Funding your research degree
If you’re an outstanding graduate and aspiring researcher, you may be eligible to apply for a scholarship in one of our scholarship rounds.
A personal challenge
'What’s involved in a PhD is really finding a very small contribution that you can make to a body of knowledge. So it’s not trying to change the world, although often many people’s PhDs might lead to that, it’s really going very deep into a very narrow field of study.'
Find answers to your questions
Dr Kate Letheren chose to do a PhD to find answers to her questions about anthropomorphic tendency - a tendency we all have to varying degrees to see something as human, even when it’s not human.
PhD (Business) graduate
Improve your skill set with a PhD
'I essentially chose to do a PhD to improve my skill set and build on what I’d originally studied. My research looks at what happens when patients take photos of themselves and share that with their doctor'.
PhD (Business) student
Explore different avenues
'I decided to move into the topic of microalgae biofuels because it is a relatively new topic and economic research for this topic has been quite limited. At QUT, you’re free to explore different avenues from which you can take your research from'.
My first choice
'I’ve chosen to do a PhD because I love academia - it’s a passion for me. I did my masters here and it was a really good experience for me, so when I thought about the PhD, QUT was my first choice'.
PhD (Business) student
Amazing support
Linda Renouf talks about her research and the support she has received while completing her PhD. She explains how the Indigenous Postgraduate Research Award has enabled her to focus 100% on her research, and the importance of the cultural support she has received from her supervisors and the university.
Interdisciplinary research
'My research is around international laws and also autonomous entities. QUT offers a unique opportunity for interdisciplinary research, which is very important for what I am doing.'
Professional and inclusive
‘The research culture at QUT is professional, inclusive and allows a lot of collaboration. I like the fact that QUT has systems and resources that allow me to work the way I want to work, suiting my lifestyle.’
Funding your research degree
If you’re an outstanding graduate and aspiring researcher, you may be eligible to apply for a scholarship in one of our scholarship rounds.
A personal challenge
'What’s involved in a PhD is really finding a very small contribution that you can make to a body of knowledge. So it’s not trying to change the world, although often many people’s PhDs might lead to that, it’s really going very deep into a very narrow field of study.'
Find answers to your questions
Dr Kate Letheren chose to do a PhD to find answers to her questions about anthropomorphic tendency - a tendency we all have to varying degrees to see something as human, even when it’s not human.
PhD (Business) graduate
Improve your skill set with a PhD
'I essentially chose to do a PhD to improve my skill set and build on what I’d originally studied. My research looks at what happens when patients take photos of themselves and share that with their doctor'.
PhD (Business) student
Explore different avenues
'I decided to move into the topic of microalgae biofuels because it is a relatively new topic and economic research for this topic has been quite limited. At QUT, you’re free to explore different avenues from which you can take your research from'.
My first choice
'I’ve chosen to do a PhD because I love academia - it’s a passion for me. I did my masters here and it was a really good experience for me, so when I thought about the PhD, QUT was my first choice'.
PhD (Business) student
Amazing support
Linda Renouf talks about her research and the support she has received while completing her PhD. She explains how the Indigenous Postgraduate Research Award has enabled her to focus 100% on her research, and the importance of the cultural support she has received from her supervisors and the university.
Interdisciplinary research
'My research is around international laws and also autonomous entities. QUT offers a unique opportunity for interdisciplinary research, which is very important for what I am doing.'
Professional and inclusive
‘The research culture at QUT is professional, inclusive and allows a lot of collaboration. I like the fact that QUT has systems and resources that allow me to work the way I want to work, suiting my lifestyle.’


















Highlights
- Make an original and substantial contribution to knowledge in business.
- Develop high level research and analytical skills, and depth of knowledge in your chosen field.
- Enjoy in-house workshops and seminars, and be encouraged to publish as part of a strong and flourishing research culture.
- Apply for funding for conferences so you can share your work and network as you go.
- Opportunity to graduate and follow an academic career in both teaching and research, or advance your professional career prospects.
Highlights
- Make an original and substantial contribution to knowledge in business.
- Develop high level research and analytical skills, and depth of knowledge in your chosen field.
- Enjoy in-house workshops and seminars, and be encouraged to publish as part of a strong and flourishing research culture.
- Apply for funding for conferences so you can share your work and network as you go.
- Opportunity to graduate and follow an academic career in both teaching and research, or advance your professional career prospects.
Explore this course
We adopt a project management approach in our PhD programs. PhD candidates work closely with their supervisory team to meet collegially reviewed milestones leading to timely submission of a thesis for examination. We are proud of our record of timely completions and low attrition rates realised by this approach.
During candidature the supervisor and other key stakeholders will provide advice and direction to the candidate to encourage their participation in university scholarly activities such as research seminars, teaching and publication. The length of the thesis varies according to the topic, but should normally be no longer than 100,000 words, excluding bibliography.
