what does phd conferred mean

What Is a Conferred Degree? [2024 Guide]

What is a conferred degree? When can you say you have a college degree? Is it just about taking college classes or is there more to it than that? Find out what the different terms mean.

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Many people have conferred degrees, but not all of them have completed the normal coursework. Others have earned their degree but it hasn’t been conferred yet. Here’s why.

What Is a Conferred Degree?

At the most basic level, the phrase “conferred degree” means you’ve finished all the academic and administrative requirements of your education program.

When your degree is conferred, it shows you are a legal and official graduate of your program. There are two ways to earn a conferred degree.

Traditional Degree

The first, and most popular way, is to finish all of the requirements in an educational program, such as a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate curriculum. You finish the work, you attend a graduation ceremony, you get the diploma, and you have a conferred degree.

There may be some steps between completing your course work and your degree conferral. For example, you may have to pay an outstanding balance on your school account, return materials to the school, or file paperwork to request your diploma.

The degree is not conferred until your school audits (or checks) that you have met all of the requirements.

Honorary Degree

The second way to earn a conferred degree is to accept an honorary diploma. Universities give honorary degrees to people who have made outstanding accomplishments in their field.

For example, Kanye West earned an honorary doctorate from the School Of Art Institute Of Chicago for his work in music, even though he did not finish college.

An honorary degree doesn’t mean you’ve finished (or even started) all of the course work. It only means that the school gave you a diploma. For example, Kanye West is not considered a “doctor” and isn’t accepted academically for his doctorate.

Still, the term “conferred degree” applies to both situations. Whether you complete all of the course work to earn a degree or the school awards you an honorary one, once you have the diploma in hand, it is conferred.

Degree Completed vs. Degree Conferred

As we said earlier, there may be some steps between finishing your last class and having your degree conferred. In fact, your graduation date is very likely different from your degree conferred date.

Many graduates walk at a ceremony, and they are handed a piece of paper on stage for a nice photograph. It’s only later that they receive their actual degree in the mail.

This is the case at California State University , where graduates have a commencement (or graduation) ceremony, but get their degree in the mail 6-8 weeks later.

To find your degree conferred date, check your academic transcript. It might say any of the following at the top:

• In Progress
• Awarded or Conferred

“In progress” could mean that you haven’t finished all of the requirements of the program yet. For example, you might have to take more classes.

“Completed” means you’ve finished all of the academic requirements for your degree, but you don’t have your diploma yet.

Your completion date can be useful. For example, if you want to apply to another educational program or apply to a job and show that you’ll soon have your conferred degree.

Your transcript will most likely say “completed” until you meet all of the other requirements of your school for conferral. You might have to pay fees, file paperwork for a graduation ceremony, or settle any outstanding issues.

Finally, “conferred” or “awarded” means you have a conferred degree. Not all schools use the same terms, so your transcript might say “awarded” instead of “conferred.” Don’t worry; your awarded date is the same as your conferred date.

What Does Degree Completed but Not Conferred Mean?

Let’s go back to the application for your dream job. If you have a transcript that says “conferred” or “awarded,” then you’re set. Write down that date as your degree conferred date.

If your transcript says “complete,” don’t write down the date of completion. That is not the same thing as the date conferred. Employers can check your information. You don’t want to have to explain why the dates don’t match up.

A better option is to check a box for (or write) “degree completed but not conferred.” This shows that you’ve finished all of the academic requirements for your degree. You just don’t have your diploma yet.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, many employers check to make sure degrees are real . An employer might call your school or use a company to verify that your information is accurate.

An application may ask for a copy of your official, sealed transcript. This will also reveal if your conferral date is accurate or not.

There is no shame in writing “degree completed but not conferred.” It’s accurate, it shows you will soon have your degree conferred, and it will match your school’s records in case someone verifies your information.

There’s no need to wait until you have a conferred degree to apply for your next education program or dream job. “Degree completed but not conferred” can help you move forward. You can always update the application later when your degree is conferred.

How Long Does It Take for a Degree to Be Conferred?

A typical progression for finishing an education program might look something like this:

• You finish your last class.
• You file paperwork with your registrar.
• You attend a commencement (graduation) ceremony.
• The school audits your paperwork to make sure you’ve completed all the requirements.
• The school officially awards (confers) your degree.
• You receive your diploma in the mail.

There is no standard time between finishing the last class and receiving a diploma. Some schools process paperwork faster than others.

