Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Faculty of Engineering and Science

Doctor of Philosophy

• Engineering

Faculty of Business

Doctor of Philosophy

• Business and Administration

Faculty of Humanities

Doctor of Philosophy

• Humanities

The aims, objectives and learning outcomes are as follows:

Aims: Graduates will have undertaken a programme of independent supervised study that produces significant and original research outcomes culminating in a thesis for independent examination by at least two external expert examiners of international standing.

Objectives: The research in the programme of learning will be conducted over a period of at least two year and typically this will constitute two-thirds or more of the qualification. The programme may also include advanced coursework or training to enhance the capacity of the student to make a significant contribution to knowledge in the discipline studied.

Learning outcomes: As demonstrated in the AQF level 10 criteria and MQF doctoral level 8:

       At the end of the programme, graduates should be able to:

1. Demonstrate a critical and in-depth understanding of frontier knowledge by generating substantial and original contributions to a field and/or practice;
2. Synthesise existing and new knowledge in one or more discipline areas to develop new concepts or interpretations or applications;
3. Conduct rigorous and independent research or investigation with minimal supervision;
4. Demonstrate intellectual leadership qualities and management skills;
5. Perform research adhering to legal, ethical, professional and sustainable practices;
6. Communicate cogently in the field/s and interact with specialist and general audience;
7. Select and use suitable digital and analytical techniques to research problems; and
8. Demonstrate commitment to lifelong learning and personal development.

Academic Qualifications

• Graduated with or qualified for the award of the degree of Bachelor with First Class Honours (CGPA of 3.67 or higher) or Upper Second Class Honours (CGPA≥ 3.0)*** in the field or related fields within Curtin University which includes the completion of a supervised research dissertation project carrying the equivalent credit of at least 25 percent of an annual full-time load; (***Candidate having Upper Second-Class Honours could be considered for a Doctoral direct entry upon demonstration of research competencies as verified and deemed by the Academic Board at Curtin University Malaysia)  or
• Graduated with or qualified for the award of the degree of Master of Philosophy or Master of Research in the field or related fields within Curtin University which includes the completion of a publically available thesis; or
• Graduated with or qualified for the award of the degree Master by Coursework in the field or related fields within Curtin University, and the completion of a research dissertation project carrying the equivalent credit of at least 25 percent of an annual full-time load and which has been awarded an assessed result at or above distinction level; or
•  Graduated with or qualified for the award of the degree Master by Coursework at or above distinction level in the field or related fields within Curtin University, and the completion of substantive and relevant research experience which can be evidenced in at least one of the following forms: (1) substantial scholarly papers as sole or primary author, appearing in recognised academic journals or in volumes published by recognised academic publishers; (2) published research reports prepared for industry, government or business, which adhere to the broad conventions of academic publishing and which identify the applicant as sole or primary author; (3) a portfolio of creative work with a published critical discussion of that work, which demonstrates the applicant’s development of a scholarly approach to creative work as research investigation, for which the application is identified as sole or primary author; or

• Obtained qualifications from another institution which are recognised by tertiary admission authorities in   Australia and which are deemed to be equivalent to any of the above four criteria.

**Candidates without a qualification in the related fields or relevant working experience must undergo appropriate prerequisite courses determined by the University.

English Requirements

All courses at Curtin University Malaysia are taught in English. Therefore, applicants are required to satisfy Curtin University’s English language proficiency requirement for postgraduate coursework and Higher Degree by Research courses through one of the following ways:

1. Tertiary degree studies undertaken in Australia

Successful completion of one semester full-time (equivalent to 0.5 EFTSL) of an undergraduate or postgraduate degree level study at a recognised University in Australia.

2. Tertiary degree studies taught in English outside Australia

a). Successful completion of at least one semester full-time or equivalent of an undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degree level study at a recognised University in  New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, United Kingdom; or

b). Successful completion of at least one year full-time or equivalent of an undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degree level study at a recognised University in Canada, Singapore, South Africa or United States of America; or

c). Successful completion of an undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degree from a recognised overseas University, assessed by Curtin University as comparable to the educational level of an Australian Bachelor or Master Degree in which Curtin University recognised English is the sole language of instruction*.

