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.
Candidates undertake research, which may be pure, exploratory, applied, experimental and/or creative. They must submit a written research thesis, or a written research thesis including associated papers, of between 70,000 and 100,000 words.
Every international student application is considered for a scholarship
Whether you’re living in Australia or overseas, you’re automatically considered for a scholarship of up to 20% off your course fees. Please check our updated entry requirements.
Applicants may also be interested in the non-integrated Doctor of Philosophy (Design) program, which offers qualified candidates direct entry to the PhD.
Duration
3 Year/s
Intakes
Hawthorn (Semester 1)
CRICOS code
064191C
Fees
A$33280 (annual for 2023)*
The indicative course fees shown in Course Search apply to international students for the relevant year only. They are based on a standard study load per year. However, please note that fees are assessed according to a student's study load in each semester, and variation to study load will result in an adjustment to tuition fees. All fees are subject to annual review and may be adjusted.
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. Candidates undertake research, which may be pure, exploratory, applied, experimental and/or creative, and are required to submit a written research thesis or a written research thesis including associated papers. 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.
The Doctor of Philosophy (DR-INTDES) program is part of a combined set of programs that offer students a pathway into a higher degree by research from an undergraduate degree. Prior to undertaking the Doctor of Philosophy (DR-INTDES), students must complete a Bachelor of Research (Honours) (BH-INTDES) and Master of Research (MR-INTDES).
International students in Australia who hold student visas are required to study full-time and on campus. Courses that are taught entirely online are only available to international students studying outside Australia or those in Australia who are not on a student visa. Online courses are not available to international students in Australia who hold a student visa.
Course structure
To qualify for the award of Doctor of Philosophy, candidates are required to complete the following:
- PhD thesis (70,000 to 100,000 word thesis or equivalent)
Careers and graduate outcomes
- Course aims and objectives.
Aims and objectives
Upon successful completion of the PhD, graduates will be able to:
1. Demonstrate systematic and critical understanding in one or more specialist fields or discipline areas by planning and generating a substantial and original contribution that advances scholarship or professional practice
2. Effectively disseminate research outcomes to a variety of audiences using highly developed communication skills and work productively within a team of experts in the field
3. Demonstrate autonomy, authoritative judgment, adaptability, leadership, initiative, resilience and responsibility of an expert and leading practitioner or scholar.

Pathways and scholarships
- Scholarships.
Course fees and requirements
- Fees, entry requirements and English language requirements.
Course fees
Entry requirements
A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) can now be done on campus in Hawthorn at Room 132, Building TD. Book now or call +61 3 9214 3584 for more information.
To be eligible for admission into the Doctor of Philosophy (DR-INTDES) course, an applicant must have successfully completed:
- Master of Research (MR-INTDES) at Swinburne with a minimum H2A average (70% or higher)
- Confirmation of Candidature Review
English language requirements
- minimum IELTS overall band of 6.5 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 6.0 or a TOEFL iBT (internet-based) minimum score of 79 (with a reading band no less than 18 and writing band no less than 20); or Pearson (PTE) 58 (no communicative skills less than 50) no longer than 24 months before submitting your application
- satisfactory completion of Swinburne’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Advanced level certificate at the postgraduate level (EAP 5: PG-70%)
- successful completion of a total of 24 months (full time equivalent) of formal study where the language of instruction and assessment was English at AQF level 7 or above (or equivalent) at an approved university no longer than 60 months before submitting your application
- successful completion of a degree where the language of instruction and assessment was English at AQF level 8 or above (or equivalent) at an approved university no more than 60 months prior to submitting their application for candidature
How to apply
To apply for this degree follow the step-by-step application process.