Doctor of Philosophy

Look deeper into the questions of business and law that spark your curiosity and make a substantial, original contribution to knowledge in your chosen field.

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Key facts

Duration

3 years full-time or part-time equivalent

Locations

Current Deakin Students

To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook

Course overview

Make a substantial, original contribution to knowledge in your chosen field with the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), a supervised research program at Deakin.

This degree may be undertaken in the Deakin Business School or Deakin Law School and expert members of the academic staff will be appointed as your principal and associate supervisors. As well as your written thesis, you will be required to complete several coursework units and meet certain attendance requirements.

Deakin currently has around 1,600 higher degrees by research (HDR) candidates – passionate individuals making the most of our innovative facilities, partnerships, strategic research centres and world-class reputation.

Award granted: Doctor of Philosophy
Year: 2025 course information
Deakin code: M900
CRICOS code?: 006249D Burwood (Melbourne), Waterfront (Geelong), Warrnambool
Level: Higher Degree Research
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition: The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 10

Course structure

To complete the Doctor of Philosophy, you will be required to complete a 12-month probation period, which culminates in a Confirmation of Candidature at the 12-month mark. Only once your candidature is confirmed, can you proceed with your thesis project. Candidature is for a minimum of 2 years and a maximum of 4 years.

What is confirmation? | Students (deakin.edu.au)

Compulsory coursework

Students are required to complete research training units in accordance with their field of study. Details for Faculty of Business and Law PhD students:

https://www.deakin.edu.au/students/research/course-content/research-training-coursework-units

All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.

Intakes by location

Online candidature may be available in certain circumstances, subject to approval. Students will normally be required to be on-campus while completing their research methods coursework.

Course duration

You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.

Useful Links

More information on PhD Xtra

More information on research training coursework for M900

Mandatory student checks

Units which contain work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, working with children check or other check. These requirements will be detailed in unit guides upon enrolment.

Participation requirements

Units in this course may have participation requirements that include compulsory placements, work-based training, community-based learning or collaborative research training arrangements.

Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.

Entry requirements

Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements or higher to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.

A combination of qualifications and experience may be deemed equivalent to minimum academic requirements.

Academic requirements

To be considered for selection into a Higher Degrees by Research (HDR) degree, you are required to have completed either:

a research project in a related area including a thesis which is equivalent to at least 25% of a year's full-time study at Level 8 or 9 of the Australian Qualifications Framework with achievement of a grade for the project equivalent to a Deakin grade of 70% or equivalent
a masters degree (research) in a related area

English language proficiency requirements

To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:

bachelor degree from a recognised English-speaking country
IELTS overall score of 7.0 (with no band score less than 6.5) or equivalent
other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements)

Admissions information

Learn more about Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning.

Online studies

Deakin offers many courses which can be studied by distance education overseas.

However, international students living in Australia on a student visa, in each compulsory trimester (that is, Trimesters 1 and 2), must enrol in at least one unit that is offered as a Campus located unit and can, in addition enrol in units offered online. International students may undertake a maximum of up to one third (or equivalent) of their study as online study. Please note enrolment in one face to face unit in compulsory study periods is only allowed if the student is completing their final unit of study and will not exceed maximum one third (or equivalent) online requirement.

Fees and scholarships

Fee information

Estimated tuition fee - full-fee paying place

$35,000 for 1 yr full-time AUD
Learn more about fees and your options for paying.

The tuition fees you pay are determined by the course you are enrolled in. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only and represents the typical first-year tuition fees for students enrolled in this course. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Recognition of prior learning you have.

Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together eight credit points of a typical combination of units for this course. Eight credit points is used as it represents a typical full-time enrolment load for a year.

You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the handbook.

Learn more about international student fees.

Scholarship options

A Deakin scholarship could help you pay for your course fees, living costs and study materials. If you've got something special to offer Deakin - or maybe you just need a bit of extra support - we've got a scholarship opportunity for you. Search or browse through our scholarships

Apply now

Higher Degrees by Research

Deakin invites applications from exceptional candidates for its PhD program in business and law. For information on the application process, including how to prepare an expression of interest, visit the How to apply webpage.

Research Information

Supervision is available in the following discipline areas offered by the Faculty: Accounting, Marketing, Management, Information Systems/Business Analytics, Economics, Finance, and Law.

More information on research training coursework for M900:

https://www.deakin.edu.au/students/research/course-content/research-training-coursework-units

If you have any questions, please contact the Faculty Research Services Team

Research Administration Group
bl-phd@deakin.edu.au

Deakin University offers scholarships for study towards research doctoral degrees in all faculties. Information is available from:
University Scholarships Officer
Tel 03 5227 3492
research-scholarships@deakin.edu.au

Pathways

Alternative exits

Master of Commerce (Research) (M800)
Master of Laws - Major Thesis (M810)

Course learning outcomes

Deakin's graduate learning outcomes describe the knowledge and capabilities graduates can demonstrate at the completion of their course. These outcomes mean that regardless of the Deakin course you undertake, you can rest assured your degree will teach you the skills and professional attributes that employers value. They'll set you up to learn and work effectively in the future.

Course Learning Outcomes	Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes
Demonstrate systematic and critical understanding in one or more specialist fields or discipline areas by planning and generating a substantial and original contribution that advances scholarship or professional practice.	1. Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities: appropriate to the level of study related to a discipline or profession. 3. Digital literacy: using technologies to find, use and disseminate information. 6. Self-management: working and learning independently, and taking responsibility for personal actions.
Effectively disseminate research outcomes to a variety of audiences using highly developed communication skills and work productively within a team of experts in the field. Synthesise, apply and analyse existing and new knowledge in one or more discipline areas to develop new concepts or interpretations through engagement in ethical research, critical reflection, continuous evaluation and demonstration of research skills.	4. Critical thinking: evaluating information using critical and analytical thinking and judgment. 5. Problem solving: creating solutions to authentic (real world and ill-defined) problems. 7. Teamwork: working and learning with others from different disciplines and backgrounds.
Demonstrate autonomy, authoritative judgement, adaptability, leadership, initiative, resilience and responsibility as an expert and leading practitioner or scholar.	2. Communication: using oral, written and interpersonal communication to inform, motivate and effect change. 8. Global citizenship: engaging ethically and productively in the professional context and with diverse communities and cultures in a global context.

Course Learning Outcomes

Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate systematic and critical understanding in one or more specialist fields or discipline areas by planning and generating a substantial and original contribution that advances scholarship or professional practice.

1. Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities: appropriate to the level of study related to a discipline or profession.

3. Digital literacy: using technologies to find, use and disseminate information.

6. Self-management: working and learning independently, and taking responsibility for personal actions.

Effectively disseminate research outcomes to a variety of audiences using highly developed communication skills and work productively within a team of experts in the field.

Synthesise, apply and analyse existing and new knowledge in one or more discipline areas to develop new concepts or interpretations through engagement in ethical research, critical reflection, continuous evaluation and demonstration of research skills.

4. Critical thinking: evaluating information using critical and analytical thinking and judgment.

5. Problem solving: creating solutions to authentic (real world and ill-defined) problems.

7. Teamwork: working and learning with others from different disciplines and backgrounds.

Demonstrate autonomy, authoritative judgement, adaptability, leadership, initiative, resilience and responsibility as an expert and leading practitioner or scholar.

2. Communication: using oral, written and interpersonal communication to inform, motivate and effect change.

8. Global citizenship: engaging ethically and productively in the professional context and with diverse communities and cultures in a global context.