Why Study/Key Benefits

The Doctor of Philosophy (Health Sciences) is a research-focused doctoral programme in which students undertake supervised research intended to make a significant and original contribution to a discipline or profession.

Key benefits include:

• Advanced doctoral-level research training in health sciences and related fields.
• Opportunity to undertake pure, exploratory, applied, experimental or creative research.
• Individual supervision from academic researchers throughout the candidature.
• Development of independent thinking, decision-making, logical reasoning, communication and project-management skills.
• Opportunities to participate in research training covering areas such as thesis writing, publishing and presenting.
• Internship opportunities may be available to Higher Degree by Research students.
• Research can be undertaken across areas including psychology, neuroscience, health sciences, data sciences and health professions.
• The programme is suitable for students seeking careers in academic research, health research, government, industry, not-for-profit organisations and related analytical or consulting roles.

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

This is a research-only doctoral programme rather than a conventional coursework PhD.

The main components are:

• Selection and development of an approved research topic.
• Appointment of an appropriate research supervisor or supervisory team.
• Independent and supervised doctoral research.
• Research training and professional development activities.
• Formal progress reviews.
• Preparation of the final doctoral thesis or approved equivalent research output.
• Examination of the final research submission.

Research may be:

• Pure
• Exploratory
• Applied
• Experimental
• Creative

The final submission can take the form of:

• A written research thesis.
• A written research thesis including associated papers.
• An approved artefact with an accompanying exegesis.

For a conventional thesis, Swinburne indicates a final submission of approximately 70,000–100,000 words, depending on the discipline and nature of the research.

Research progress is formally monitored through:

• Pre-confirmation review: approximately 3 months after enrolment.
• Confirmation of candidature review: approximately 9–12 months.
• Mid-candidature review: approximately 21–24 months.
• Draft thesis review: approximately 33–36 months, with follow-up approximately three months before thesis submission.

Disciplines/Specialisations

The current Health Sciences PhD identifies five broad research areas:

• Psychology
• Neuroscience
• Health Sciences
• Data Sciences
• Health Professions

Programme Highlights

• Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences.
• Course code: DR-HTHSCI.
• CRICOS: 064191C.
• Hawthorn campus, Melbourne.
• 3–4 years full-time.
• Maximum international course duration: 4 years.
• Research areas covering psychology, neuroscience, health sciences, data sciences and health professions.
• Supervised doctoral research.
• Formal candidature progress reviews.
• Research training in areas such as thesis writing, publishing and presenting.
• Internship opportunities may be available to Higher Degree by Research students.
• Final research outcome normally up to a maximum of 100,000 words, with a conventional thesis generally 70,000–100,000 words.

Career Outcomes

Swinburne identifies career opportunities including:

• Academic
• Researcher
• Consultant in government, industry or not-for-profit organisations
• Entrepreneur
• Business development
• Policy, market or quantitative analyst

Latest Updates/Special Requirements

The most important special requirement is finding an appropriate supervisor before applying.

Swinburne states that applicants must:

1. Decide on a research topic.
2. Identify a potential supervisor using Swinburne's supervisor resources.
3. Contact the potential supervisor and discuss the proposed research.
4. Obtain support from an appropriate and willing supervisor.
5. Submit the formal application.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students studying this PhD in Australia generally require a Student visa (subclass 500).

The programme has CRICOS code 064191C and is an eligible doctoral programme delivered at Swinburne's Hawthorn campus.

Key Student visa requirements generally include:

• A valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), unless an exemption applies.
• Meeting the Genuine Student requirement.
• Meeting applicable health requirements.
• Meeting applicable character requirements.
• Providing financial evidence where required.
• Providing English-language evidence where required.
• Complying with the conditions attached to the Student visa.