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Submit your application along with your research proposal, CV, academic referee reports, academic transcripts and other supporting documents such as identification and evidence of residency status. Applications are made via the University’s online application portal.

Postgraduate program

The School of Mathematics and Statistics offers Higher Degree by Research (HDR) programs leading to the degrees of Doctor of Philosophy (Science) and Master of Philosophy (Science).

The School also offers the Master of Mathematical Sciences degree, and the units of study STAT5002 and STAT5003 form part of the Master of Information Technology .

NEW in 2024 In 2024 the Master of Data Analytics will be offered for the first time. This fully online course offers a breadth of data analytics knowledge, covering a multitude of qualitative and quantitative data research methods and their applications across industries, including business, health care, architecture, and political science.

For current and newly enrolled postgraduate students

Students should read the "School of Mathematics and Statistics higher degree by research procedures" document.

Please note that HDR candidatures and examinations of theses are managed by the HDR Administration Centre (HDRAC). To find detailed information on important matters such as:

• enrolment, research periods and census dates,
• compulsory HDR units of study: Work, Health and Safety (WHS), Responsible Research Practice, and Human Ethics,
• supervisory arrangements, in particular, requesting to change a supervisor,
• Faculty milestones: research plan, research seminar, first year report, intermediate research presentation, final research report,
• research progress: progress plan, first-year integrity check, annual progress review (APR),
• financial support for travel to attend conferences, workshops, and summer/winter schools through the Postgraduate Research Support Scheme (PRSS),
• travel insurance policy,
• requesting leave of absence or suspension from your research,
• recommencing of your studies after suspension,
• applying for an extension of candidature,
• preparation of your thesis and thesis composition,
• thesis submission procedure,
• examination process and outcomes,
• final thesis lodgement and graduation ceremony.

Degree entry requirements: Doctor of Philosophy (Science)

Applicants for a PhD (Science) program MUST hold a Master's degree or a Bachelor's degree with First Class Honours from the University of Sydney or an equivalent qualification from another university or institution. Further information about applications for admission, applications for scholarship, fees and deadlines for domestic and international students can be found on the Sydney Courses Doctor of Philosophy webpage.

Degree entry requirements: Master of Philosophy (Science)

Applicants for a MPhil (Science) program should hold a Bachelor's degree or an equivalent qualification. Further information about applications for admission, applications for scholarship, fees and deadlines for domestic and international students can be found on the Sydney Courses Master of Philosophy webpage.

Degree entry requirements: Graduate Diploma in Science

The Graduate Diploma in Science provides an alternate entry qualification for PhD. It is identical in content to the Honours (4th year) course and is available to candidates who are not eligible to enrol in that course, usually because of their background in Mathematics or Statistics from outside the University of Sydney. Graduate Diploma is a full fee-paying course. Further information about applications and fees can be found on the Sydney Courses Graduate Diploma in Science webpage.

Scholarships

• domestic students have to submit two separate applications: the PhD/MPhil application and the scholarship application,
• international students only click the relevant box in their PhD/MPhil application.

Study abroad and student exchange

Study abroad and student exchange are the two main program options for students enrolled at international universities and looking to study at the University of Sydney as part of their degree.

• As an exchange student you remain enrolled full time at your home institution while you attend the University of Sydney. While you are in Sydney you will continue to pay your usual tuition fees and other student fees to your home institution. A student from the University of Sydney will do the same in reverse, and the result is an exchange of students and places.
• Study abroad is a separate program from student exchange and involves a student enrolling and paying fees directly to the University of Sydney. There is no reciprocal exchange agreement.

Enquiries about postgraduate study in the School should be directed to the School's Coordinator of Postgraduate Studies Associate Professor Zsuzsanna Dancso by email [email protected] .

Mathematics and Statistics at Sydney

The School of Mathematics and Statistics offers a postgraduate program that is varied and flexible, catering for students of many different backgrounds. The School supports a policy of active research and insists on the highest standards of academic achievement. At present, the School consists of four research groups: Applied Mathematics, Mathematical Statistics, Nonlinear Analysis and Pure Mathematics. The Pure Mathematics group is further divided into three subgroups: algebra, computational algebra, and analysis, geometry & topology.

