Doctor of Philosophy and Graduate Certificate of Research and Innovation Management [Information and Communication Technology] | International Student Courses | Swinburne University

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Doctor of Philosophy candidates undertake supervised research with the aim of making a significant and original contribution to a discipline or profession.

Candidates complete 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.

The graduate certificate aims to support students’ doctoral research and enhance their capacity to contribute significantly to knowledge in their discipline. The course also seeks to enhance students’ career prospects and employability through innovative research coursework and workshops. Students may also have the option of undertaking a work placement as an elective unit.

Information sessions

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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 30% off your course fees. Please check our updated entry requirements.

Duration

4 Year/s (maximum)

Intakes

Hawthorn (January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December)

CRICOS code

096282B

Fees

A$40400 (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, course structure and units of study.

Course description

As a Doctor of Philosophy and Graduate Certificate in Research and Innovation Management 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:

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: information technology, computer science, data management, software development and telecommunications.

Find out more about research areas and expertise in the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Technology.

The Graduate Certificate component of this program aims to support your doctoral research and to enhance your capacity to contribute significantly to knowledge in your discipline. The course also aims to enhance your learning experience, career prospects and employability through innovative research coursework and workshops.

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

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.

For the Graduate Certificate component, students are required to complete 50 credit points comprised of four units of 12.5 credit points each:

2 core units of study (25 credit points)
2 elective units of study, or equivalent (25 credit points)

At the commencement of their PhD, students will be enrolled into the two core units. They are required to complete these units within the first 12 months of candidature (prior to Confirmation of Candidature). Swinburne Research will deliver the two core units through a mix of online learning and face-to-face workshops on Hawthorn campus.

In consultation with the supervisory team, students take two elective units at any stage during the PhD candidature. The relevant faculty will deliver elective units, which can be online, multi modal, or on campus.

Units of study

Core units of the Graduate Certificate component
Complete the following 25 credit points:

Elective units of the Graduate Certificate component

Complete two elective units of study, or equivalent (25 credit points):

Please note that elective unit availability is subject to change.

Careers and graduate outcomes

- Career opportunities and course aims and objectives.

Career opportunities

The Graduate Certificate component of the program will provide students with a wider range of career opportunities by exposing them to industry practices in their specific field. This course is unique, giving our graduates a point of difference in a competitive job market. Students will also be exposed to innovative research viewpoints through course work, mentoring and networking arrangements, which will increase their confidence to pursue new business opportunities and working with industries. Students will have the option of taking a work placement as an elective unit subject to visa restrictions.

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.

On the successful completion of the Graduate Certificate component, you will be able to critically analyse, evaluate and transform information, apply problem solving, design and decision making methodologies to identify and provide effective solutions to complex problems and apply coherent and advanced knowledge of research principles and methods to prepare a piece of research. You will also be able to communicate effectively in professional practice to a range of audiences, function as an effective member or leader of a diverse team, and use the basic tools and practices of research within project work.

Pathways and scholarships

- Scholarships.

Scholarships

View our range of research scholarships.

Course fees and requirements

- Fees, entry requirements and English language requirements.

Course fees

A$40400 (annual for 2023)*

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.

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 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.

English language requirements

International applicants must provide evidence of one of the following:

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.

Find out more

Submit an online enquiry
Tel: +61 3 9214 5412