Doctor of Philosophy - IFM

As a PhD student at the Institute for Frontier Materials you'll undergo unique research training to equip you for a range of future careers.

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Key facts

Duration

3-4 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

As a PhD student at the Institute for Frontier Materials (IFM) you will receive unique research training to equip you for a range of future careers. The Doctor of Philosophy is normally completed over three years. Our researchers work on projects in electromaterials, fibres and textiles, carbon fibres and composites, infrastructure materials, micro/nano materials and advanced alloys.

Award granted: Doctor of Philosophy
Year: 2025 course information
Deakin code: F905
CRICOS code?: 006253G Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
Level: Higher Degree Research
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition: The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 10

Intakes by location

HDR applications now open
Applications for research degrees without scholarship may be made at any time. Commencement of research degrees is not confined to Deakin's trimesters.

Participation requirements

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 to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.

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 6.5 (with no band score less than 6.0) 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.

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

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Get all the information you need to successfully apply for a Deakin research degree or PhD, including key dates, entry requirements, supporting documents and finding a research supervisor. We’re here to support you through the process.

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Contact information

Our friendly advisers are available to speak to you one-on-one about your study options, support services and how we can help you further your career.

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Careers

Career outcomes

A PhD at the Institute for Frontier Materials provides a pathway and training for future jobs as research scientists, development engineers, consultants and academics in the area of materials science, energy, textile technology and more.

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.

Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes	Course Learning Outcomes
Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities	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.
Communication	Demonstrate autonomy, authoritative judgement, adaptability, leadership, initiative, resilience and responsibility as an expert and leading practitioner or scholar.
Digital literacy	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.
Critical thinking	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.
Problem solving	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.
Self-management	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.
Teamwork	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.
Global citizenship	Demonstrate autonomy, authoritative judgement, adaptability, leadership, initiative, resilience and responsibility as an expert and leading practitioner or scholar.