The School holds regular seminars, workshops and conferences that ensure that its members stay abreast of latest developments. It also supports an active program of long term and short term visits by distinguished international academics.

The School has all the facilities of a well established and progressive teaching and research institution, including a modern library and an extensive computer network of workstations. In addition the network supports a number of high-speed processors and colour graphics systems. A wide variety of software packages is available including Magma (developed in the School), Spida, S-plus, Reduce, Mathematica and Matlab.

The School is proud of its postgraduate students. Our research students are a valuable resource and the School is committed to providing them with excellent research facilities and office space in which to work. Some financial aid is available to students to allow them to attend relevant conferences and workshops. Further support is offered in the form of part-time teaching, assignment and examination marking.

Sydney and the University

Sydney is the oldest and largest city in Australia, and the capital of New South Wales. The city has a population of over four million and operates as an international centre for commerce, finance and the arts for the Asia-Pacific region. Sydney is well known for its great natural scenic beauty, beaches and climate, as well as its high quality of life.

The University of Sydney, established in 1850, is the oldest of all the universities in Australia. It has nine colleges of residence for students and visiting scholars. It has two theatres, an art gallery, several museums and a thriving cultural life in all facets of the arts. For the physically active there is a wide range of sports facilities, including a covered full-size olympic pool, tennis and squash courts, two sporting ovals, gymnasiums, sports instructors and physiotherapists. Every effort is also made to accommodate the physically impaired.

The diversity of courses and degrees the University offers is unequalled in the country. It provides a lively and challenging environment in which to pursue all aspects of academic life.

The Australian academic year begins in late February. It is divided into two semesters with a winter break of about three weeks from mid-June through to mid-July. Coursework programs finish at the end of November.

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• Master of Philosophy

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Admission requirements Supervision Time limits

Doctor of Philosophy Our research and current research projects

The degree of Doctor of Philosophy is a University degree governed by Resolutions set down by the Academic Board. Candidates should be familiar with the Academic Board documents:

• University of Sydney (Higher Degree by Research) Rule 2011 , and
• Thesis and Examination of Higher Degree by Research Policy 2015 .

The most recent versions of these rules are found the Policy Register . The degree of Doctor of Philosophy is a research degree awarded for a thesis considered to be a substantial and original contribution to knowledge. The successful completion of some coursework to support the development of research skills and improve understanding of research methods may be required as part of candidature but in no case does it constitute a major component of the degree.

A preliminary research proposal outlining the topic or area of study, the likely research method and the argument for conducting the proposed research will need to be attached to the application, however, we strongly recommend that you discuss the proposed research project with an academic member of staff before making your application. Guidance on preparing a research proposal or finding a research supervisor may also be obtained by contacting the Postgraduate Coordinator at Sydney Nursing School.

PhD students are expected to work independently with guidance from at least two academic supervisors. Students will be required to present their work to colleagues and peers, a minimum of three times during their candidature, in general addressing the key candidature milestones of scoping and developing the project, refining the methodology and method, and communicating the findings of their research.

All PhD students are expected to communicate regularly with their agreed research supervisors and attend the research workshops and seminars that are held at regular intervals during each year and to participate in the annual Sydney Nursing School Research Week and to actively participate in an annual progress review and interview process.

Admission requirements

Applicants should hold one of the following to be eligible for an offer of enrolment: - a bachelor's degree with first or upper-second-class honours, OR - a research master’s degree OR - a master's coursework degree with a significant research component, and considerable work-related research experience &/or research publications OR - an advanced learning master’s degree (60 credit points) awarded by Sydney Nursing School, having achieved within the degree a minimum of a credit level for 12 credit points of research training related coursework and a minimum of a distinction level for the 12 credit point Capstone (Research) unit of study.

Time limits

Candidates can proceed on a full- or part-time basis. The normal maximum length of candidature would be three to four years for full-time students and six to eight years for part –time students.

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ABN:  15 211 513 464. CRICOS Number:  00026A. Phone:  +61 2 9351 2222.

Authorised by:  Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education).

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PhD Scholarships

Our PhD Scholarship program offers students funding to work alongside some of the world’s leading quantum researchers and gain industry-ready skills.

