Doctor of Philosophy

Make a significant contribution to exercise science and sport research by exploring areas such as movement analysis and sport performance.

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Key facts

Duration

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

Make a significant contribution to exercise science/sport by undertaking PhD research.

You can commence PhD research in areas such as exercise science/sport and physical activity and nutrition. This includes epidemiological, behavioural and social science analyses of activity in whole populations and special groups; studies of muscle and bone metabolism and physiology of muscle.

Other study areas include movement analysis and sport performance relating particularly to motor skill acquisition, perception and action, movement economy, and fitness in older adults.

Research in the discipline of nutrition also includes measurement and evaluation of food sources, sports nutrition, and diet and disease with particular interest in cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes and osteoporosis.

Deakin currently has around 1600 higher degree by research candidates – intelligent people making the most of our excellent facilities, partnerships, strategic research centres and excellent reputation.

Award granted: Doctor of Philosophy
Year: 2025 course information
Deakin code: H940
CRICOS code?: 018829G Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Waterfront (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

Course structure

To complete the Doctor of Philosophy, you must pass 24 credit points. This includes:

DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period

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

Note: A Doctor of Philosophy is awarded for a substantial, original contribution to knowledge achieved in 3 years of full-time study (or 6 years of part-time study).

Intakes by location

The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.

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.

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.

Workload

A full-time student is expected to commit 36 hours a week to their PhD program. A student is entitled to 20 working days annual leave from candidature on approval by their Principal Supervisor. (Part-time is half the commitment.)

Work experience

Career Pathway Placements (internships) with industry partners, are offered as an elective, to all domestic and international HDR students. The timing of a proposed placement should be discussed with the supervisory team, and approved by the School HDR Coordinator.

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) in each component of test
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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Apply direct to Deakin

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.

Learn how to apply

Research Information

The Faculty of Health provides a range of higher degree by research programs at masters and doctorate level, including professional doctorates in the discipline of psychology.

The Faculty has affiliation with six of the University Strategic Research Centres, which work with national and international partners in health communities, business, industry and government to bring about evidence-based practical, equitable health outcomes globally, nationally and in local communities. The Centres are engaged in research programs related to patient care, patient safety, health services, mental health, psychiatric disorders, molecular medicine, immunology, neurosciences, public health research and evaluation, population health, human nutrition, physical activity and health, and social determinants of health and wellbeing.

Review details of research we are undertaking and the Strategic Research Centre.

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.

Call us: 1800 693 888 Monday – Friday, 9am–5pm
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Professional recognition

Not applicable

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.	Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities: appropriate to the level of study related to a discipline or profession. Digital literacy: using technologies to find, use and disseminate information. 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.	Critical thinking: evaluating information using critical and analytical thinking and judgment. Problem solving: creating solutions to authentic (real world and ill-defined) problems. 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.	Communication: using oral, written and interpersonal communication to inform, motivate and effect change. 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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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