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PhD Social Science (Communication and Information Studies)

2009 | 2010 | 2011

Division of Education, Arts and Social Sciences | School of Communication, International Studies and Languages

Program Code: MPSC

Program Level: Postgraduate — Ph.D.

Home Campus: Magill

Program Length (in EFTSL): 4

Applications can be made online at Research Degree Apply Online.
See further information at Research degrees.

Aim

PhD programs provide training and education with the objective of producing graduates with the capacity to conduct research independently at a high level of originality and quality. By the end of the degree program, the PhD student ought to be capable of conceiving, designing and carrying to completion a research program without supervision.

The purpose of the PhD is to advance knowledge and/or the application of knowledge through the preparation of a substantial piece of work which represents a significant contribution to a particular field of study.

Academic areas

The Division accepts students in doctoral degrees by research in a large range of social science related discipline areas including:
Gender studies
Human communication
Professional communication

Entry requirements

An applicant for a place in a Doctor of Philosophy program must satisfy the Research Degrees Committee of competence to undertake a higher degree by research by:
a.  holding or being eligible to hold from an approved higher education institution an award in an
     appropriate discipline which is assessed by this University as being equivalent to:
      i.    an Honours degree or a Bachelors degree with honours of at least class 2a standard; or  
     ii.     an appropriate Masters degree; or
b.  holding such other qualifications as are acceptable to the Research Degrees Committee - in such
     cases the applicant must satisfy the Research Degrees Committee of fitness to undertake
     advanced work on the basis of the standard of achievement in, and the relevance of, previous higher
     education studies, and professional experience or published research work.

English language entry requirements for International students:

All international applicants are expected to be proficient in English comprehension and expression. Generally, for entry to a research program at UniSA, international students who speak English as a foreign language must have obtained one of the following standards:

Note 1:  Results from IELTS, University of Cambridge ESOL examinations and TOEFL are valid for two years..
Note 2:  The University, through UniSA International, maintains a list of countries where English is commonly used and which would satisfy this criterion. This may include particular educational institutions within a given non-English speaking country where English is the language of instruction.
Note 3: Where previous study/work experience was conducted in English, the application must be accompanied by certified documentation from the educational institution/employer certifying that the language of instruction/employment was English.

The program of study and research

  1. An applicant who accepts an offer of admission to a place in a Higher Degree by Research (HDR) program shall commence within the time specified in the letter of offer unless a written request for a deferment of enrolment is upheld by the Dean Research and approved by the Research Degrees Committee
  2. PhD students are enrolled provisionally until the requirements for confirmation of candidature are met. That is, within the equivalent of a maximum of six months of commencement in a higher degree by research program PhD students are required to have their research proposal approved by the relevant Dean, Research (or equivalent), including Head of School (or equivalent) approval for resource allocation to the project.
  3. Following confirmation of enrolment, a PhD student shall be re-enrolled in each calendar year following initial enrolment until all components of the degree program have been completed and the thesis is submitted for examination, or the maximum period of allocated candidature is reached, or until suspension or termination of the enrolment by the Research Degrees Committee, whichever comes first.
  4. The normal maximum length of the doctoral program will be 3.5 years full-time equivalent from the initial enrolment date. Research doctorate students are allocated a maximum of four years of full-time equivalent study to complete their degree to allow for examination results and possible resubmission
  5. A PhD student shall undertake a program of research under supervision in order to complete a thesis for examination. Unless co- or panel supervision is required, each PhD student shall have at least two supervisors appointed, one of whom shall be nominated as a Principal Supervisor and one as an Associate Supervisor. Supervisors are appointed on the basis that their research expertise is appropriate to the research outline indicated in the application.
  6. The primary role of each full-time PhD student is to work on their thesis and, for all PhD students, to complete the degree within the maximum allocated time of enrolment.
  7. An HDR student will enter into a formal Statement of Agreement with the supervisors regarding the completion of the research. This Agreement will document the expectations of the PhD student and supervisors for their responsibilities in the relationship, and outline the Research Support Activities to be undertaken for the individual research project.
  8. The research and study shall be carried out either within the University or within an industrial, commercial, government, educational, research or other organisation approved by the Dean Research (or equivalent). The University will not require a PhD student to undertake employment at the institution.
  9. The Research Degrees Committee recommends that full-time PhD students do not undertake paid employment for more than eight hours per week or for a total of the equivalent of eight hours per week over a twelve month period.

Progress of candidature

  1. A PhD student must make satisfactory progress in the research to obtain approval for annual re-enrolment in the program.
  2. A PhD student shall have the right to discuss any matter pertaining to the progress of the candidature with the Principal/Co Supervisor, the Research Degree Coordinator or the relevant Dean, Research (or equivalent), as appropriate, to resolve any impediment to that progress.
  3. Each PhD student, Principal/Co Supervisor and Research Degree Coordinator must undertake at least two documented planning and review sessions each year. These will be known as the minor review and major review respectively. These reviews are the basis on which re-enrolment or otherwise is recommended.
  4. The Statement of Agreement shall inform the review of progress. For continuing HDR students, the previous planning and review documents will be the basis of the review.
  5. Failure by an HDR student to undertake the minor and major reviews may result in suspension or termination of the candidature.
  6. For HDR students commencing after 1 January 2004, in their final year, the HDR student shall document evidence of achievement and experience in the seven areas of the Research Degree Graduate Qualities in their final review of progress.

Eligibility for the degree

If the Research Degrees Committee is of the opinion that a PhD student has satisfied the requirements for the award of the degree, it shall certify to Council that the PhD student is eligible to be admitted to the degree.

Fee information

Fees for Domestic students: RTS
Fees for Research students that have exceeded their RTS entitlement are calculated at the course level. Click on the above link to determine your fee.

Fees for International students: $AU 21,600 per 1.0 EFTSL for students commencing in 2011.
Fees are calculated on a per Unit basis with 1.0 EFTSL = 36 Units.
Fees for International students are determined one year in advance and are subject to variation.


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