The PhD Program (PhD in Physics)

The Doctorate Program (PhD Physics):

The approximately 3 and a half year PhD in Physics program is based purely on research. There are no required subjects. Key milestones in the program are: (1) Candidacy: There is a progress review at the end of your first year. This consists of a presentation, short report, and a Q&A session with the candidacy committee (composed of three to four faculty members). If you are on-track, you become a PhD candidate. (2) Annual reviews: There continue to be annual reviews of your progress and any issues that have arisen with your candidacy committee each year, (3) Thesis: At the end of your PhD program, you submit a thesis documenting your PhD research that is reviewed by an international panel of experts in your field.

Choosing a research project and supervisor:  Before submitting a PhD application, you must liaise with your planned supervisor about your planned PhD project. In most cases, this is your MSc supervisor, but there are exceptions if you are coming from a different institution or decide to change your research focus.  We have listed (very!) brief project ideas for each research area under the Research link. If you are interested in an area and would like to know more, please contact the faculty member directly.

If you are applying internationally, the first step in applying for the PhD program is to send your CV, transcripts, evidence of English proficiency (if required), and an indication of your research interests to Physics-GR@unimelb.edu.au. They will suggest some potential supervisors. No one is admitted to the PhD program without a supervisor.

Funding: All of our PhD students receive a stipend sufficient to support them over the course of their PhD. This also comes with a tuition fee waiver. There can be supplementary scholarships and awards on top of this, and (with permission of their PhD supervisor), PhD students often supplement their income while developing their teaching abilities by acting as tutors in undergraduate or graduate subjects.