PhD Scholarship: Key dates

Open date: 10 April 2024

Close date: 15 May 2024

Use the link below to apply for the SQA PhD and/or the SQA Partnership PhD Scholarship.

Ensure that you have reviewed the conditions of award and the application guidelines in the table below.

Not ready to apply in this round? Sign up to our mailing list to hear about future scholarships rounds.

Be part of world-leading quantum research 

Are you passionate about conducting innovative research in the field of quantum science and technology? The following PhD Scholarships are available:

SQA PhD scholarship: These scholarships are for outstanding international and domestic students to collaborate with a team of leading researchers on innovative research at one of our partner universities: Macquarie University*, UNSW Sydney, the University of Sydney, and the University of Technology Sydney*. Includes participation in our exclusive PhD Experience Program.

SQA Partnership PhD scholarship : These scholarships are for outstanding international and domestic students to undertake research projects co-designed and supervised by researchers from UNSW Sydney and CSIRO. Includes participation in our exclusive PhD Experience Program.

Both of these scholarships offer exclusive access to the SQA PhD Experience Program  connecting you with a vibrant community of fellow quantum PhD students across Sydney. Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to undertake coursework at our partner universities, and participate in training, exclusive seminars and workshops designed to give you a competitive edge in the future quantum workforce. You’ll also network with the brightest minds in quantum research and enjoy career development opportunities within academia and related industries.

*The SQA PhD scholarship aims to address gender imbalance among students pursuing a career in quantum technology. Therefore, for reasons of building greater diversity, scholarship places at Macquarie University and University of Technology Sydney will be reserved for students who identify as women.

If you are a domestic student, you may also be eligible to apply for the Next Generation Quantum Graduates Program Scholarship (NGQGP).

Here’s why our scholarships stand out:

Expert supervisors.

Our partner universities are home to over 100 leading quantum researchers who have made breakthrough discoveries across quantum disciplines and applications.

Cutting-edge Facilities

Access state-of-the-art labs and equipment, providing an optimal environment for your research.

Exclusive access to our PhD Experience Program

Our PhD Experience Program is designed to expand  quantum knowledge and provide career development through exclusive workshops, seminars, and a range of coursework offerings across our partner universities.

Vibrant PhD student community

Discover boundless opportunities and camaraderie within our vibrant student community. Connect with peers and academics from our partner universities and cultivate enduring friendships at our organised events throughout the year.

Strong Industry Partnerships

Collaborate with industry leaders, enhancing practical applications and real-world impact.

Startup Incubator

Our universities foster innovation , creating an ecosystem where quantum-related start-ups thrive.

How do I find a supervisor and/or project?

For SQA PhD Scholarship:  Explore our quantum research opportunities to find a research project that sparks your interest or search our database of Sydney Quantum Experts to find a potential supervisor for your research area of interest. For more guidance, view our guide on ' How to apply for a quantum PhD in Sydney .

For SQA Partnership PhD Scholarship:  Discover the research projects that are available. You will need a relevant research proposal for one of these projects and an endorsement from the specific research supervisor.

What our PhD students say

Hear from our PhD Scholarship students on the benefits of being part of the Sydney quantum community. Read more student stories.

SQA PhD candidate at Macquarie University

"SQA has something that most places are lacking – this peer network" said Riddhi Ghosh. "This was very helpful when I moved to Australia. Most of the friends I had for the first one and a half years were from SQA."

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Working at the intersection of light and matter 

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What it's like to study a PhD in quantum technology

Watch the video to hear from our PhD Scholarship students on the benefits of being part of the Sydney quantum community.

Watch now of the video What it's like to study a PhD in quantum technologyl

How to apply for a quantum PhD in Sydney

If you ’re excited  to pursue a quantum PhD at one of our partner universities, we’ve developed a helpful guide on how to apply. It’s full of important information that you need to know before applying for your SQA PhD Scholarship.

To be eligible for an SQA PhD Scholarship, you need to apply for or be enrolled in a full-time PhD program at one of our partner universities.

Application details

What do the scholarships offer.

SQA PhD Scholarship:

This scholarship is funded by the New South Wales Government and our partner universities.

