Doctorate (PhD)
The UC Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is a research-only degree, carried out under expert supervision and using world-class facilities. At UC you can complete a PhD in over 70 subjects, joining over 1,000 students from more than 60 nations.
A PhD involves extensive, sustained, and original research in your chosen subject, with the results being presented in a thesis that will contribute to intellectual knowledge of the field. It is a mark of intellectual ability, self-discipline, and commitment. A PhD prepares you for a number of careers, including as an academic.
Enrolment in a PhD requires completion of a research-focused honours or master's degree, at First or Second Class (Division I) Honours or Distinction level (or equivalent qualifications).
Applicants with qualifications from outside Aotearoa New Zealand must have been granted admission to the University. Our admissions team, in consultation with the host department, look at your qualifications and transcripts to ensure that you have the background required to complete a PhD. It is possible that you may be required to complete preparatory courses prior to or after admission into a PhD programme.
In exceptional circumstances applicants without the typical academic background, but who can demonstrate the ability to pursue a PhD, may be admitted at the discretion of the Dean of Postgraduate Research.
If English is your additional language, you are also required to meet UC's English language requirements.
For the full entry requirements, see the Regulations for the Doctor of Philosophy or use the admission requirements checker.
The government has announced new vaccination requirements for the health and education sectors. At UC, our programmes are strongly connected to our communities of practice. For many of our programmes, you will not be able to complete research or practice-oriented courses if you are not vaccinated. This is due to research/practice taking place in health centres and schools/kura where all employees and volunteers are required to be vaccinated.
For enrolment in the Health Sciences major, you will be required to be vaccinated in line with the NZ Government regulations, and supply evidence of your vaccination status.
PhD students must contact a potential supervisor before applying. Information about the research interests of academic staff (supervisors) can be found on the relevant department website, or the UC Research Profile.
Find out more about how to apply for PhD and Doctoral degrees.