Arts and Social Sciences
Ph.D.
Overview
Candidates for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) research and write a thesis on an approved topic. It is also possible for candidates to conduct a practice-led PhD with the thesis made up of a written component and substantial creative work. All research is conducted with the support of a supervisory team of academics.
The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Sydney is consistently ranked among the world’s outstanding centres for research in the humanities and social sciences.
The PhD is offered in disciplines ranging across the visual arts and art history, archaeology and classics, various modern languages and their cultures, economics, English language and literature, ancient, medieval and modern history, philosophy, the global political economy and international governance, sociology and cultural studies, media and communications, education and social work.
Structure
Research areas
PhD candidates in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences undertake research in over 40 subject areas based in the faculty’s six schools. These are the Schools of Economics; the Languages and Cultures; Art, Communication and English (including Sydney College of the Arts); Humanities; Social and Political Sciences; and the Sydney School of Education and Social Work.
Research may also be undertaken in association with the University of Sydney’s humanities and social sciences research centres or groups.
Costs
Tuition
HK$240,000.02
(international)
Funding
Admissions
Qualifications
To be eligible for admission to the Doctor of Philosophy (Arts and Social Sciences), you must have completed the equivalent of one of the following in a subject area related to your proposed research area:
- bachelor’s degree with first class or second-class honours or, master’s degree by research; or
- master’s degree by coursework with a substantial independent research component such as a thesis, dissertation or research project, with a minimum overall pass average of 75% or above; or
- demonstrated appropriate experience and alternative qualifications at a high level of excellence in the proposed field of research.
Applicants who are close to completing an entry requirement, such as honours or a masters degree, may apply and my receive a conditional offer of admission.
Transfer from Master of Philosophy
Outstanding candidates in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences who successfully complete up to one year full-time or equivalent part-time of the Master of Philosophy (Arts and Social Sciences) or Master of Fine Arts may apply for transfer into the Doctor of Philosophy (Arts and Social Sciences) and be granted credit for work already completed. You must provide evidence that your research is of a sufficient scope and depth for a doctoral thesis. This transfer may be applied for with the support of your supervisor, Progress Evaluation panel, and School Postgraduate Coordinator. You must also have met all higher degree by research progression requirements and have completed at least 20,000 words of a thesis (or practice-led equivalent) to the satisfaction of the School Postgraduate Coordinator.
Meeting these minimum requirements for eligibility does not guarantee admission in the PhD, which is always subject to the approval of the Associate Dean (Research Education). The University must certify that there are sufficient supervisory and other resources and facilities available to enable your candidature to be completed successfully.
Language requirements
IELTS
6.5
A minimum result of 6.5 overall and a minimum result of 6.0 in each band