Key facts
Duration
4 years full-time or part-time equivalent
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.
Read MoreCourse information
- Award granted
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Year
2024 course information
- Deakin code
- H940
- CRICOS code?
- 018829G Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Waterfront (Geelong)
- Level
- Higher Degree Research
- Approval status
This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework.
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 10.
Course structure
A Doctor of Philosophy is awarded for a substantial, original contribution to knowledge achieved in three years of full-time study (or six years of part-time study).
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
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.
Additional course information
Course duration
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.
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
Admission criteria
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 course entry 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
- 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
Apply now
Higher degree by research applicants must apply via the online applicant portal. You will be required to attach a number of certified supporting documents, in addition to your research proposal and referee reports.
For information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply webpage.
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.
To review details of the Strategic Research Centres and the research we are undertaking click here.
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 Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm
- Live Chat: Mon–Thurs, 8am–7pm, Fri 8am–5pm
- Submit an online enquiry
- Help hub find common and trending questions and answers
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 (CLOs) | Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (DGLO) |
| 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. |