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Swinburne University of Technology

  • 23% international / 77% domestic

Doctor of Philosophy Design

  • Doctorate (PhD)

Key details

Degree Type
Doctorate (PhD)
Course Code
DR-DES, 064191C
Study Mode
In person
Domestic Fees
$30,550 total
International Fees
$30,800 per year

About this course

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:
  • 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.
 
Find out more about research areas and expertise in the Faculty of Health, Arts and Design.

Study locations

Hawthorn

Career pathways

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

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.