Make sure to check with your registrar’s office for their specific timeline for conferring your degree.

How Do You Confer Graduates?

One question to ask your school’s registrar is, “How do you confer graduates?” Some schools automatically mark transcripts “complete” once the last class is finished. As we discussed, complete isn’t the same as conferred.

You might need to fill out a form to ask to graduate. This will trigger the audit of your classes and accounts with the school that is needed for conferral.

Every school’s process is unique, so check with the registrar. Don’t wait for a degree to show up in the mail. Chances are if you don’t tell your registrar, or at least your academic advisor, that you’re interested in graduating, nothing will happen.

In some cases, your transcript might not even be marked “complete” unless you alert the registrar that you have finished your program. To avoid delays, communicate with your advisor and registrar.

When Can I Say I Have a Degree?

When your degree is conferred, your official and unofficial transcript will show it. Look for a mark of “awarded” or “conferred.” At this point, and only this point, should you say that you have your degree. It’s okay if your diploma is still in the mail. Your conferred degree means you “have” your degree.

To say you have a degree, you should have at least one of the following:

• A transcript that says “awarded” or “conferred.”
• Confirmation from the registrar’s office that your degree has been conferred.
• A diploma (although this might arrive in the mail after the date of conferral).

Keep in mind that there are some alternative things you can say to potential employers or education programs if your degree is not conferred yet. It’s fine to say your degree is complete but not conferred. Just make sure your transcript is marked “complete” first.

If your transcript says “in progress” or “complete,” it is not okay to say that you have your degree. Remember, employers may check by calling your school.

What Does Conferral Mean?

To recap, you have a conferred degree when your school officially and legally awards you an undergraduate or graduate degree .

Either you have completed all of the academic work and administrative tasks that your college requires, or you have been awarded an honorary degree. Both count as conferred degrees.

In a typical path, you might talk with your advisor or registrar, finish your last class, and file the necessary paperwork to complete your program. At this point, your transcript will say “complete.”

Then, your paperwork will be audited to make sure you’ve met all of the requirements for conferral. You might attend a ceremony, such as a graduation, to celebrate. You’ll receive a conferred degree and finally receive your diploma, possibly in the mail.

Lastly, there’s no need to wait for your conferred degree to start applying to jobs and other educational programs. Just be clear in communicating that your degree is “in progress,” or “complete but not conferred.”

Conferring a degree can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. Employers should understand this. Still, they may check to make sure your statements about your degree are accurate. They may call your school to verify the status of your degree.

• PhD Student Handbook

Graduation and Degree Conferral

Expected graduation term (egt).

Your Expected Graduation Term (aka "EGT") is the term in which you expect to file your dissertation. To be eligible for filing, your EGT must be the current term in which you intend to file. You may update your EGT using the eForm available in CalCentral (My Dashboard > Student Resources Card > Change of Expected Graduation Term Request).

Commencement

The School of Social Welfare’s Commencement Ceremony is held at the conclusion of the spring semester each year. Details about the ceremony are posted on our Social Welfare Commencement website in early January.

Doctoral candidates who will have their PhD degree conferred in the current academic year (fall, spring, or summer) are eligible to participate in our Spring Commencement Ceremony. Since a complete draft of the dissertation is due to the dissertation committee two months before filing, students planning to participate in the spring graduation ceremony should note the implicit March cut-off for participation in commencement, and plan accordingly.

Degree Conferral

Your official degree conferral date is not the date on which you submit your dissertation. Degrees are officially awarded three times a year, in May, August and December. Your degree will be posted to your transcript approximately 10 weeks after the conferral date of your degree. For salary or employment purposes, however, you have completed all requirements for the PhD on the date you file your dissertation with the Graduate Division. You may request a “Certificate of Degree Completion” from the Graduate Division once your dissertation is accepted.

Diplomas are automatically mailed free of charge from the Office of the Registrar four months after graduation to the address you have on file in CalCentral. Once you no longer have access to campus student systems you may submit a Diploma Mailing Request Form. For more information please visit Office of the Registrar: Transcripts and Diplomas.

Verification of Enrollment or Degrees

You may request Student Self-Service Enrollment Verification or Official Verification of Attendance and Degrees directly from the Office of the Registrar; for information and instructions please visit Verification of Enrollment/Degrees.