*Internal Assessment notes:

1) Use the World Higher Education Database (WHED) to retrieve the language of instruction. Exceptions apply, see details below.

2) Except for European countries, if the language of instruction listed in the Diploma Supplement is English, we accept this information over WHED as it is at course level.

3) Assumption University, Thailand, English is the medium of instruction for all courses except for Undergraduate Law degree.

3. Undertake an approved English proficiency test.

Any one of the tests in the following table can also be accepted as satisfying Curtin University Malaysia’s English language requirement:

*Results for IELTS and TOEFL are valid for two years.

Applicants who do not meet the above requirement (or qualifications not listed above) will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and provided with alternative pathways where necessary.

Completion of a bachelor degree course in which English was the language of instruction is also considered as meeting the English language requirement. Each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Enrolment in the PhD shall be for a minimum period of two (2) years and a maximum period of four (4) years for full-time study, or a minimum of four (4) years and a maximum period of eight (8) years for part-time study. However, international candidates must enroll as a full-time student.

Remarks. For PhD students under Curtin Malaysia Postgraduate Scholarship (CMPRS), the full scholarships are only awarded for three years. Scholarship extensions (tuition fee waiver only) of 2 x 3 months may be granted subject to good progress of the project and approval from CMGS. Therefore, these students are strongly recommended to complete their programmes within three years. Otherwise, students and/or their supervisor may have to provide the tuition fee and stipend on their own in the fourth year.

For PhD students under external grants, such as FRGS, SMA, SRDC, etc,  the grant is generally valid for max three years. Therefore, the tuition fee waiver  duration will only cover until the grant end date. Consequently, these students are also strongly encouraged to graduate within three years. Tuition fee waiver extensions of 2 x 3 months may be granted subject to good progress of the project and approval from Chair of CMGSC. Otherwise, they may have to be self-funded for the tuition fee and stipend in the fourth year.

Consumables Support

HDR Consumables Reimbursable Items List (subject to prior approval from CMGS)

•  Expenses related to fieldwork/research data collection;
• Transcription from interviews, and translation services;
• Lab consumables purchased through an approved University provider (where not provided by the Enrolling Area);
• Workshops and training courses (including registration, travel, accommodation and living);
  Specialist textbooks/manuals, journals (where not readily available in the Curtin Library);
• Phone costs – Purchase of phone cards for participation calls to survey recipients (where access to a Curtin phone is not available);
• Thesis binding, editing and proof-reading costs;
• Incentives for research/survey participants on the express written permission (email) of the supervisor (this will never include tobacco or alcohol);
• Creative production costs – e.g. Art and design equipment and supplies (inclusive of set design, technical support, post-production/editing, studio hire, film/developing);
• Travel for off-campus students to supervisory meetings (this may extend to travel interstate or overseas where relevant);
• Specialist software (project specific);
• Safety equipment (project specific);
• Other miscellaneous costs as approved by CMGS

Curtin Malaysia Postgraduate Research Studentship (CMPRS)

An awardee will receive a stipend of RM2,100 per month and fee waiver for a period of 3 years. In return, awardees are expected to contribute a maximum of 4 hours of teaching load per week and learning and teaching (L&T) activities during the semesters.

Partial Fee Waiver and/or Partial Stipend

Please contact GradSchool@curtin.edu.my for the details

Other Scholarships and Financial Aid

Please contact Loans and Scholarship Office (Student Service Department).

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Each research student joins one of the vibrant research communities based on the chosen research area. You can find more information regarding research areas by visiting the relevant academic area:

Faculty of Engineering and Science

Associate Professor Dr. John Lau Sie Yon
Associate Dean, Research & Development
Email: johnlsy@curtin.edu.my

Faculty of Business

Dr Tiong Ying Ying
Associate Dean, Research & Development
Email: tiongyingying@curtin.edu.my

Faculty of Humanities & Health Sciences

Professor Dr. Roy Rillera Marzo
Dean, Faculty of Humanities & Health Sciences
Email: roy.marzo@curtin.edu.my