PhD in Australia

Australia has an international reputation for excellent education and training and is recognised as a world leader in biomedicine, environmental science, water resource management, astronomy, nanotechnology, and Asia Pacific studies. Australian universities welcome research and PhD students from the US and Canada.

What makes an Australian PhD different?

PhDs in Australia are generally three years in length and are research-based. This means that you will not attend classes in your field of study but spend your time conducting primary research under an Australian academic's supervision. This is different from an American or Canadian PhD program where you spend time in the classroom as well as conducting research over a five to seven-year period. A PhD in Australia is shorter and more-intense. Similar to a North American PhD, a PhD in Australia culminates in a dissertation.

Some students begin a two-year research-based master's degree (MPhil) which then leads to a PhD.

Finding a PhD program in Australia

The most important consideration in finding a PhD program in Australia is the match between you, the student, and your PhD supervisor. When searching for a program, you could review academic journals within your field of study, contact academic deans' associations (e.g. Medical Deans Australia & New Zealand), ask your US or Canadian professor for contacts in Australia, or use one of the following Australian resources.

The Excellence in Research Australia or ERA is an independent assessment of the research quality at Australian universities. The 2010 Excellence in Research Australia National Report can help you determine the universities with the strongest research capabilities for your PhD in Australia.
Australia's Knowledge Gateway is a searchable database of researchers, publications and Australia's research capabilities developed by Australia's leading research universiites, the Group of Eight. You can search Australia's Knowledge Gateway by key words related to your PhD in Australia.

Funding your PhD in Australia

There are many funding opportunities available for postgraduate research, doctoral and PhD programs in Australia.

The Endeavour Postgraduate Awards provide financial support for high achieving American and Canadian students to study for a master's degree or PhD in Australia. The Endeavour Postgraduate Awards are valued at AUS$118,500 for master's by coursework or research degrees and AUS$228,500 for PhDs.
The Endeavour Research Fellowships provides financial support up to AUD$23,500 for postgraduate students and postdoctoral fellows from the US and Canada to undertake short-term research (4-6 months) towards a Masters or PhD (which they are enrolled in a participating country) or postdoctoral research in any field of study in Australia.
The International Postgraduate Research Scholarship Scheme provides financial support to high quality international postgraduate students coming to Australia to support the country’s research effort. Scholarships are funded through the Department of Innovation and administered by participating Australian universities.
The Study in Australia website offers a comprehensive scholarship database for PhD programs and research degrees in Australia.
The Joint Academic Scholarship Online Network aims to assist students wishing to pursue research and PhDs in Australia with information on funding opportunities through various scholarship programs run through universities, charitable foundations, government and private institutions.

Teaching assistantships

Teaching assistantships while you undertake your PhD in Australia are available at many universities. Teaching assistants generally assist professors with tutorials or with small seminar groups for undergraduate students. To find a teaching assistantship, you'll need to speak directly with your Australian university.