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Date Conferred: What Is It And How To Use It On A Resume

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Summary. Date conferred is the date you officially graduated from your degree program. Often times this is not the date of your graduation ceremony since your school needs to you met all of your requirements for your degree. You can find this date by looking up your official transcript. It can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to have your degree conferred upon you.

When you apply for a professional license, a higher education program, or even some jobs that require a degree, the application will likely ask for the date your degree was conferred. Many people assume this is simply asking for the date you walked across the stage at graduation, but there’s actually much more to it than that.

In this article, you’ll learn what “date conferred” actually means, how to use it on your resume and in forms, and how your school will go about conferring your degree.

Key Takeaways

“Date conferred” and “date completed” are two different dates referring to when your school issued your diploma and when you completed the requirements to earn said diploma.

It can take a few weeks to a few months from your last exam to have your degree fully conferred.

You know your degree has been conferred when you see it marked as “conferred” on your transcript or when you receive your diploma.

What Does “Date Conferred” Mean?

How to use “date conferred” on a resume, degree completed vs. degree conferred, what does degree completed but not conferred mean for a resume, how long does it take for a degree to be conferred, when can i say i have a degree, conferred graduation date faq.

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The date your degree was conferred is the date you officially graduated from your degree program – this is the date that applications often ask for.

Contrary to popular belief, this isn’t the date of your commencement ceremony. Usually, the school needs to do an audit to make sure you meet all your study program requirements before it can legally award you your degree.

These graduation requirements include passing all of your classes and coursework on your degree plan sheet, finishing all of your clinical or other fieldwork hours, and paying all of your tuition and fees.

The date your degree is conferred also isn’t the day you receive your diploma in the mail, as institutions mail these out and can’t guarantee when you’ll get them.

The actual date usually comes without much recognition, as it is the date the school completes your audit and marks on your transcript that your degree has been awarded.

You can find this date by looking up your official transcript. Many schools provide online access to this, but you can also call the registrar ’s office to check your status.

If you can look at your transcript, it will state if your degree status is still “in progress,” “completed,” or “conferred” (or “awarded”). If it says “conferred” or “awarded,” then congratulations, you have a degree.

When you put your degree and the date it was conferred on your resume , it’s usually a good idea to create a separate “Education” section. Even if you only have one degree to put into it, this helps hiring managers quickly find the information they’re looking for when they’re reading your resume.

In this section, you can place multiple types of educational achievements:

High school diploma

Associate’s degrees

Undergraduate degrees

Graduate degrees

Doctoral degrees

Honorary degrees

Obviously, you don’t need to include all of these if you don’t have them. Because it’s implied you have a high school diploma if you completed any postsecondary education, you don’t usually need to put your high school diploma in this section unless it’s specifically required or is the highest level of education you’ve obtained.

For all of these degrees, list the specific degree, the name of the school you obtained it from, and the date conferred — you can do this with either the exact date or simply the month and year.

If you want to, you can also include the date (or month and year) you started the degree, as well as any academic honors you earned or minors or concentrations you completed.

You might see some applications asking for and records listing a “degree completed” date. This is different from your “degree conferred” date.

Degree completed. The day you complete your degree is the day you meet all of your degree program’s academic requirements.

For some programs, this may be as soon as you take your final tests, but others will require that you also have finished any required clinical or other on-the-job training hours before you can officially say you’ve completed your degree.

Degree conferred. Your degree conferral date, on the other hand, comes after you’ve checked these boxes, paid any remaining balances, and passed the audit the registrar performs on your records.

Most organizations won’t ask for your degree completion date if you have your conferral date. Still, some will ask for both because they have requirements for how far apart the two can be without an additional confirmation letter from the school.

This is especially true for applications for medical and other professional licenses. They need to make sure everyone they license is above-board and fully completed their degree programs, so they do some extra checking.

Others may want to know this date if you check the “degree completed but not conferred” box on the application. Keep reading to find out more about this.

If you’ve met all of your academic requirements and just haven’t received your diploma yet, you should mark “Degree completed but not conferred” on your application.

This lets the organization know that while you don’t technically have a diploma yet, you’ve passed all of your classes to get it and are just waiting on the school to complete the process.

Organizations understand that the degree conferral process can take a little while, so they will usually accept this and let you move forward in the application process. They’ll just want to see that you did finish your program and will receive your degree down the road. However, they will reserve the right to change your status as an applicant or employee if you don’t receive it for some reason.

