Doctor of Philosophy
Research
2025
You're considered an International student if you are:
Research
2025
IPHH
AUD$ 42,000 per annum (per 1.0 EFTSL) for students enrolled in 2025
Doctorate by research
You must check the entry requirements for the type of research degree you wish to apply for and make sure you are eligible.
Please note1The only university in SA to have all its assessed Human Movement and Sports Science research rated well-above world standard. 2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA). 22018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA). 3UNSTOPPABLE® is a Kellogg Company trade mark used under licence. 4Ranked #43, 2024 THE Young University Rankings.
UniSA research is inspired by the challenges and opportunities of today. In the 2018 Australian Research Council Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) evaluation of Australian universities, all of our assessed research was rated at world class or above. We are vibrant, outward-facing and responsive. We partner with industry, government and communities to seek answers to questions that arise in the real world.
Learn more about our research.
UniSA intends to deliver industry and end-user informed research that supports employer-relevant curriculum. To achieve this, and to produce entrepreneurial and business-aware graduates, we have developed the transformed PhD.
We have added a structured component to research degrees including enhanced skill development, supervisory panels and a technology-enabled oral defence of the thesis. Through these activities you will develop a set of professional, transferable skills relevant to our knowledge-based enterprise economy.
The aim of the transformed PhD is to increase your employment prospects in any career path. You will possess the knowledge, expertise and confidence to meet the emerging needs of academia, industry, government and the community.
Research students can complete exciting and innovative research topics that span areas such as:
Our research is also facilitated by research concentrations and groups, including:
Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA): evaluating the role of exercise, nutrition and activity for promoting health and performance.
Innovation, IMPlementation and Clinical Translation in health (IIMPACT): focused on solving grand health challenges such as persistent pain, stroke recovery, persistent breathlessness and the rural health inequity.
Australian Centre for Precision Health (ACPreH): aimed to prevent disease before it strikes; creating innovative solutions to address issues focused on health and wellbeing.
UniSA provides a dynamic, multidisciplinary environment to explore your own ideas under the supervision of some of Australia’s leading researchers. As Australia’s University of Enterprise, we focus on finding pragmatic solutions and creating new knowledge to address globally significant issues. In fact, 100% of our assessed research rated at or above world-class.1
We offer a research environment with highly experienced and engaged supervisors, extensive connections to industry, government and communities, and a focus on addressing globally significant issues. We encourage you to connect with our researchers and find out the possibilities.
You can explore research areas across allied health, exercise and sport science, human movement, health science and public health.
UniSA is also ranked as the No.1 Young University in Australia for industry income.2 Our commitment to research with an industry focus is unprecedented. Read more about our strengths in research and discover some of our achievements.
12018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA), 4-digit Fields of Research. 22024 THE Young University Rankings.
Before applying, you will need to do some investigation. Our step-by-step guide will take you through the process of preparing your application to maximise your chances of success.
Please check the research degrees calendar for all key dates.
Every year, over 2,500 UniSA students are supported in their studies through scholarships and grants worth millions of dollars. Check out the scholarships below. One of them may be perfect for you. Visit our scholarships page for more.
These scholarships will cover your tuition fees and your overseas health cover, and provide and a stipend (living allowance).
These scholarships address local, national and international grand challenges, and encourage collaboration with industry and community partners.
We offer unparalleled learning facilities, and are committed to continually investing in and upgrading our laboratories and technical capabilities. Some of our specialised spaces include:
For information on applying to do postgraduate study by research, including Masters by Research, PhDs or Doctorates, please visit unisa.edu.au/Research/Degrees/
You are eligible for a range of scholarships and grants as a current research student.
For example, the prestigious Vice Chancellor and President’s Scholarship,
Maurice de Rohan International Travel Scholarships or one of UniSA’s International Travel Grants.
See Scholarships and Prizes for more information.