one of the following categories:

(a) full-time attendance at the University;

(b) part-time attendance at the University;

(c) external - not in regular attendance at the University and using research facilities external to the University.

(7) The work shall be carried out under the direction of a supervisor appointed from the staff of the School.

(8) The progress of a candidate shall be reviewed at least annually by a School review committee with additional reviews within six months of entry and completion. As a result of such review the Faculty Higher Degree Committee may cancel enrolment or take such other action as it considers appropriate.

(9) No candidate shall be granted the degree until the lapse of six academic sessions in the case of a full-time candidate or eight academic sessions in the case of a part-time or external candidate from the date of enrolment. In the case of a candidate who has been awarded the degree of Bachelor with Honours or who had previous research experience the Committee may approve remission of up to one session for a full-time candidate and two sessions for a part-time or external candidate.

(10) A full-time candidate for the degree shall present for examination not later than ten academic sessions from the date of enrolment. A part-time or external candidate for the degree shall present, for examination not later than twelve academic sessions from the date of enrolment. In special cases an extension of these times may be granted by the Committee.

3. Thesis
(1) On completing the program of study a candidate shall submit a thesis embodying the results of the original investigation.

(2) The candidate shall give in writing two months notice of intention to submit the thesis.

(3) The thesis shall present an account of the candidate's own research.

(4) Four copies of the thesis shall be presented in a form which complies with the requirements of the University for the preparation and submission of higher degree theses.

(5) It shall be understood that the University retains four copies of the final corrected thesis as well as a digital copy, and is free to allow the thesis to be consulted or borrowed. Subject to the provisions of the Copyright Act, 1968, the University may issue the thesis in whole or in part, in photostat or microfilm or other copying medium.

4. Examination

(1) There shall be not fewer than three examiners of the thesis, appointed by the Committee, at least two of whom shall be external to the University.

(2) At the conclusion of the examination each examiner shall submit to the Committee a concise report on the merits of the thesis and shall recommend to the Committee that:

(a) the candidate be awarded the degree without further examination;

or

(b) the candidate be awarded the degree without further examination subject to minor corrections as listed being made to the satisfaction of the head of the school; or

(c) the candidate be awarded the degree subject to further review on questions posed in the report, performance in this further examination being to the satisfaction of the Committee; or

(d) the candidate be not awarded the degree but be permitted to resubmit the thesis in a revised form after a further period of study and/or research;

or

(e) the candidate be not awarded the degree and be not permitted to resubmit the thesis.


(3) The Committee shall, after consideration of the examiners' reports and the reports of any oral or written or practical examination, recommend whether or not the candidate may be awarded the degree. If it is decided that the candidate be not awarded the degree the Committee shall determine whether or not the candidate may resubmit the thesis after a further period of study and/or research.

2. Awarding of Degree
The degree of Doctor of Philosophy may be awarded by the Council on recommendation of the Higher Degree Committee of the Faculty of Engineering (hereinafter referred to as the Committee) to a candidate who has demonstrated ability to undertake advanced research by the submission of a thesis embodying the results of an original investigation.

For information regarding fees for UNSW programs, please refer to the following website:  https://my.unsw.edu.au/student/fees/FeesMainPage.html

If you are considering applying for a PhD in the School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering you will need to make contact with the School. This is necessary in order to establish that your research interests and those of the School are aligned, and that there is a suitable supervisor for your particular area of research.

Prospective students are strongly advised to make contact with potential supervisors before applying for research study at the University.

Please refer to the relevant Faculty home page for contact details of Schools.

Please refer to the following web-page for further information on how to apply, scholarships, English language requirements, thesis preparation and other research related matters: www.unsw.edu.au/futurestudents/research