Do not provide your completion date as your conferral date. Many organizations will call the school to make sure you actually do have your degree or are on track to receive it, and if they see that something doesn’t add up, it won’t reflect well on you.

There’s a reason there’s an option for “Degree completed but not conferred,” so don’t be afraid to check that box.

It may take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to have your degree conferred upon you. The length of the degree conferral process is different for everyone, as it’s more involved than you might think, and the registrar has to go through it for each individual student.

Some of these steps are up to you, but others take place behind the scenes. Here’s what this process generally looks like:

You complete your classes. That feeling of freedom that washes over you as you walk out of your last final exam, while momentous, is only the first step in the degree conferral process.

You turn in paperwork to the registrar. This paperwork’s specifics can vary, but there is usually some kind of application to graduate or other forms you need to file. This often also includes paying any outstanding balances, which is required before your degree can be conferred.

You walk in your graduation ceremony. Congratulations! You’ve made it through all the late-night cramming and never-ending to-do lists , and now it’s time to celebrate.

The registrar will conduct an audit. After you say your goodbyes and move out, the registrar will be hard at work going through each student’s records to make sure they are, in fact, eligible to receive their diplomas.

Usually, they begin this process earlier in the semester, but they still need to double-check at the end to make sure you’ve turned in everything you need to and finished all of your required classes and clinical hours.

They’ll mail your diploma. Once you pass your audit, the registrar will mark that your degree is “awarded” or “conferred” on your official transcript and put your diploma in the mail.

There is no way of guaranteeing when your diploma will arrive, so this is another reason for an inconsistent timeline. Be sure to start checking your transcript regularly a few weeks after graduation. Organizations that want a degree conferral date don’t need your diploma; they just need to know that you earned it.

If you notice that all of your friends are receiving their diplomas and you haven’t, look at your student accounts or call the registrar to make sure everything is in order. It may be that you have an extra fee to pay that you didn’t know about or that you need to complete an additional form.

If you have pursued your degree the traditional way through taking classes, you can legally say you have a degree when your transcript says that your degree has been “awarded” or “conferred,” when you receive your diploma, or when the registrar provides some other type of confirmation.

You also may legally say this when you receive an honorary degree. These degrees are awarded to people who didn’t take classes but who the college or university decided earned it. These are just as legal as any other degree, as they’re usually given to those who have accomplished something significant in the field of the degree they’re awarded.

However, you cannot legally say that you have a degree when you finish your finals or walk across the stage at graduation, although you should go ahead and celebrate like you do.

What does conferral mean?

Conferral means that the school has officially and legally awarded you an undergraduate or graduate degree. You have fully met the academic and administrative requirements necessary to be awarded a degree, and the school has performed an audit to ensure that this is the case.

How do I know when my degree is conferred?

You will know that your degree is conferred when your official academic transcript states either “Awarded” or “Conferred.” This information is usually found at the very top of your transcript.

Remember that “Completed” does not mean the same thing as conferred — the school still has to run an audit to confirm you meet all of the academic and administrative requirements for conferral.

Is conferral date the same as graduation date?

No, conferral date is not the same as graduation date. You may graduate when you’ve completed all of your classes, but before you’ve paid all your fees and/or completed all the administrative tasks you need to complete.

While it is technically possible that your degree is conferred on the same day that you graduate, it would be completely coincidental.

Is a degree conferred or awarded?

You can say a degree was conferred or awarded and it means the same thing. The difference in word choice depends on your school, but you may use the words interchangeably when describing the status of your degree.

How long does it take to get a degree conferred?

Degree conferral can take between 2 weeks and a few months from the completion of your degree program. However, unless you have reason to believe that an audit will bring your degree’s status into question, you can still list your graduation date on your resume.

Just be sure to accurately respond to any questions that ask you to specify whether your degree is completed but not yet conferred.

Arizona State University – What Does Conferral Date Mean?

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Abby is a writer who is passionate about the power of story. Whether it’s communicating complicated topics in a clear way or helping readers connect with another person or place from the comfort of their couch. Abby attended Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she earned a degree in writing with concentrations in journalism and business.

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Masters students: Only when you receive written confirmation (normally from the course’s Degree Committee) of unconditional approval for your degree will you be eligible to have it conferred at a graduation ceremony.

• If your Department or Degree Committee advises the date when your cohort's results will be released, please do not apply to a ceremony that takes place before the result date that they advise.
• If your Department or Degree Committee does not advise when the overall outcome for your course will be advised, please do not apply to a ceremony until you have received confirmation of unconditional approval.

