Doctor of Philosophy (Arts)

Course summary

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is an advanced postgraduate research degree that develops research skills and provides high-achieving candidates with the opportunity to conduct in-depth research in their chosen discipline.

Under the guidance of a supervisory team, consisting of two supervisors, you will independently plan and execute a research project that will lead to the production of a substantial thesis. By completing a doctoral (PhD) thesis in arts, normally between 80,000 and 100,000 words in length, you will be making a significant research contribution to your field of knowledge.

As a potential student, you are encouraged to identify possible supervisors who match your area of research interest by reviewing research specialisms of staff in the schools in the Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities.

For information regarding the University's research activity, research strengths, scholarships and services, visit UOW's Research and Innovation website. For specific information relating to research being undertaken within the Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, visit the Faculty's research pages.

Course information

Study area

Arts & Humanities, International Studies, Research

Campus

Wollongong

Course Code

220

Duration

4 years full-time or part-time equivalent

Delivery

On Campus

Cricos

087638J

UAC Code

-

Admission, Key dates, and Fees

A range of admission options are available for students of all ages and academic backgrounds. The procedures governing admission are defined in UOW's Admissions Procedures, and the UOW College Admissions Policy.

For any specific advice or questions regarding an application, please contact the Future Students Team.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Honours degree with 2nd class Division 1 or higher; Research Masters with at least ⅔ of the degree comprising a thesis. UOW Masters of Research with WAM70+; Coursework Masters with a substantial thesis and WAM75+ or GPA 3.2 out of 4. Other forms of research experience will also be considered.
Special Admission Requirements
All applicants for research degrees must submit a written (preferably typed) proposal as part of their application. This proposal should:

  • commence with a statement detailing any previous research or project experience you have undertaken, including if possible a copy of the abstract of such work;
  • contain, in no more than one additional page, a clearly focussed research proposal for the study you would wish to undertake throughout your registration in the course; and
  • conclude with a statement of your motivation for wanting to undertake the research course.

Students are advised to make contact with a potential supervisor to discuss their project prior to applying for admission.

FEES

CAMPUS

DELIVERY METHOD

SESSION FEE*

COURSE FEE*

Wollongong

On Campus

$15,168 (2025)

$121,344 (2025)

Most postgraduate research degrees are covered by the Federal Government's Research Training Program (RTP).
If you receive an offer with an RTP place, you do not need to pay the cost of tuition while you are studying as long as you are within your time limits for course completion.

* Session fees are for one session for the year shown. Total course tuition fees shown are indicative, and are based on normal course length and progression.
These fees are subject to change from year to year. However, if you receive an offer to study at UOW, your fees will be fully confirmed at the time of your offer.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Honours degree with 2nd class Division 1 or higher; Research Masters with at least ⅔ of the degree comprising a thesis. UOW Masters of Research with WAM70+; Coursework Masters with a substantial thesis and WAM75+ or GPA 3.2 out of 4. Other forms of research experience will also be considered.
Special Admission Requirements
All applicants for research degrees must submit a written (preferably typed) proposal as part of their application. This proposal should:

  • commence with a statement detailing any previous research or project experience you have undertaken, including if possible a copy of the abstract of such work;
  • contain, in no more than one additional page, a clearly focussed research proposal for the study you would wish to undertake throughout your registration in the course; and
  • conclude with a statement of your motivation for wanting to undertake the research course.

Students are advised to make contact with a potential supervisor to discuss their project prior to applying for admission.


ENGLISH REQUIREMENTS

The following level of English is required to gain admission to this program:

English Test

Overall Score

Reading

Writing

Listening

Speaking

IELTS Academic

7.0

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.5

TOEFL (Internet-based)

98

22

22

19

19

UOW College: English for Tertiary Studies: Distinction (weighted average mark of 75 overall and minimum 50 in Academic Reading and Writing)

Other qualifications may also be considered. Full details can be found on our English Language Requirements website.


FEES

Tuition fees are reviewed annually: fees payable are dependent on the year of commencement and are subject to increase during the period of study.

