Postgraduate Research – PhD and MPhil
What is a PhD/MPhil?
PhD: 3.5-4 years full-time program performing independent research supported by a supervisory team (typically two ʹڲƱ academics, one main supervisor, one co-supervisor).
MPhil: 1.5-2 years full-time program performing independent research supported by a supervisory team (typically two ʹڲƱ academics, one main supervisor, one co-supervisor). The scope/depth of the research is less than for a PhD.
In both cases the research achievements are documented in a final PhD/MPhil thesis as original and independent work of publishable quality.
What are the benefits of PhD/MPhil – Career prospects
Higher degree/postgraduate study prepares students for diverse careers including:
- Industry – research, new technologies, product development
- Start-up companies
- Consulting
- Policy making
- CSIRO and other national labs like ANSTO
- Academic career – postdoctoral researcher or research assistant (career path towards university lecturer, professor, etc)
Additional benefits include:
- Attain accreditation and obtain advanced degree
- Hone professional skills such as communication, negotiation, etc
- Potential to earn a higher salary
- Develop new competencies and change career
- Potential to make an impact and solve global issues facing the world
It is a common misconception that a PhD program will only prepare you for an academic career such as “becoming a university professor”. The career and learning prospects go far beyond this.
Postgraduate studies will provide you with a number of unique and important skills such as the ability to think critically, effectively work in teams, assess a problem in the context of the wider body of knowledge, produce original solutions independently, communicate and articulate solutions, and learn/absorb new knowledge quickly.