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• to have your degree conferred (granted) at one of the University's Congregations (graduation ceremonies)
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Contact your college praelector or tutorial office to arrange any of these options.

The Praelector will make all the necessary arrangements for the degree to be conferred in the University's Senate House and will tell you what to wear for the Congregation, how to get tickets, where to hire hoods and gowns and how the ceremony operates.

You must not make any travel arrangements or book airline tickets until it has been confirmed which congregation you will be attending.

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Graduate degree conferrals.

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Conferrals occur on three different dates over the course of the academic year.

Beginning in Fall 2019 graduate students are eligible to have degrees conferred, and to receive their diploma, on three different dates over the course of the academic year:

• October  (for students who complete their  terminal*  degree requirements the preceding summer term)
• February  (for students who complete their  terminal*  requirements the preceding fall term)
• May  (at Commencement, for students who complete their requirements over the preceding spring term)

*The October and February Conferral dates were created to satisfy the need for terminal graduate degree candidates to obtain their degree/diploma in advance of the traditional May Commencement Ceremony. Doctoral students picking up a transitional master's degree en route to the PhD must wait until the May degree conferral.

• October and February degree recipients are welcome to participate in the subsequent May Commencement. The Graduate School will reach out in late January, to the email address recorded on the Application to Graduate, with instructions for registering to attend and participate.  
• Graduates who choose this option must bring their diploma covers with them, as the Office of the Registrar cannot provide additional covers
• There is no ceremonial commencement in October or February. Students whose degrees are conferred at those times are listed in the May Commencement Bulletin, and noted as prior-term completers. 

Required Steps and Deadlines

• Application to Graduate - open 7/01/23 through Friday 9/08/23.  This degree conferral is for those who are no longer enrolled after August.  Candidates who are active for any part of Fall semester must wait until the February conferral. ( *see note above regarding transitional master's degrees )

The Application to Graduate is a required step to graduate, and is available in  Banner Self Service , under Applicant and Student > Student Records. Students who fail to apply by the deadline would need to wait until next degree conferral cycle to apply. 

• Thesis Defense Deadline/Grade Deadline – Friday 9/08/23 All degree candidate grades must be entered, and Thesis/Dissertation must be recorded by the Graduate School by this date.
• Degree Conferral - October 22, 2023
• Application to Graduate deadline open 10/02/23 - Friday 1/12/24.  This degree conferral is for those who are no longer enrolled after December.  If you are a graduate degree candidate active for any part of Spring semester, you need to wait until the May conferral. ( *see note above regarding transitional master's degrees )

The Application to Graduate is a required step to graduate, and is available in  Banner Self Service , under Applicant and Student > Student Records. Students who fail to apply by the deadline would need to wait until next degree conferral cycle to apply.

• Thesis Defense Deadline/Grade Deadline - Friday 1/12/24 All degree candidate grades must be entered, and Thesis/Dissertation must be recorded by the Graduate School by this date.
• Degree Conferral February 11, 2024

University Commencement Weekend

• Application to Graduate deadline open 1/15/24 - 4/19/24.  This degree conferral is open to all terminal and transitional degree candidates eligible to complete degree requirements.

The Application to Graduate is a required step to graduate, and is available in  Banner Self Service , under Applicant and Student > Student Records. Students who fail to apply by the deadline would need to wait until next degree conferral cycle to apply. 

• Thesis Defense Deadline/Grade Deadline - Friday 5/01/24. Thesis/Dissertation must be recorded by the Graduate School by this date.
• Degree Conferral is Commencement Sunday, May 26, 2024

Please note that the Graduate School will not grant extensions beyond the Thesis deadline.  

Official Transcripts and Degree Confirmation

After you have been admitted, you must submit official transcripts from each institution listed in your application. You do not have to provide separate official transcripts from study abroad institutions, as long as the study abroad credits appear on the official transcript from your home educational institution. 

The final transcript should show all work completed and the conferral date of the degree. This also serves as your degree confirmation. When you request a final transcript from your institution, verify that the transcript states the date that the degree was conferred or awarded. It is very important to verify this, as there is often a delay between the date of graduation and the date of degree conferral. Your official transcript must be in an envelope sealed by your school for it to be recognized as official by the Graduate School . Official documents sent to The Graduate School will not be returned.

