Why Study / Key Benefits

This programme is designed for international students who want to undertake advanced, original research in business while also receiving structured training in research and innovation management.

Key benefits include:

• Undertake supervised doctoral research intended to make a significant and original contribution to a discipline or profession.
• Research can be pure, exploratory, applied, experimental or creative.
• Build advanced independent-thinking and decision-making capabilities.
• Develop communication, judgement, logical-thinking and project-management skills.
• Complete formal research-management training alongside the PhD.
• Receive supervision and participate in research-training activities covering areas such as thesis writing, publishing and presenting.
• Access internship opportunities available to Higher Degree by Research students.
• Study within Swinburne's AACSB-accredited business environment.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The programme has two integrated components:

1. Doctor of Philosophy
2. Graduate Certificate of Research and Innovation Management

PhD research component:

The doctoral component involves supervised original research. Candidates normally produce a substantial research thesis, with the combined programme page specifying a final written research thesis, including associated papers, of up to 60,000 words.

The programme includes formal progress reviews:

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

Graduate Certificate component:

Core units:

• Project Management for Research – INF60016 – 12.5 credit points
• Innovation and Impact in Research – ENT60010 – 12.5 credit points

Students then select two elective units, normally 12.5 credit points each, in consultation with their supervisory team.

Relevant elective options listed by Swinburne include:

• Research Methodology – BUS80003
• Quantitative Research Methods – BUS80017
• Qualitative Research Methods – BUS80018
• Social Entrepreneurship – ENT80018
• Research Engagement – MFP60001
• Research Training – MFP60002
• Directed Study – MFP60003
• Research Skills – NPS60001
• Statistical Practice 1 – STA60001
• Research Design – STA60004
• Multivariate Statistics – STA70002
• Data Management and Analytics Using SAS – STA70003
• Survey Sampling – STA70005
• Bayesian Statistics – STA80007
• Advanced Research Communication Skills in Science, Engineering and Technology – COM80001
• Applied Research Methods – ICT90003
• Research Methods – ICT80011

Disciplines / Specialisations

The programme is in Business.

Swinburne currently lists these major research areas for the Business PhD:

• Accounting, auditing and accountability
• Economics and finance
• Marketing
• Management
• Sport management

Programme Highlights

Important programme features include:

• International-student-only combined research qualification.
• Four-year maximum full-time duration.
• Doctor of Philosophy in Business.
• Graduate Certificate of Research and Innovation Management integrated into the PhD.
• 50 credit points of formal research-management coursework.
• Supervised original research.
• Business research areas including accounting, economics, finance, marketing, management and sport management.
• Financial Technology is also identified as a Business PhD research area on Swinburne's current PhD Business information.
• AACSB-accredited business environment.
• Research-training workshops covering thesis writing, publishing and presenting.
• Opportunities for Higher Degree by Research internships.

Career Outcomes

Swinburne identifies potential career directions including:

• Academic
• Researcher
• Consultant
• Entrepreneur
• Policy, market or economic analyst
• Project manager.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The most important application requirement is the supervisor requirement.

Swinburne states that applicants must:

1. Decide on a research topic.
2. Ensure the proposed topic aligns with Swinburne's research areas.
3. Find an appropriate and willing supervisor.
4. Discuss the research project with the potential supervisor.
5. Submit the research-degree application.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students undertaking this programme in Australia will generally require an Australian Student visa (subclass 500), subject to their individual circumstances.

Key requirements include:

• Enrolment in an eligible registered course.
• A Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
• Meeting the Genuine Student requirement.
• Meeting applicable health and character requirements.
• Demonstrating financial capacity where required.
• Maintaining Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
• Complying with Student visa conditions.
• Maintaining the required study arrangements.