Reimagine your career with a research degree at Deakin

Shake up your business as usual and position yourself to transform the workforce of the future. Our research community will help you to unlock a world of opportunity and encourage you to pursue creative and innovative approaches to your research. Throughout your degree you’ll receive guidance from some of the world’s leading researchers and benefit from access to world-class facilities.

At Deakin we offer two main types of research degrees a PhD and Master by Research.

PhD

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is an independent, supervised research project making an original and significant contribution to knowledge in your chosen discipline which results in a written thesis.

Master by Research

A Master by Research degree is awarded for an original contribution to knowledge. The length of the thesis submitted for examination will be less than for a PhD. A Master by Research is often a good steppingstone before embarking on a PhD.

Higher degrees by research webinar

On-demand webinar

Learn from our experts about our research degrees and how you can turn your great ideas into impact.

Find out more

Our research community

Deakin is home to four faculties, 14 schools, 7 research institutes and 7 Strategic Research and Innovation Centres (SRICs). We offer a broad and exciting range of multidisciplinary projects across our vibrant research community.

Our research community provides a strong culture of support and a range of services including help with finding funding, assistance and advice on applying for and managing research grants, support for research prizes and awards, researcher development and compliance incorporating research integrity.

Deakin researchers have access to national and international grants and schemes. These opportunities cover a wide range of disciplines and include funding from industry, government and commercial collaborations.

Explore our faculties, institutes and strategic research centres

Re-imagine your career with a PhD

Re-imagine your career, connect with industry, and make your impact alongside world-leading researchers in one of Australia’s leading research communities. There are 400 research scholarships available.

Scholarships

PhD and research degree scholarships recognise and reward students from a broad range of backgrounds across a number of interest areas; covering tuition fees and providing a living allowance. Take advantage of generous government or university-funded scholarships to support you during your candidature, including:

  • $33,500 per annum, tax exempt
  • Assistance with living costs and access to a range of support services
  • Relocation allowance of up to $1500
  • Single Overseas Student Health Cover policy for the duration of the student visa
  • Assistance applying for national and international grants and schemes

Check your eligibility, find out how to apply for a scholarship, and discover our top tips for making a strong application.

Explore research scholarships

Our research strengths

Advancing society and culture

Building safe and secure communities

Improving health and wellbeing 

Enabling a sustainable world 

Designing smarter technologies 

Advancing society and culture

Advancing society and culture

Our research helps strengthen society, culture and the economy through creative, contemporary and intercultural approaches to education, the arts and business.

Find out how Deakin researchers are advancing society, culture and the economy

Building safe and secure communities

Building safe and secure communities

From strengthening community resilience to the development of cutting-edge cyber security, our cross-disciplinary research builds ethical and innovative solutions to global security problems.

Find out how Deakin researchers are building safe and secure communities

Improving health and wellbeing 

Improving health and wellbeing 

Improved health and wellbeing underpins the success of any society, and at Deakin, we’re driving research that impacts lives – globally and locally – in meaningful ways.

Find out how Deakin researchers are improving health and wellbeing

Enabling a sustainable world 

Enabling a sustainable world 

Sustainable outcomes guide our research from idea to solution and application. We protect and manage our land, air and marine ecosystems; use innovative resource management technologies; and support the transition to sustainable energy solutions

Find out how Deakin researchers are enabling a sustainable world

Designing smarter technologies 

Designing smarter technologies 

We’re developing practical technology with ethical foundations to support a sustainable, progressive society.

Find out how Deakin researchers are creating smarter technologies

How to apply

Together we are change-makers. Join Deakin’s vibrant research community and work alongside world class academics and talented peers while building practical skills to transform tomorrow.

Learn how to apply

Find a research supervisor

Connect with our leading researchers and find a mentor who can help you to achieve your extraordinary future.

PhD Xtra – Be Expert

PhD Xtra offers all higher degree by research (HDR) students at Deakin an enhanced and individually tailored learning experience.

Cotutelle PhD Degree

Combine travel and research in an exciting program for a career on the global stage.

Contact the Higher Degrees by Research team

For all enquiries please contact Deakin Research:

Domestic candidature enquiries
+613 924 45258
Email the HDR candidature office

Domestic scholarship enquiries
+613 924 45413
Email the HDR scholarships office

International candidature and
scholarship enquiries

+613 924 48296
Email the international HDR team