There are four streams of the SQA PhD Scholarship, each offering the following:

Stream 1: The SQA Primary Scholarship

• A stipend worth AU$37,684 (2024 rate) per annum (pro rata) for the period of the recipient’s PhD candidature, for a maximum of 4 years (full-time equivalent). The stipend will be reviewed at the end of each year.
• International tuition fees waived for international recipients. Other fees for international recipients, such as visas costs or overseas health cover, may also be covered at the discretion of the University and will be advised at the time of offer.
• Entry to the  SQA PhD Experience Program . Completion of the program is required.
• Access to SQA career development funding.

Stream 2: The SQA Supplementary Scholarship 

• A small stipend top-up worth the difference of the recipient’s primary PhD stipend and the SQA Primary Scholarship (pro rata and reviewed annually) for the period of their primary PhD stipend.
• International tuition fees waived or covered for international recipients for any period not covered by their primary PhD stipend scholarship. Other fees for international recipients, such as visas costs or overseas health cover, may also be covered at the discretion of the University and will be advised at the time of offer.
• A stipend extension will be applied at the end of your primary PhD stipend, taking your total candidature to a maximum of 4 years. The funding amount provided will be the SQA rate at that time and will be at least equivalent to your university stipend rate.

Stream 3: The SQA Supplementary Extension Scholarship

• This scholarship is a stipend extension that will be applied at the end of your primary PhD stipend, taking your total candidature to a maximum of 4 years. The funding amount provided will be the SQA rate at that time and will be at least equivalent to your University stipend rate.

Stream 4: The SQA PhD Experience Program Scholarship

• Non-stipend scholarship
• Entry to the  SQA PhD Experience Program .
• Access to SQA career development funding (subject to availability).

SQA Partnership PhD Scholarship :

This scholarship is funded by CSIRO and supported by SQA, and offers:

• A stipend of at least AU$37,684 p.a.
• A training allowance.

Am I eligible?

SQA PhD Scholarship and SQA Partnership Scholarships: 

• Domestic students include Australian citizens, permanent residents, a person entitled to stay in Australia, or to enter and stay in Australia, without any limitation as to time and a New Zealand citizen.
• International students must either hold or be able to obtain a valid visa for the duration of the specified term upon being awarded the scholarship.
• You must be a student who has commenced or is due to commence your PhD studies from Jan 2024 - October 2024. International students may also commence in the first half of 2025. Students who commenced in 2023 or prior are not eligible.

SQA PhD Scholarship: 

• You are expected to apply for or be enrolled in a full-time PhD program at an SQA partner university. PhD projects must be in a field related to quantum technology. Please note you will not be offered an SQA PhD scholarship unless you have a PhD offer of admission.
• You must have the support of an academic staff member at one of the partner universities. To help you find a potential supervisor, view our list of the  latest quantum research opportunities  or search our  Sydney Quantum Expert list . For more guidance, view our guide on ' How to apply for a quantum PhD in Sydney .

Stream 1: The SQA Primary Scholarship:

• You must not hold another primary PhD stipend scholarship (for example, a Research Training Program (RTP) or equivalent scholarship).

Stream 2: The SQA Supplementary Scholarship: 

• You must hold, or have an offer to hold, a primary PhD stipend scholarship (for example, a Research Training Program (RTP) or equivalent scholarship).

Stream 3: T he SQA Supplementary Extension Scholarship:

• Your primary PhD stipend scholarship must be of a length less than 4 years (full-time equivalent).

Stream 4: The SQA PhD Experience Program Scholarship:

• You can be a student at any stage of your PhD at an SQA partner university, although you must have at least an unconditional offer of admission at the time of application. We strongly recommend you apply after you are already enrolled.

SQA Partnership PhD Scholarship

• Before submitting your application, it's essential to secure the support of the project supervisor. Please refer to the list of projects and supervisors associated with this scholarship.
• You must not hold another primary PhD stipend scholarship (for example, a Research Training Program (RTP) or equivalent scholarship).  

We encourage applicants based overseas to apply . If you are based overseas, and not currently an Australian resident or holder of a permanent resident visa, your application will be considered for the main SQA scholarship program.   You may be able to commence your studies overseas if you have support from your supervisor and university, and have received your visa, however, you may not be able to start receiving scholarship payments until you arrive in Australia and/or have an Australia bank account.   Please check with your university for further information on offshore commencement.  

