Doctor of Philosophy(PhD)
Research health and medicine at ANU
The Australian National University provides PhD students with a vibrant research community and outstanding program support. When selecting a research program, an institution's reputation is everything. ANU is one of the world's leading universities, and the smart choice for your research program.
As a PhD student you will work with increased independence, under the direction of a supervisory panel of experts in the field. Your research will make an original and important contribution to human knowledge, research and development.
Key facts
What you will learn
The major component of a research program is a substantial written work known as a thesis, which investigates a particular subject or issue. As a research student, you will work with increased independence, under the direction of an academic supervisor or a supervisory panel of academic staff.
A PhD will normally take you between 2-4 years to complete.
Research topics
We have a wide range of potential research topics. They range from short-term PhB projects to year-long honours and graduate projects to three-year PhD projects.
What it's like to be a research student
Forensic scientist making a positive difference
"I didn't even know what a PhD was, let alone had the confidence to think that this was something I could undertake."
From the village to the lab
PhD student Thilaga Velusamy takes us on her journey from a small village in India, to research laboratories at the John Curtin School of Medical Research.
The MD with a PhD
Danielle Butler, MD, is now graduating as a different kind of doctor—“As my colleagues at the Research School of Population Health would say, now I’m actually a real doctor!” she laughs—with her roles as clinician and researcher proving mutually beneficial.
Researcher careers
The Doctor of Philosophy is your gateway to an academic or research career in health and medicine. In addition to academia, PhD graduates work in diverse fields within government, education, industry and media.
Fees & scholarships
Tuition fees: Tuition fees
Scholarships: Scholarships
ANU offers many scholarships both to overcome disadvantage and to recognise academic merit.
How to apply
Understand the entry requirements
To be eligible to be considered for admission to a postgraduate research degree at ANU, you must hold:
- An Australian Bachelor degree with at least Second Class Honours - Upper (First Class Honours is often required) or its international equivalent, or
- Another degree with a significant research/thesis component that may be assessed as equivalent to paragraph (1), or
- A combination of qualifications, research publications and/or professional experience related to the field of study that may be assessed as equivalent to paragraph (1).
All applicants must meet the University's English Language Admission Requirements for students.
Find an academic supervisor
Prospective research students first need to identify a research project and find an academic supervisor.
Review the fields of research we offer and contact the academic convenor for advice about potential projects, supervisors, and the pre-application process. The ANU Researchers website is also a good place to start looking for a supervisor.
Email your academic supervisor directly to enquire about projects and supervision. Your email should outline the reason(s) why you are attracted to their field of research, the type of research you would like to pursue and a summary of your academic qualifications and research experience. You may also submit a short research proposal, however, this is not mandatory at this point.
The academic supervisor may contact you to discuss your research proposal and possibly other projects, or they may forward your email to other staff in the research school / centre.
Once an academic supervisor has been confirmed to support your application you may proceed to step three.
If you are not sure which area of research or supervisor matches your interest please complete an expression of interest and we will get in contact with you. Do not proceed to next step until advised.
Check available scholarships
ANU Colleges and individual research schools, offer a number of scholarships which are awarded on a merit basis. You can also talk to your academic supervisor about other sources of funding you might access to assist with living expenses and tuition fees.
Please note, international research scholarships are only awarded to outstanding students and are extremely competitive. Domestic students should be aware that if you are applying for mid-year entry your chances of obtaining scholarship funding may be greatly diminished.
Scholarship applications are included in the program application process, step four.
Submit your application
Applicants should apply online. Application for admission to a higher degree by research and scholarship is combined in the single application. All applications must include a research proposal, at least 2 referee reports and clear colour copies of your academic transcripts and graduation certificates.
Ask your referees to complete the referee report form and submit directly to ANU.
Understand the entry requirements
To be eligible to be considered for admission to a postgraduate research degree at ANU, you must hold:
- An Australian Bachelor degree with at least Second Class Honours - Upper (First Class Honours is often required) or its international equivalent, or
- Another degree with a significant research/thesis component that may be assessed as equivalent to paragraph (1), or
- A combination of qualifications, research publications and/or professional experience related to the field of study that may be assessed as equivalent to paragraph (1).
All applicants must meet the University's English Language Admission Requirements for students.
Find an academic supervisor
Prospective research students first need to identify a research project and find an academic supervisor.
Review the fields of research we offer and contact the academic convenor for advice about potential projects, supervisors, and the pre-application process. The ANU Researchers website is also a good place to start looking for a supervisor.
Email your academic supervisor directly to enquire about projects and supervision. Your email should outline the reason(s) why you are attracted to their field of research, the type of research you would like to pursue and a summary of your academic qualifications and research experience. You may also submit a short research proposal, however, this is not mandatory at this point.
The academic supervisor may contact you to discuss your research proposal and possibly other projects, or they may forward your email to other staff in the research school / centre.
Once an academic supervisor has been confirmed to support your application you may proceed to step three.
If you are not sure which area of research or supervisor matches your interest please complete an expression of interest and we will get in contact with you. Do not proceed to next step until advised.
Check available scholarships
ANU Colleges and individual research schools, offer a number of scholarships which are awarded on a merit basis. You can also talk to your academic supervisor about other sources of funding you might access to assist with living expenses and tuition fees.
Please note, international research scholarships are only awarded to outstanding students and are extremely competitive. Domestic students should be aware that if you are applying for mid-year entry your chances of obtaining scholarship funding may be greatly diminished.
Scholarship applications are included in the program application process, step four.
Submit your application
Applicants should apply online. Application for admission to a higher degree by research and scholarship is combined in the single application. A one page research proposal and three academic referee reports also need to be included. Ask your referees to complete the referee report form and submit directly to ANU.
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