Doctor of Philosophy
Design
As a Doctor of Philosophy candidate you will undertake supervised research with the aim of making a significant and original contribution to a discipline or profession.
This program is suited to applicants who:
This program is suited to applicants who:
- have some prior research experience
- are interested in a pursuing a career in research
- have a desire to make an original contribution to research in a particular field
- have a naturally inquiring mind and a desire to know more
- wish to gain an internationally recognised qualification
- want to enhance their employment opportunities.
Research areas include: Product Design Innovation, Human Factors and Health in Design, Humanitarian Design and Shelter, Information Design, Design Engineering and Aged Care, Cross-Cultural Design, Human Computer Interaction Design, Aesthetics, Strategic Design and Management.
This course is currently in transition.
The course code, title, units, and content may change. Further information will become available on our website, upon enrolment or during your studies. To discuss your study options, please get in touch with us today.
Applicants may also be interested in an alternate Doctor of Philosophy (Design) program, which is part of a new integrated suite of programs offering a pathway to a higher degree by research for students who hold a three-year bachelor degree.
Duration
3-4 years full time (6-8 years part time)
Intakes
Hawthorn (January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December)
Study modes
- Full-time,
- Part-time
Course information in detail
- Course detail and course structure.
Course description
As a Doctor of Philosophy candidate you will undertake supervised research with the aim of making a significant and original contribution to a discipline or profession.
This program is suited to applicants who:
This program is suited to applicants who:
- have some prior research experience
- are interested in a pursuing a career in research
- have a desire to make an original contribution to research in a particular field
- have a naturally inquiring mind and a desire to know more
- wish to gain an internationally recognised qualification
- want to enhance their employment opportunities.
Research areas include: Product Design Innovation, Human Factors and Health in Design, Humanitarian Design and Shelter, Information Design, Design Engineering and Aged Care, Cross-Cultural Design, Human Computer Interaction Design, Aesthetics, Strategic Design and Management.
Course structure
The Doctor of Philosophy degree is generally completed over a period of four years full-time or eight years part-time. Candidates undertake research, which may be pure, exploratory, experimental and/or creative, and are required to submit a written research thesis, a written research thesis including associated papers, or an artefact with an accompanying exegesis. The examinable outcome will normally be equivalent to 70 000 to 100 000 words. Where the examinable outcome takes the form of a thesis, it is acknowledged that thesis length can vary according to the nature of the work and the discipline.
Throughout your candidature you will receive guidance and support from your research supervisors. You will also have the opportunity to participate in a number of research training sessions on topics such as thesis writing, publishing and presenting.
Throughout your candidature you will receive guidance and support from your research supervisors. You will also have the opportunity to participate in a number of research training sessions on topics such as thesis writing, publishing and presenting.
Careers and graduate outcomes
- Course aims and objectives and graduate skills.
Aims and objectives
The Doctor of Philosophy program has the objective of producing graduates with the capacity to conduct research independently at a high level of originality and quality. Graduates will demonstrate a capacity to design, conduct and report sustained and original research. While the research is conducted under a supervisor students are expected to demonstrate the ability to work independently.
Graduate skills
A Doctor of Philosophy graduate is expected to be able to:
- conduct independent research at a high level of originality and quality
- independently conceive of, design, conduct and complete a research project or program
- understand their given substantive area as well as the given methodological approach(es)
- communicate an argument convincingly, with clarity and relevance to appropriate audiences.
Other key skills obtained by research graduates include:
- Independent thinking
- Decision-making skills
- Good judgement
- Logical thought, rationality
- Communication skills
- Project management skills
- Data analysis
- Problem solving
- Critical thinking
Pathways and scholarships
- Scholarships.
Course fees and requirements
- Fees, entry requirements and non-year 12 entry.
Course fees
Fees published on this page are estimates only and are subject to change depending on individual circumstances at the time of enrolment. The above fees apply for units studied in 2023 only and may change for units studied in future years. There may be additional costs related to learning material and equipment.
Full course fee
If you are not granted a government subsidised place, the full course fee will apply. Check your eligibility now.
If you are not granted a government subsidised place, the full course fee will apply. Check your eligibility now.
If you are a domestic student (including Australian and New Zealand citizens, and Australian permanent residents) your application will be automatically considered for a Government-funded Research Training Program (RTP) place.
Entry requirements
Applicants must have completed at least four years (or equivalent) of tertiary education studies in a relevant discipline at a high level of achievement, and must have been approved for the award of the degree(s) for which they studied.
A high level of achievement is defined as the equivalent of a four year Swinburne Honours degree that includes a significant research component in the fourth year, leading to an Honours degree class 1 (average grade between 80-100) or class 2A (average grade between 70-79) level.
Four years of tertiary studies can be demonstrated by the completion of any of the combinations of qualifications below, at the required standard of achievement:
A high level of achievement is defined as the equivalent of a four year Swinburne Honours degree that includes a significant research component in the fourth year, leading to an Honours degree class 1 (average grade between 80-100) or class 2A (average grade between 70-79) level.
Four years of tertiary studies can be demonstrated by the completion of any of the combinations of qualifications below, at the required standard of achievement:
- a bachelor degree (three or four years) and a Masters by Research or
- a bachelor degree (three or four years) and an Honours year or
- a bachelor degree (three or four years) and a Masters by Coursework or
- a bachelor degree (three or four years) and a postgraduate diploma in Psychology or
- a bachelor degree (four years) in an approved discipline.
Find out more about entry requirements.
How to apply
To apply for this degree follow the step-by-step application process.
Students applying to the domestic Doctor of Philosophy (DR-DES) course will automatically be considered for a place in the Graduate Certificate of Research and Innovation Management (GC-RESIM) and do not need to apply separately for this course. The Graduate Certificate of Research and Innovation Management (GC-RESIM) is not available for direct entry.
Students applying to the domestic Doctor of Philosophy (DR-DES) course will automatically be considered for a place in the Graduate Certificate of Research and Innovation Management (GC-RESIM) and do not need to apply separately for this course. The Graduate Certificate of Research and Innovation Management (GC-RESIM) is not available for direct entry.
Find out more
Tel: 03 9214 5412