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Student at the Cass field station examining a plant with a hand lens
Student at the Cass field station examining a plant with a hand lens
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Topic

Doctorate (PhD)

29 July 2025

This high-level degree prepares you for an academic, research or scientific leadership career, and the skills you gain are sought after in the international job market.

HOW TO APPLY

In Biological Sciences this is a research-only degree that typically requires three to four years of study. Completing a doctorate is a mark of academic achievement and requires self-discipline and commitment.

The research project allows you to personalise your research to follow your interests and develop your skills in your chosen field, with laboratory, computer-based and fieldwork all possible.

Your research output will be a thesis document and typically published scientific papers.

Entry Requirement

  • BSc (Hons) or MSc with a B+ average (GPA 6).

Things you need to know

  • Entry is competitive and grades do not guarantee acceptance into the degree programme.
  • UC and external doctoral scholarships are available for domestic and international students. For more information seeUC scholarships.
  • You need to arrange a supervisor and decide on a research project. You are welcome to contact academic staff directly, either in person or via email.
  • A detailed research proposal must be submitted and accepted within six months of beginning your PhD.
  • After 12 months there will be a Doctoral Confirmation where we will confirm that you a capable of undertaking a PhD, that you understand the science behind the project and that you have begun to make significant progress towards you PhD.
  • Progress reports are due every 6 months.

A full description of PhD processes and milestones, including how to apply and all forms, is available from UC'spostgraduate web pages.

Choosing a research topic

This requires careful thought, so begin the process as soon as you can.

Keep in mind, supervisors can only take on a finite number of students so if you want to work with a particular person, approach them early.

Find a research topic that is of interest to you and a supervisor well in advance of scholarship application due dates.

Scholarships are highly competitive so make sure you begin the application process several months in advance of the due dates to give you time to put together a great application.

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