Doctor of Philosophy
Throughout this Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Society and Culture you will work with a principal supervisor to refine and complete a comprehensive research project.
Course essentials
Entry requirements
Credit
A full-time study load is 120 credits a year (usually four 15-credit units each semester). 120 credits equal one equivalent full-time student load (EFTSL). Each credit point equals about 10 hours of learning, so a 15-credit unit means roughly 150 hours.
Study mode
Study modes tell you how teaching and learning will be delivered for your course and include where and when classes can be scheduled, what you'll do and the tech you'll use.
Online
Duration
Start dates
01 January 2027
Locations
Camp St (on campus)
Gippsland (on campus)
Mt Helen (on campus)
Online
Course overview
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is an elite higher degree qualification completed solely by research. Graduates at this level will have systemic and critical understanding of a substantial and complex body of knowledge at the frontier of a discipline or area of professional practice.
Undertaken over four years of full-time study, the PhD enables a candidate to create authoritative capabilities for independent research, demonstrated through the completion of a substantial thesis, or creative works with exegesis. Throughout their research journey, the candidate works closely with a supervisory team who provide academic guidance and support.
Candidates in this course would undertake a research project within the broad area of society and culture.
Intending students should first familiarise themselves with staff supervision, then contact the staff in the relevant area to informally discuss research ideas. Staff will then advise on proceedings regarding formal applications for the course and scholarships.
IT requirements
To do this course you’ll need a fast and reliable computer and access to high-speed internet. Expect to use about 5GB of data per month for every unit you’re doing. Find out more about the minimum IT requirements for studying with us.
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Student support
The support we offer is second to none. Need academic help? No problem. Extra access or financial assistance? Let’s see what we can do. View our student services.
The fine print
The commencement of all courses is subject to available funding and enrolment quotas.
Everything in this course overview is correct at the time of being published. However, the University reserves the right to alter any course, procedure or fee. Please check for changes before you apply or enrol.
Federation University uses Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding (for eligible students) to deliver training.
School department
Graduate Research School
Course co-ordinator
Andrew Barton
Career paths
The course creates opportunities for advanced and independent professional practice in careers that entail complex research and in a variety of academic, industry, community and government settings.
Fees and scholarships
Tuition fee information
Full fee-paying places are not subsidised by the Australian Government. The indicative fee above is based on a typical first-year enrolment for this course and should be used as a guide only. Your fee will depend on your study load, the time it takes to complete your course and any approved credit you receive.
How it’s calculated
The amount is based on the course annual fee for 1 EFTSL (120 credit points). For 0.5 EFTSL (60 credit point) courses, the certificate fee is displayed.
Other fees
You will also need to pay the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).
Fee assistance
Domestic students undertaking a higher degree by research may be eligible to receive a Research Training Program (RTP) funded place.
Scholarships
There’s a range of scholarships and grants available. Find out what you can apply for.
Course details
Start dates
Anytime during the year (2026)
1 January 2026
Locations
Berwick (on campus)
Camp St (on campus)
Gippsland (on campus)
Mt Helen (on campus)
Online
Anytime during the year (2027)
1 January 2027
Locations
Berwick (on campus)
Camp St (on campus)
Gippsland (on campus)
Mt Helen (on campus)
Online
Information
- Our Mt Helen, SMB, Camp St and Gillies St campuses are located in Ballarat.
- Online learning is only an option if you’re not studying on an international student visa.
Contact hours
Expect to put in at least 38 hours per week (full time) or 19 hours per week (part time).
Elective
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Entry requirements
To be eligible for admission as a candidate for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy an applicant must:
- possess a degree that is the equivalent to an AQF Bachelor degree with Honours with first class or second class, first division, for entry to a PhD or at least third class honours for entry to a Masters by Research, or
- possess a Masters degree with a relevant research component that is equivalent to a Masters degree from Federation University and an equivalent result as outlined above, or
- submit other evidence of relevant qualifications and experience, or research experience, to confirm that the applicant possesses a level of relevant research experience and capacity equivalent to an award in either point above, and
- satisfy such additional requirements for admission to a PhD candidature, if any, as may be prescribed by the Graduate Research School Board
English language requirements
Academic IELTS of 6.5 overall with no band less than 6.0; or equivalent
Extra requirements
If you’re only applying for this course, do it via direct application.
Ready to fill out your application?
You'll need this code:
Direct application
Federation University code
- Direct application
- Yes
- Federation University code
- SO0
Hear from our students
Hi, my name is Mitchell. I'm a third-year criminology student at Federation Berwick. I chose to study criminology and criminal justice because I was interested in law but I wasn't overly sure if I was going to do a law based degree. So my careers counsellor at school advised me about Federation and knowing that me as a student struggled with the bigger classrooms, Federation offers a better learning environment with smaller classrooms and a more personal appropriate teachers and that's something that I think has really helped me develop as a student. I'm also a student ambassador which helps me to create a more personal relationship with my teachers where we have a first name basis and they understand who I am as a student, which allows them to obviously provide better opportunities for me to learn and grow. And a fun fact about me is that I play basketball Federation in the Nationals team, so we go to the Gold Coast to play basketball.