Before you apply

Before submitting your application, please read the relevant documents listed below related to your preferred scholarship:

• Application Guidelines
• Conditions of Award

Supporting documentation

To be considered for a stipend scholarship, please upload the following documents with your application. This supporting documentation must be contained in a single pdf (not a portfolio).

• Project proposal
• Academic transcript(s)
• Any other information supporting your application

Supervisor endorsement

When you submit your application, an email will be sent to your proposed supervisor for them to complete a supervisor endorsement form. In order to receive an endorsement, you need to have previously communicated with your proposed supervisor, and they must have agreed to supervise you.

PhD Experience Program Scholarship (non-stipend)

The application process for the PhD Experience Scholarship does not require supporting documentation. In the application form you will be asked for details about yourself and your PhD - including a brief description of your research project/area (max 200 words).

You will also need the support of your supervisor, and they will asked to endorse your application once completed.

Please note: Failure to follow the guidelines will lead to your application not being considered.

For SQA PhD Scholarship:  Explore our quantum research opportunities to find a research project that sparks your interest or search our database of Sydney Quantum Experts to find a potential supervisor for your research area of interest. Projects suit both experimentalists or theorists, and driven individuals with backgrounds across a range of disciplines such as physics, computer science, engineering, chemistry or mathematics. For more guidance, view our guide on ' How to apply for a quantum PhD in Sydney .

How will my application be assessed?

SQA PhD Scholarship: Primary, Supplementary and Supplementary Extension Streams

Applications will be assessed based on the following criteria:

• Candidate experience including academic merit, experience in quantum technology and / or any professional expertise
• Quality of the proposed project including relevance to quantum technology and / or alignment to the research strengths of the proposed partner institution
• Alignment of the application to SQA objectives including industry engagement, cross-institutional supervision and / or the potential to contribute to the growth of Sydney’s quantum ecosystem.

Consideration will also be given to supervisor capacity, diversity of applicants and the diversity of the proposed supervisors (early to mid-career supervisors and supervisors who identify as women).

The SQA encourages applications from women, Indigenous Australians, applicants with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people with disability, and from those who identify as LGBTIQ. We welcome applicants to include this information as part of their applications.

Applications will be assessed by researchers and academics within the four partner universities through a competitive assessment process. You should ensure that all information conveyed in your application can be understood by someone within and outside your sub-discipline.

SQA PhD Partnership Scholarship

Applications will be assessed by SQA and CSIRO, based on the following criteria:

• Quality of the proposed project including relevance to quantum technology and alignment to the proposed project by UNSW and CSIRO supervisors.
• Candidate experience including academic merit, experience in quantum technology and / or any professional experience

What is SQA career development funding (CDF)?

• All SQA PhD scholarship students (Primary, Supplementary, Supplementary Extension and PhD Experience) will have access to a pool of SQA career development funds held locally at your university. The approval processes and availability of funds will depend on your university who manage the process.  The intention of this funding is not to replace funding you may already be eligible to receive (e.g., you may already have support for a laptop from your research group), but rather to provide you with opportunities you may not have been able to access without the SQA CDF - such as specialist training.
• SQA PhD Partnership Scholarship students will have access to career development funding.

How do I know which stipend scholarship type I am eligible for?

•  Please refer to the eligibility requirements in the drop-down menu above. When you submit your application, you will have the option to select if you're applying for a SQA PhD Scholarship or SQA PhD Partnership Scholarship. You do not need to declare which SQA PhD scholarship stream you want to apply for. Based on the answers you provide in your application, we will determine which type of stipend scholarship (Primary, Supplementary, Supplementary Extension) you are eligible for.

Can I apply for both the SQA PhD scholarships and the SQA PhD Partnership Scholarship?  

• Yes, you can. In the application form, you will be asked which scholarship you wish to apply for, and you can select either or both.

How many rounds are there per year?

• We typically hold two scholarship rounds per year – one in April and another in September. You can subscribe to our mailing list to be notified when scholarship rounds open.

How do I know if my research area sufficiently relates to quantum tech?

