The Doctor of Philosophy program has the objective of producing graduates with the capacity to conduct research independently at a high level of originality and quality. Graduates will demonstrate a capacity to design, conduct and report sustained and original research. While the research is conducted under a supervisor, students are expected to demonstrate the ability to work independently.

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. Candidates undertake research, which may be pure, exploratory, applied, experimental and/or creative, and are required to submit a written research thesis or a written research thesis including associated papers. 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.

The Doctor of Philosophy (DR-INTHAS) program is part of a combined set of programs that offer students a pathway into a higher degree by research from an undergraduate degree. Prior to undertaking the Doctor of Philosophy (DR-INTHAS), students must complete a  (BH-INTHAS) and Master of Research [Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences] (MR-INTHAS).

To be eligible for admission into the Doctor of Philosophy (DR-INTHAS) course, an applicant must have successfully completed:

• Master of Research (MR-INTHAS) at Swinburne with a minimum H2A average (70% or higher)
• Confirmation of Candidature Review

Students applying to the Doctor of Philosophy (DR-INTHAS) will automatically be considered for a place in the Bachelor of Research (Honours) (BH-INTHAS) and Master of Research (MR-INTHAS) do not need to apply separately for these programs.