Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) – James Cook University

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is a program of supervised original research. It culminates in the submission of a thesis that demonstrates the ability for critical analysis and research that makes a significant and original contribution to the knowledge and understanding of the field of study.

Your research topic

Applicants need to discuss their proposed research topic with an appropriate research supervisor. Please contact us for details.

James Cook University will form an advisory panel comprised of a Primary Advisor, Secondary Advisor and Advisor Mentor to assist HDR (Higher Degree by Research) candidates in their research journey.

Research areas available include: arts, anthropology, social sciences, game design, banking and finance, tourism, psychology, aquaculture, marine ecology, interdisciplinary topics, and other themes can be arranged to meet the needs of candidates.

Candidates are required to complete the core subjects before embarking on the thesis component as per course structure below

Core subjects

• Planning the Research: Doctoral Candidates
• Situating the Research: Doctoral Candidate
• Professional Development: Doctoral Candidates

+ One of the below

• Doctor of Philosophy Research Thesis (Architecture and Building)
• Doctor of Philosophy Research Thesis (Information Technology)
• Doctor of Philosophy Research Thesis (Management and Commerce)
• Doctor of Philosophy Research Thesis (Education)
• Doctor of Philosophy Research Thesis (Society and Culture)
• Doctor of Philosophy Research Thesis (Agriculture, Environmental and Related Studies)
• Doctor of Philosophy Research Thesis (Health)

Applicants must demonstrate the capacity to undertake research at the Doctoral level by the attainment of at least one of the following:

• A Bachelor’s degree with at least Second Class Honours in a degree program that included a total of at least a semester of supervised project work, the results of which contributed to the Honours grade;
• A postgraduate qualification which included: (a) supervised research component(s) of at least one semester or equivalent and resulted in the production of output(s) graded at the equivalent of Distinction or better, and (b) at least one research methods subject;
• A Research Masters degree, where at least two thirds of the degree consisted of a supervised research component and resulted in the production of a thesis or equivalent;
• A combination of qualifications, research training and experience, considered equivalent to the above and deemed appropriate by the university, e.g., senior authorship of at least one peer-reviewed publication plus completion of an appropriate research methods subject.

Note: Candidates who do not meet any of the above may apply for a higher degree pathway offered in the form of the Graduate Certificate of Research Methods and the Graduate Diploma of Research Methods.

English Requirements

• Applicants of non-English speaking backgrounds must meet the English language proficiency requirements of IELTS 6.5 (no component lower than 6.0) / TOEFL (Internet Based) 86 (no component less than 21) / Pearson PTE Academic 58 (no component less than 54); or
• Satisfactory completion of James Cook University Singapore English Language Preparatory Program
  (ELPP); or
• Successful completion of other qualifications completed in English Language deemed comparable
  to Australian standards within the last two years on a case-by-case basis

Dates
For more information on Application Dates, click here.

Fees
For more information on Fee, Scholarships and Finance matters, click here.

James Cook University (Singapore Campus)
149 Sims Drive
Singapore 387380

Tel: +65 67093888
Email: admissions-singapore@jcu.edu.au