• As quantum tech can span various disciplines and areas, the best person to answer this question is your proposed supervisor.

My supervisor is not on the SQA expert list – does this matter?

• You are most welcome to apply with a supervisor who is not on the SQA expert list, but you still must have a supervisor from an SQA university, and the project must be sufficiently related to quantum tech.

Do I have to come to Australia, or can I do my PhD entirely remotely and apply for a scholarship?

• As per the requirements of your university candidature (see their degree resolutions for details), you will need to do your PhD largely in Australia. You may be able to be overseas for a period within this or commence offshore for a period of time. If you are an international student, you will need an Australia visa granted before you can enrol.

What are the selection criteria?

• Details are available above – under ‘How will my application be assessed?’

Is there an IELTS requirement for a scholarship application?

• There is no SQA specific requirement for IELTS. You will need to adhere to the IELTS requirements of your chosen SQA university however, to be admitted for your PhD. SQA university PhD admission will be required to receive your scholarship, should you be awarded.

Do I need to include my co-supervisor in my application?

• It is not required if you have not organised a co-supervisor at the time of application. You are most welcome to note your co-supervisor in your application if you have one organised.

Can I start my application form and save it to finish it later?

• Depending on your browser – it should remember you and let you return to the same spot. However, if you open it up on a different browser or device, it likely won’t remember you, so make sure to keep a copy of anything you worry about losing to be safe.

I’ve accidentally submitted something incorrect on my application – how do I update this?

• If you submit multiple applications, we will use the latest application you submitted before the deadline in the assessment and selection process. If you are having trouble accessing the form after your first submission (i.e., the link takes you to a thank you for submitting page), if you open the link using a different browser application (e.g. Firefox instead of Chrome) and it should let you access the form anew. Alternatively, you can also email [email protected]  with your updated information.

Can I apply for an SQA scholarship and another scholarship at the same time?

• Yes, you can. However, should you be successful for another scholarship it may change your eligibility in terms of SQA scholarship types. For example, should you receive a non-SQA primary stipend (e.g., an RTP) since your application, you would no longer be eligible for an SQA Primary Scholarship, but you still may be eligible for an SQA Supplementary Scholarship.

Can I do an internship during my PhD?

• For the SQA PhD Scholarships, we are very supportive of you doing an internship during your candidature –  we have more information on internships here .  Note, you will likely need to get approval from your supervisor and university and follow any of their requirements.

Can I get a second extension (past 4 years) if my thesis is delayed?

• In general, no. This is due to most university degree resolutions stating that four years full time (not including extended leave or suspensions of study) is the maximum candidature length. See your university’s degree resolutions for details.

Can I reapply if I am unsuccessful?

• Yes, you are most welcome to reapply in future rounds, as long as you still fulfil the eligibility criteria.

Can I get feedback on my application?

• Unfortunately, we cannot provide feedback on your application.

Can I apply if I am a cotutelle students with an SQA university and another university?

• Yes, you can apply. Should you be successful however, the SQA PhD Scholarship stipend would only cover the period you are in Sydney and based at the SQA university.

I have another question not answered here – who can I ask?

• Please email  [email protected]  and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Ready to apply?

Applications for Round 10 opens on the 10th of April 2024. Before submitting your application, please read the relevant documents listed below:

Applications are open all year round. Apply  here for the PhD Experience Program scholarship.

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Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Banking & Finance

How to apply

PhD students in our school normally commence their study in Term 1 around early February each year. Prospective candidates are invited to submit their Expressions of Interest (EOI) between  May 1st and  July  31st  to be considered for admission in the following year. Please send your EOIs via email to  Banking and Finance HDR Admissions . Only selected applicants will be invited to apply via the UNSW central portal.

Out of round EOIs submitted after the deadline could be considered only for interested candidates with strong prior research experience, e.g., with a masters by research degree from a leading global institution.

Important:  Make sure you satisfy the UNSW academic and language entry requirements before submitting your EOI. Please read the “Entry Requirements” section below. 

Academic Entry Requirement

The minimum academic entry requirement for Stream 1 is the equivalent of a four-year UNSW Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline (Economics, Finance, and related subjects) with first or upper second class honours. The minimum academic entry requirement for Stream 2 is the equivalent of a four-year UNSW Bachelor’s degree with an Honours year (research), or the equivalent of a UNSW Masters’ degree with substantial research component with first or upper second class honours.

