Doctor of Philosophy
Research
2025
You're considered an International student if you are:
Research
2025
MPDE
AUD$ 34,400 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 note12018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA)
2UNSTOPPABLE® is a Kellogg Company trade mark used under licence. Ranked #52, 2023 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 have the opportunity to undertake exciting and innovative research in the broad field of Education.
Our research is facilitated by a range of different research communities, including the Centre for Islamic Thought and Education, the Centre for Change and Complexity in Learning, the Centre for Research in Educational and Social Inclusion, and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages.
You may also choose to study an alternate subject matter that does not fit within these research communities. To do this you must find a suitable supervisor who specialises in this field.
A PhD will give you a competitive edge in the workplace. You may choose to pursue a career in academia, or in research with a research institution or university. Alternatively, you may choose to work in your chosen specialisation. For students of Aboriginal Studies there are a range of employment options, including:
Advanced research experience may also be the gateway to the Australian Public Service or leading NGOs, where you will be qualified to work across a range of sectors.
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.
Opportunities exist to study at Magill and City West campus, depending on your area of research.
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.