Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Overview

The PhD program takes between two and four years full-time from the date of commencement and requires the completion of a thesis, in the English language, of not more than 100,000 words on an approved topic. The degree is by thesis only, however, students can opt, or be required by their supervisory panel, to take appropriate coursework courses to develop specific skills.

Staff members of the Australian Demographic and Social Research Institute provide most supervision. Supervision is also provided from outside the Institute if the student could benefit from other expertise. In some instances PhD students undertake fieldwork as a part of their research, and all contribute to the seminar series of the Australian Demographic and Social Research Institute.

By and large PhD students are encouraged to undertake independent research - choosing the topic, developing the research plan, and carrying out the analysis on their own, with advice from their supervisory panel. However, it is also possible for PhD students to become involved in large ongoing research projects, either at the ANU or in their home institution, and to take a part of those projects as the subject of their dissertation. The main goal of the PhD program is to complete a substantial piece of research that makes a real contribution to demographic knowledge and that establishes the student as a fully-fledged professional in the field.

As part of the promotion of this professionalism, the Australian Demographic and Social Research Institute encourages and provides support for PhD students to participate in national and international academic conferences, and provides opportunities to participate in the teaching activities of the Australian Demographic and Social Research Institute and the Faculties. Emphasis is on fostering both the spirit and skills needed to work independently.

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Entry Requirements

The usual minimum entrance requirement to the PhD program is an undergraduate degree of acceptable standard (First Class or Upper Second Class Honours) from a recognised university and a proven capacity for research. In practice, most PhD applicants have a Masters degree in a field related to population. Overseas applicants must satisfactorily demonstrate that they meet the University's minimum entry requirement for English. Students who have completed a Masters Degree with the Australian Demographic and Social Research Institute may apply for admission to the PhD program if they have maintained a performance of Distinction level or above and have a demonstrated aptitude for research.

Applications for admission to doctoral studies must be accompanied by a detailed research proposal on a topic of importance to the demographic field. The PhD proposal should reflect originality and potential for a substantial contribution to knowledge. Applicants are considered on their academic record, the merit of their thesis proposal, and the statements provided by referees.

Applications for entry to the PhD program can be made at any time but consideration for ANU scholarships and Endeavour International Postgraduate Research Scholarships (IPRS) is made in the second half of the calendar year. Information about deadlines for applications can be found in the Graduate School Prospectus (or the Graduate Research website), or obtained from the Administrator (students). IPRS and other international scholarship applicants should have their applications lodged by August 31. Australian applicants for Australian Postgraduate Research Awards should lodge applications by October 30 each year. All applicants are encouraged to contact the Australian Demographic and Social Research Institute well in advance of the filing dates to discuss their proposed research topics.

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How to Apply

Before submitting a full Application, potential PhD candidates are required to complete a Pre-Application Assessment form which asks for details of academic qualifications, English language proficiency, relevant work experience and the research proposal.

This should be forwarded as an expression of interest to Prof Peter McDonald (the Head of Program), and Dr Ann Evans (Convenor) for consideration at Demography.GradProg@anu.edu.au. They will review the information provided and advise on how candidates should proceed. The form and attachments can also be faxed to 61-2-6125 3031 or scanned and sent as an attachment.

Once advised that a full Application should be submitted, the procedure for entry into the PhD program involves a detailed consideration of applicants' previous research experience and proposed research to be undertaken for the PhD thesis. For this reason PhD applicants need to expand on their original research proposal, describing in more detail the topic, data sources, and methodology of their proposed project.

Information on PhD study and admission can be obtained from the Graduate Research website. Information related directly to demography can be obtained from the Administrator (Students) or the Convenor. On-line application forms for research admission are available at Study@ANU.

When applying online, you should fill in the "Search for Programs and Awards" as follows :

Academic Group: Aust Demo & Social Res Inst
Academic Career: Research
Award Type: Doctor of Philosophy

When applying on a hard copy form, you should fill in Question 9 as follows:

I am applying for Doctor of Philosophy in "Demography"
School/Centre/Faculty "CASS, ADSRI"

Further information for applicants

Applicants must submit the following materials according to the instructions on the application forms:

• A completed Application Form. There are separate forms for International and local (that is, Australian citizens and permanent residents and New Zealand citizens) applicants. Please also note that International students are required to include an Application Fee with their form. Fees are currently AU$75 for on-line and AU$100 for hard copy applications. This fee has been waived for international students who are currently enrolled in a course of study at ANU and for ANU graduates.
  

  Apply online

  Hard copy applications forms can be downloaded at http://www.anu.edu.au/sas/forms/#Admission_forms
  

• A curriculum vitae setting out the applicant's previous educational and work experience.

• A statement of the duties carried out by applicant in the course of their current or recent employment.

• Certified copies of academic transcripts for all tertiary courses attended by the applicant, giving details of all subjects undertaken and of the grades obtained in each subject.

• Provide the names and addresses of three referees qualified to speak with first-hand knowledge of the applicant's academic ability. Applicants should provide each referee with a copy of the Referee's Questionnaire and request that they submit this, along with a written report, directly to Student Records. Referees should not wait for a request from the University before submitting their documents.
  

• Where applicable, the result of an English language test (see Language Requirements below).

• PhD applicants are encouraged to attach copies of any research reports or theses they have written.

Language Requirements

You must demonstrate an adequate standard of English before you can be accepted for admission. Unless your undergraduate studies were undertaken in English in, for example, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States of America, you will normally have to sit for either:

• The International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Academic version, administered internationally by Australian Diplomatic Missions and the British Council,
  or
• The American Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) in either the paper, computer or internet based test, and the Test of Written English (TWE) or Essay Writing.

* Please note that although the ANU accepts both IELTS and TOEFL certificates, in most countries, when applying for a Student Visa only an IELTS examination certificate will be accepted by Immigration as proof of English ability. Please make enquires at your nearest Australian Embassy or High Commission for the latest requirements before undertaking an English competency test.

Minimum scores required for applicants are as follows:

Applicants who intend to undertake field studies in non-English speaking environments, may be required to demonstrate competence in the language of their field sites.

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