If your transcripts cannot be sent due to valid extenuating circumstances, please contact the graduate admissions office at [email protected] or (919) 684-3913.

How to Submit

Request that each institution you have attended send us a final transcript. Electronic transcripts sent directly from the educational institution are considered official and should be sent to [email protected] .

Paper transcripts should be mailed to

Duke University Graduate School Office of Admissions 2127 Campus Drive, Box 90065 Durham, NC 27708

Note: The address listed above is both a physical location and a mailing address. If your mail service will not deliver to a post office box, delete "Box 90065" from the address and use the postal code 27708-0065.

IMPORTANT: If you received your diploma or degree from a Chinese institution, we also need the China Higher Education Student Information and Career Center (CHESICC) degree verification report.

If Your Final Transcript Is Not Yet Available

If you completed your degree very recently or are still enrolled in a degree program, your final, official transcript may not be available until as late as August. If this is the case, DO NOT wait until June, July, or August to have your official transcript sent to us. Instead, request that your educational institution send your most up-to-date transcript as soon as possible. Once the final transcript with the degree conferral date becomes available, request that it be sent as well.

If Your Transcript Is in a Language Other Than English

If the transcript is not in English, we need both the transcript in its original language and an English translation of the transcript. If your institution does not issue documents in English, you must have the transcripts translated by a professional translation service. Self-translations and notarized translations will not be accepted.

If You Only Have One Official Transcript

Some international schools issue only one official transcript. If this is the case for the school(s) you attended, DO NOT send this document to us, because no materials submitted in support of an application will be returned to you. Instead, send an exact copy that has been stamped as a “Certified True Copy” by the appropriate institutional official of each institution that you attended. Uncertified copies are not acceptable.

If Your Transcript Does Not Show a Degree Conferral Date

If the date of degree conferral is not included in the final transcript, still ask the institution to send a complete transcript that includes your final grades. You must then send the graduate admissions office a certified, true copy of the diploma or certificate of degree completion showing the date the degree was conferred. Uncertified copies will not be accepted. ( IMPORTANT: If you received your diploma or degree from a Chinese institution, we only need the final transcript and the CHESICC degree verification report. We do not need a copy of the diploma or the degree certificate.)

If you choose not to provide a certified copy or are unable to obtain one, you may contact the Duke University Graduate School at 919-684-3913 or [email protected] to make arrangements to present your diploma or degree in person.

If the diploma or degree is not in English, you must provide both an English translation and the diploma or degree in its original language. Most university officials will provide English translations if asked to do so; therefore, we strongly encourage you to work with your university to obtain a translation.

If you are absolutely unable to obtain an English translation from the institution, you must obtain one from a professional translation service. Self-translations and notarized translations will not be accepted.

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Complete and confer your degree

Find out what happens when you complete your course.

Completing and conferring

1. complete your degree.

After your results have been published on my.unimelb, we will confirm with you via email if you have passed all your course requirements. If you have passed all your course requirements and cleared all applicable sanctions, you will be eligible to complete and confer your degree and graduate.

If you have any outstanding fees, debt or fines, you will receive a notification and a sanction will appear on my.unimelb. You will need to make payment to be eligible to graduate.

2. Check your name and address details

Before conferral, it’s important to check your name and address details we have on file are correct.

• Change of name: Your formal name will appear on your graduation certificate (testamur) and be published on the Verify a Qualification webpage. You can submit a Change of personal details request if you need to change your name or change the order that your names will appear on your graduation certificate (testamur). All name changes must be submitted no later than the response date. If you change your name after your graduation, don't worry: you can still purchase a  replacement graduation certificate .
• Preferred name: While your graduation certificate (testamur) must have your legal name written on it, your preferred name can be read out on stage at your graduation ceremony.   Please  submit an enquiry to the graduations team to request this.
• Change of address: Please check your preferred address details in ‘Contact’ tab of my.unimelb . Your certificate will be sent to this postal address. If you need to update your address details, please follow these  updating contact details instructions.

3. Pay any outstanding fees, debt or fines

If you have any outstanding fees, debt or fines, you will receive a notification and a ‘sanction’ will appear on my.unimelb. You will need to make payment to be eligible to have your degree conferred.