Note: an  upper second class honours  is equivalent to a weighted average mark of at least 75/100 (i.e., a Distinction) at UNSW and is allocated to roughly the top 30% of students. Grading systems vary across countries. For more information, read this  guide for grade equivalencies between countries .

English Language Requirement

UNSW recognises the follow countries as English-speaking: American Samoa, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Canada, Fiji, Gibraltar, Ghana, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, The Gambia, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom (including Northern Ireland), United States of America, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

If you are not a citizen of an English-speaking country, then you will need to establish that you have sufficient English language fluency. There are four ways to establish sufficient English language fluency: English Tests (including IELTS, TOEFL, Pearson and Cambridge), UNSW Global English Course, Prior Study, or an English Waiver. For details on each of these, please review our  English language requirements .

About the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Banking & Finance

UNSW’s Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Banking & Finance will prepare you to become a globally focused and socially engaged research leader. You’ll be joining a cohort of high-achieving research students in tackling modern-day challenges at the forefront of Banking & Finance, working alongside leaders in the field (ranked 20 th in the world, QS Subject Rankings , 2022). This is your opportunity to become integrated into the UNSW Business School’s community of scholars.

You’ll first undertake rigorous coursework covering relevant theories and research methods. As part of the program, you’ll also be involved in research projects from an early stage. This training will equip you with the skills required to identify, analyse, and solve problems in the field.

You’ll then pursue independent research under the supervision of high-profile UNSW academics, culminating in a doctoral thesis. Your PhD thesis will showcase your research skills and enable you to make an original contribution to the field of Banking & Finance.

There will also be exciting opportunities throughout to interact with industry leaders, and to develop your teaching portfolio. The training is geared toward preparing you for a career in academia, although other career paths (e.g., consulting, government, industry, non-profit) are also enabled.

PhD program structure

Most students complete the overall PhD study (including the MPDBS year as illustrated below) in four to five years. For candidates with a strong prior research experience, e.g., with a masters by research degree from a leading global institution, it is possible to complete the study in three to four years without the MPDBS year. Admitted students will be notified in the admission offer about the need of completing the MPDBS study. 

Year One: Master of Pre-Doctoral Business Studies (MPDBS)

The first year of study is designed to provide a rigorous foundation to conduct independent research. You’ll learn a range of methodologies and build your communication and presentation skills.

Your first year of coursework study will cover fundamental research methods. You’ll also start developing key research skills such as identifying, framing, presenting, and writing academic contributions. You’ll work as a research assistant on faculty research projects and start working on your own research as your skills develop.

The first year will help you identify your potential thesis supervisor for the PhD component of the program. Upon successful completion of the first year, you’ll be awarded a Master of Pre-Doctoral Business Studies. A brief overview of the first year is presented below.

• Program Core Course: Foundations of Business Research; Econometric Analysis; Business Research Project Seminar
• Stream Core Courses: Microeconomic Theory I; Mathematical Economics; Asset Pricing Theory; Research Methods in Finance 2; Empirical Corporate Governance
• Research Assistance Work

Year Two: Specialised Coursework & Thesis Work

During the second year, you’ll continue in the Banking & Finance stream with a further year of advanced coursework.

Examples of courses you may take include:

• Empirical Corporate Finance
• Corporate Finance Theory
• Empirical Asset Pricing

Your second year is also when you’ll identify your thesis topic with your supervisor. You’ll engage in literature review, research design and present your research proposal to the School at the end of the year.

Years Three Onwards: Thesis Work

The final two or three years of the program are focused on conducting full-time research and completing your doctoral thesis. This is your opportunity to address some of the biggest challenges in Banking & Finance and make a significant contribution to knowledge in the field. Your research will offer new critical thinking and withstand critical analysis from expert researchers in the area.

For more details about the School of Banking & Finance and our PhD program, check out our home page, people page and research students page.

As with most other OECD countries, the number of PhD completions in Australia has grown dramatically – more than doubling in the last two decades.