Additional Fees:


In addition to tuition, there are other fees and costs you will need to consider, including but not limited to:



  • Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)

  • Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF)

For more details on fees and other costs, please visit Fees and Assistance.

CAMPUS

DELIVERY METHOD

SESSION FEE*

COURSE FEE*

Wollongong

On Campus

$16,392 (2025)

$131,136 (2025)

* Session fees are for one session for the year shown. Total course tuition fees shown are indicative, and are based on normal course length and progression.
These fees are subject to change from year to year. The fees outlined in your Letter of Offer of Admission to the University are correct at the point of offer, but are indicative and subject to change without notice. The indicative total course tuition fee is an estimate, based on normal course length and progression and current course fees.

Admission Profile


INDICATIVE ENROLMENT



STUDENT PROFILE

This table shows the breakdown of the applicant background of the student group at UOW for this course. It provides data on students that commenced undergraduate study and continued study beyond the census date at UOW in 2023.

Applicant background

2023 intake

2023 intake (%)

Higher education study Students who have studied a University course, or completed a bridging or enabling course.

-

-

Vocational education & training study Students who have undertaken vocational education or training since leaving school.

-

-

Work & life experience Students admitted on the basis of previous achievement other than higher education study, vocational education & training, or recent secondary education.

-

-

Recent secondary education

ATAR Only Students admitted only on the basis of ATAR including any applied adjustment factors.

-

-

ATAR plus additional criteria Students who were admitted on the basis of both ATAR and additional criteria (e.g. an audition or individual subject results).

-

-

Other criteria only (non-ATAR) These students were admitted on the basis of other criteria where ATAR was not a factor (e.g. UOW Early Admission).

-

-

International students All other students.

-

-

All students

-

-

< 5: Number of students is less than 5
N/A: Data not available for this item
N/P: Not published (hidden to prevent calculation of other numbers less than 5)


ATAR PROFILE

This table relates to all students selected on the basis of ATAR alone or ATAR in combination with adjustment factors. For more information on adjustment factors commonly available to applicants, see ‘ATAR-based admission’.

ATAR profile of ATAR-based offers in 2023

ATAR The unadjusted, raw ATARs for students offered a place wholly or partly on the basis of ATAR. Selection Rank The ATARs of the same student group, including the impact of adjustment factors.
Highest rank to receive an offer

-

-

Median rank to receive an offer

-

-

Lowest rank to receive an offer

-

-

< 5: Less than 5 ATAR-based offers made
N/A: Data not available for this item
N/P: Not published (less than 5 ATAR-based offers made)

More Information

For more information about UOW admission pathways, see UOW Admission Information.

Key Dates

SESSION

CAMPUS

SESSION DETAILS

2025 Autumn

Wollongong

Orientation: 26 February 2025
Session: 03 March - 27 June 2025

Applications Close
Higher Degree Research (HDR) applications can be submitted online at any time. However, applicants applying for an HDR course that includes coursework are not permitted to enrol after the commencement of second week of session.

2025 Spring

Wollongong

Orientation: 14 July 2025
Session: 28 July - 20 November 2025

Applications Close
Higher Degree Research (HDR) applications can be submitted online at any time. However, applicants applying for an HDR course that includes coursework are not permitted to enrol after the commencement of second week of session.

Course Structure

(Current year structure - subject to change)

Course Handbook

Why choose this course

The Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities produces internationally recognised and focused research, exploring key contemporary issues within specialised disciplinary contexts and through rich interdisciplinary dialogue and exchange. 

Graduates will have a capacity for rigorous and disciplined analysis, along with highly developed attitudes of critical inquiry, creative reflection and openness to cultural difference and diversity. They will be able to adapt to rapidly changing environments in the national and international arena, and to adopt new skills and knowledge throughout their careers.

Recent graduates have found employment as policy analysts for government and the private sector; advisers to politicians and journalists; and in publishing, international aid, the diplomatic corps, heritage consultancy, legal services, environmental projects, community development, arts administration and academia.

The Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities is internationally regarded for its excellence in humanities, social sciences, creative arts and law.