4. Confer your degree

• Bachelor and Masters students do not need to do anything to confer their degree. You will be automatically conferred and contacted via email to confirm your conferral date, which is the date that will appear on your graduation certificate (testamur).
• PhD and Doctoral students must confirm your choice to be conferred. You can do this by following the instructions sent to you in your conferral options email. If you do not respond by the deadline outlined in your conferral email, your conferral will be automatically deferred until the next main round.
• Certificate or Diploma students will not be invited to attend a ceremony, as there are no ceremonies for these awards. We will post your graduation certificate to you once you have completed your course. If you have completed a degree at the same time as your Certificate or Diploma, you will still be invited to a graduation ceremony for the degree. If you are a Fine Arts and Music student, there are separate arrangements in place and you will be contacted according to the information outlined for Bachelor degrees.

On your conferral date, you will be able to claim your qualification and receive access to your digital graduation certificate (testamur), academic transcript and Australian Higher Education Graduation Statement (AHEGS).

Conferral dates usually take place at the end of each month. You can check your conferral date below.

Conferral dates

After your degree is conferred

• You will receive an email invitation to attend the next available graduation ceremony.
• A physical copy of your graduation certificate (testamur) will be posted to you in the month following your conferral. The Graduations Office will email you a tracking number once your testamur has been posted.
• You can access your digital graduation certificate (testamur), academic transcript and AHEGS via  My eQuals.

Complete your degree FAQs

If you have not had your degree officially conferred yet, you are not eligible to attend a graduation ceremony. The first step of your graduation experience is to have your degree officially conferred. After your degree has been conferred, you will be eligible to receive an invitation to attend an graduation ceremony.

If you are about to undertake Honours, you should still have your Bachelor award conferred at the first available conferral round. Your Bachelor degree and Honours year are separate awards, and you will receive a  testamur for each. Once you have been conferred for your Bachelor degree, you can attend a graduation ceremony, or wait until you have completed Honours.

After your results have been published in my.unimelb, we will confirm with you via email if you have passed all your course requirements. You will need to pass all your course requirements and clear all applicable sanctions to be eligible to graduate.

There might be practical reasons to defer your conferral, such as the eligibility requirements for further study at specific institutions, which may only accept applications from students who have graduated within a specific time period.  You may defer your conferral for up to 12 months from completion date.  If this doesn’t apply to you, then we recommend you choose to have your degree conferred at the earliest opportunity to confirm your qualification, receive your graduation certificate (testamur) and other academic transcripts.

You can download an evidence of qualification for free via my.unimelb, after the final results release date. This is a useful document if you are waiting for your conferral and testamur, as it is evidence that you passed your degree. The evidence of qualification will not list your conferral date until after your degree is conferred.

After your degree is conferred (i.e., once you graduate) you will receive your testamur (graduation certificate) and qualifications.

We are currently unable to offer an option for you to collect your certificate (testamur) in person.

We post to domestic addresses and most international locations via Australia Post. Please note there are some countries who are not permitting international delivery at the moment.

To ensure your certificate is sent to the right postal address, please check and update either ‘contact’ or 'home' address details in my.unimelb (after clicking this link, you will need to click ‘Contact’ in the left menu to see your address details). Please ensure that you nominate your preferred address for postage by selecting Make preferred and saving changes. If you need to update your address details, follow these instructions.

The Graduations team will email you prior to your testamur being posted with an opportunity for you to update your address within a tight timeline.

Students completing the following degrees will have 'with Distinction' printed on their testamur if eligible:

• Master of Engineering (Master of Biomedical Engineering, Master of Chemical Engineering, Master of Civil Engineering, Master of Digital Infrastructure Engineering, Master of Electrical Engineering, Master of Environmental Engineering, Master of Industrial Engineering, Master of Mechanical Engineering, Master of Mechatronics Engineering, Master of Software Engineering, Master of Spatial Engineering)
• Master of Environment
• Master of Computer Science
• Master of Information Systems
• Master of Information Technology
• Master of Science (Bioinformatics), Master of Science (BioSciences), Master of Science (Chemistry), Master of Science (Computer Science), Master of Science (Earth Sciences), Master of Science (Epidemiology), Master of Science (Mathematics & Statistics), Master of Science (Phyics)
• Doctor of Dental Surgery
• Doctor of Physiotherapy
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

You can find more information regarding your testamur here .

Yes, you may postpone attending your graduation ceremony by up to 12 months from your conferral date if you are unable to attend the original date.