An increasing number of PhD graduates find employment in business, government, and the non-profit sector. Nineteen of the largest ASX companies have PhD graduates on their senior executive teams.

Your PhD will set you on the path to a career in a premier research institution, anywhere in the world. Throughout your research degree, you’ll also have many opportunities to develop your teaching portfolio.

Beyond academia, there’s also significant demand in the private and public sectors for people with deep knowledge and sound research and analytical skills*.

Whether you’re looking to pursue a career in academia, or take your research skills out to industry, a PhD in Banking & Finance from UNSW will get you there.

* Source:  2019 Advancing Australia’s Knowledge Economy Report

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Postgraduate Research

4 years full-time, 5-8 years part-time

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Term 1 – February

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Round 10 Sydney Quantum Academy PhD Scholarships open today

Want to work  with the brightest minds in quantum research? Apply for a SQA PhD Scholarship today.

SQA PhD student Mauro Morales working with his UTS QSI supervisors. Image: @ SydneyQuantumAcademy

Be part of world leading quantum research: SQA PhD scholarships open today

Are you passionate about conducting innovative research in the field of quantum science and technology? 

The following PhD Scholarships are available:

SQA PhD scholarship:  

See for more info on applying at UTS's QSI

These scholarships are for outstanding international and domestic students to collaborate with a team of leading researchers on innovative research at one of the Sydney Quantum Academy partner universities: Macquarie University*, UNSW Sydney, the University of Sydney, and the University of Technology Sydney*. Includes participation in our exclusive SQA PhD Experience Program .

Next Generation Quantum Graduates Program Scholarship (NGQGP): 

The Next Generation Quantum Graduates Program scholarships are for outstanding domestic PhD students to undertake collaborative research in quantum science and technology at the SQA partner universities. 

See more for an exciting opportunity to engage in research on quantum algorithms for combinatorial optimisation problems in collaboration with QSI's A/Prof Troy Lee and KPMG.

Open date: 10 April 2024

Close date: 15 May 2024

*The SQA PhD scholarship aims to address gender imbalance among students pursuing a career in quantum technology. Therefore, for reasons of building greater diversity, scholarship places at Macquarie University and University of Technology Sydney will be reserved for students who identify as women.

See the SQA website for further details and to apply

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.

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• CORRESPONDENCE
• 02 April 2024

How can we make PhD training fit for the modern world? Broaden its philosophical foundations

• Ganesh Alagarasan 0

Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Tirupati, India.

You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

You have highlighted how PhD training assessment has stagnated, despite evolving educational methodologies (see Nature 613 , 414 (2023) and Nature 627 , 244; 2024 ). In particular, you note the mismatch between the current PhD journey and the multifaceted demands of modern research and societal challenges.

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Nature 628 , 36 (2024)

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-024-00969-x

Competing Interests

The author declares no competing interests.

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ChE senior Sydney Hummel receives NSF Graduate Research Fellowship - Davidson School of Chemical Engineering - Purdue University

ChE senior Sydney Hummel receives NSF Graduate Research Fellowship

Sydney Hummel , a senior at Purdue University's Davidson School of Chemical Engineering, has been selected for the 2024 National Science Foundation's Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP). Th is program recognizes and provides support to promising graduate students with distinct potential t o make a large impac t in the scientific and eng i neering fields. Recipients must be pursuing full-time research-based graduate degrees in STEM or STEM education at accredited US inst itutions. The NSF GRFP spans five years, providing recipients with a three-year annual stipend of $34,000 , a $12,000 allowance for tuition and fees (paid to the institution) , and professional development opportunities.   

Sydney Hummel, who received the 2023 -2024 Astronaut Scholar and Churchill Scholar A ward s , will pu rsu e a yearlong master's degree in biomedical sciences at Cambridge University. Hummel 's research experience includ es work with the Philip Low Lab and the Xiaoping Bao Lab at Purdu e University and the Kristi Anseth and Christopher Bowman Labs at the University of Colorado Boulder . She has worked as an u ndergraduate r esearch f ellow with Purdue University's Engineering Undergraduate Research Off ice , a r esearch t echnician i ntern with Amplified Sciences, Inc., and a p roduct r esearch e ngineering i ntern with Cook Biotech .    

Learn more about Sydney’s latest achievements