- Duration
- Full-time: 3 to 4 years
- Part-time: 6 to 8 years
- Available locations
- City, Grafton, Newmarket, Overseas
- Points
- 120 points per year of full-time study
- Programme type
- Doctorate
Programme overview
The University of Auckland PhD is a globally recognised postgraduate research degree, available in over 100 different subjects. Candidates will undertake independent and original research, supervised by academic experts and research leaders.
During your doctoral studies, you will have opportunities to expand and develop your personal, professional and academic skills. Our doctoral candidates present their work at local and international conferences, and are encouraged to network and collaborate with a wide range of experts in their research field.
All of our doctoral policies and guidelines governing PhD study, including the PhD statute, are available in Doctoral policies and guidelines.
If you are looking for PhD study in a subject not listed here, it may be available under a different title. For more information, please contact a postgraduate adviser in the relevant faculty.
Programme structure
The University of Auckland PhD is a three-to-four year full-time advanced research degree.
On entry to the PhD programme, you will be enrolled provisionally. By the end of your first year, you must meet a number of milestones to be confirmed into the PhD programme, including developing a full thesis proposal. After confirmation, you will continue to work on your research before submitting your thesis for examination after three years and within four years of your start date. The examination process includes an oral exam.
Part-time enrolment is available for New Zealand students, in which case provisional enrolment lasts for 24 months, and you must submit your full thesis for examination no earlier than 6 years, and within 8 years, of your start date.
As part of your PhD study, you have access to our doctoral skills workshops and resources, designed to help you achieve success in your research and develop skills for your future. We have a dedicated postgraduate careers advisor, and our library service includes research services advisers to help you in your research. The central School of Graduate Studies provides dedicated support and advice for the doctoral community.
For international students, your visa conditions will generally stipulate that you must be enrolled for full-time PhD study.
It may be possible for candidates to undertake a PhD including scholarly creative work and/or publications that they worked on while under supervision for their PhD. For information on including scholarly creative work in a PhD, see the PhD including scholarly creative work policy and procedures. To read the rules about including publications in a PhD, see the Doctoral thesis policy and procedures.
To read the rules about including publications in your PhD, see Doctoral Candidates– including publications in a thesis policy and procedures.
Where could this programme take you?
Our PhD graduates are successful in a wide range of fields and careers, as well as the traditional academic research career path. The PhD gives you extensive specialist and transferable skills, which are sought after in many sectors, including industry and government, and can even help you to develop entrepreneurship skills to run your own start up. With focused development opportunities available throughout your PhD study, and dedicated postgraduate career advice, we can help you to explore and meet your own career goals, no matter what direction you take.
Student career planning service
Once you become a student at the University, you can get help with planning and developing your career from Career Development and Employability Services.
Do you need help?
Can’t find the answer in AskAuckland?
Need to speak to someone?
You can phone us directly.
- Auckland
- 923 5025
- Outside Auckland
- 0800 61 62 63
- International
- +64 9 373 7513