Possible careers
- Academic
- Accountant
- Actuary
- Banking and Finance Professional
- Barrister
- Business Analyst
- Crown Law Officer
- Digital Economy Lawyer
- Diplomat
- Economist
- Financial Analyst
- Financial Project Manager
- Funds Manager
- Government Officer
- Higher Education Worker
- Human Resource Manager
- In-house Counsel
- Information Officer
- International Business Specialist
- Investment Manager
- Lawyer
- Legal Technology Specialist
- Manager
- Marketing Officer/Manager
- Organisational Communication Specialist
- Policy Officer
- Risk Manager
Mandatory units:
- IFN001 Advanced Information Retrieval Skills
- Time-based Thesis
Other units as agreed by student in negotiation with their supervisor and faculty.
Mandatory units:
- IFN001 Advanced Information Retrieval Skills
- Time-based Thesis
Other units as agreed by student in negotiation with their supervisor and faculty.
- Course code
- IF49
- CRICOS code
- 006367J
-
- Gardens Point
-
- Gardens Point
- Kelvin Grove
- 3 - 4 years full-time
-
The part-time study option may be subject to QUT approval.
- 4 years full-time
- The CRICOS registered course duration is four years however the course may be completed full-time in three to four years.
-
The part-time study option may be subject to QUT approval.
- Start any time
- Start any time
Academic entry requirements
You must have either:
- a completed recognised relevant honours degree (first class or second class Division A) or equivalent
- a completed recognised masters degree or professional doctorate (by research or coursework)
Admission to the Doctor of Philosophy depends on an applicant’s demonstrated research aptitude and the availability of supervision, infrastructure and resources needed for the proposed research project.
For more information on eligibility, read the admission criteria for the Doctor of Philosophy (PDF file, 352.6 KB).
Once you've started your PhD, you'll need to complete your Stage 2 milestone to be fully admitted to your course. You'll usually complete this milestone within the first three months of study.
Masters and professional doctorate degrees by coursework must have a significant research component, normally not less than 25%. Holders of masters and professional doctorate by coursework must:
- have a minimum grade point average (GPA) score of 5.0 on QUT's 7 point scale; and
- present evidence of research experience and potential for approval
Minimum academic requirements
Academic entry requirements
You must have either:
- a completed recognised relevant honours degree or equivalent
- a completed recognised masters degree or professional doctorate (by research or coursework)
Masters and professional doctorate degrees by coursework must have a significant research component, normally not less than 25%. Holders of masters and professional doctorate by coursework must:
- have a minimum grade point average (GPA) score of 5.0 on QUT's 7 point scale; and
- present evidence of research experience and potential for approval
Admission to the Doctor of Philosophy depends on an applicant’s demonstrated research aptitude and the availability of supervision, infrastructure and resources needed for the proposed research project.
Once you've started your PhD, you'll need to complete your Stage 2 milestone to be fully admitted to your course. You'll usually complete this milestone within the first three months of study.
For more information on eligibility, read the admission criteria for the Doctor of Philosophy (PDF file, 352.6 KB).
Minimum English language requirements
Select the country where you completed your studies to see a guide on meeting QUT’s English language requirements.
Your scores and prior qualifications in English-speaking countries are considered. Approved English-speaking countries are Australia, Canada, England, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa, United States of America and Wales.
If your country or qualification is not listed, you can still apply for this course and we will assess your eligibility.
We accept English language proficiency scores from the following tests. Tests must be taken no more than 2 years prior to the QUT course commencement.
English Test | Overall | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
PTE Academic/PTE Academic Online | 58 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
Cambridge English Score
You must share your results with QUT through the Candidate Results Online website. |
176 | 169 | 169 | 169 | 169 |
IELTS Academic / IELTS Online | 6.5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
TOEFL iBT / Home / Paper | 79 | 16 | 16 | 21 | 18 |
Don't have the English language score you need? We can help!
We offer English language programs to improve your English and help you gain entry to this course.
When you apply for this course, we will recommend which English course you should enrol in.
Your actual fees may vary depending on which units you choose. We review fees annually, and they may be subject to increases.
2023 fees
2023: To Be Announced
2023 fees
2023: To Be Announced
FINANCIAL GUARANTEE
Acceptable forms of evidence include:
- A letter from an approved employer confirming the continuation of your salary; OR
- A signed Scholarship Agreement between QUT and your sponsoring agency; OR
- An accepted letter of offer from QUT for a postgraduate research scholarship; OR
- An approved external scholarship.
If you're an Australian citizen or permanent visa holder, or a New Zealand citizen, your tuition fees are normally covered by the Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Fees Offset (Domestic), as long as you complete your degree within the program's set timeframes. You'll have to pay tuition fees if you exceed the time limits under the RTP.
FEE-HELP: loans to help you pay your course fees
You may not have to pay anything upfront if you're eligible for a FEE-HELP loan.
You can apply for scholarships to help you with study and living costs.
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