Prior to 2013, it was University policy that you had to formally respond to your invitation to graduate following completion of your degree and express your preference for being conferred your degree either by attending a graduation ceremony or choosing to be conferred in absentia. This policy was updated in 2013 to address students who did not respond to their graduation invitation. Students who completed their degree from 2013 onwards who did not respond to their invitation to graduate were automatically conferred in absentia .  If you are unsure if your degree has been conferred, you can check via the University's Verification of Qualification service https://ask.unimelb.edu.au/faq/3408/ or by reaching out to us here .

1. Complete and confer your degree

Steps to complete your course and confer your degree.

2. Ceremony dates

Check dates for upcoming graduation ceremonies.

3. Ceremony invitations

All about invitations and your option to attend, not attend, wait for the next round of ceremonies or postpone attendance until completion of honours.

4. Booking your tickets and gown

Information about booking your ceremony ticket, graduation gowns, guest tickets and fees involved in participating.

5. Graduation day

Everything you need to know about your ceremony day including event details, venue maps, merchandise and your graduation ceremony recording.

Need help with graduating?

Submit an online enquiry to Stop 1 and we'll get back to you within 10 business days.

Submit an enquiry Can't access the enquiry form? Please contact us here .

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What Does 'PhD' Stand For?

A PhD is a terminal academic degree students typically pursue when they're interested in an academic or research career.

A PhD is the highest possible academic degree a student can obtain. PhD stands for “Doctor of Philosophy,” which refers to the immense knowledge a student gains when earning the degree. While you can actually get a PhD in philosophy, "Doctor of Philosophy" doesn't always refer to someone who has a terminal degree in that discipline. You can get a PhD in a number of fields, such as science or economics, and the word "Philosophy," translated from original Greek to mean "lover of wisdom," can refer to the degree holder's dedication to understanding a subject.

Students typically pursue a PhD when they're interested in an academic or research career—or if they want to take their education as far as it can go.

This article goes beyond the definition of a PhD, and touches on important information you’ll need to know about the degree, so you can decide whether pursuing one is the best choice for you. 

What is a PhD? 

A PhD is an academic degree that combines general knowledge of a field with specific mastery of an area of subtopic within that field. For example, earning your PhD in political science means you have a general foundation of the field, but likely also specialize in a more focused area, such as American or comparative politics, or political economy. 

PhDs—also known as doctorates—are terminal degrees , meaning they are the highest level of degree that you can achieve in certain fields, such as cognitive psychology, mathematics, English, economics, evolutionary biology, and public health. 

Read more: What Is a PhD?

What does it take to earn a PHD? 

PhD programs typically require you to complete advanced coursework, comprehensive exams that test your knowledge of your particular field of study, and a dissertation (or original body of research). The specific requirements will differ by program or university.  

How long does a PhD take?

Your PhD studies can take between four and seven years to complete, though it often depends on your field and other commitments. For example, it typically takes less than seven years to earn an engineering PhD, while it can take up to 12 years to earn an education PhD. Writing a dissertation is often credited with adding to the length of time it takes to complete a PhD program. In addition, some doctoral students may be working full-time or raising families while completing degree requirements, and thus may need additional time in their programs.

Learn more: How Long Does It Take to Get a PhD?

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Getting a PhD: what to know

If you're considering getting a PhD, there are some important aspects of doctoral degrees you'll need to know. 

To apply for PhD programs, you'll need to provide academic transcripts from your prior education, samples of your academic writing and research, and letters of recommendation from former professors. You will likely also need to write a personal statement that details your academic and professional goals, research interests, why you are applying to a particular program, relevant skills and experience, and strengths.  

Before applying, it's a good idea to research different education institutions to get an idea of their reputation, faculty achievements, mission statements, and the kinds of jobs former graduate students have gotten upon completing. 

Once enrolled in a doctoral program, expect to complete advanced study in your field. This will likely entail two years of coursework, conducting original research into a specific topic, navigating the world of academic publishing, and working closely with faculty to prepare for an academic or research-based career. 

Successful completion of a PhD program typically requires that you write a dissertation or conduct a significant research project on a specific topic related to your field. Most programs have students go through an oral defense to demonstrate mastery of the dissertation topic and describe its contribution to the field. 

PhDs vs. other terminal degrees

A PhD is not the only kind of terminal degree you can earn. In fact, there are two other types of terminal degrees that tend to be more career focused.

Professional doctorates

PhDs and professional doctorates are similar in that they are both the most advanced academic degrees you can earn, but a PhD requires a dissertation and a professional doctorate requires a doctoral study. 

PhDs are focused on producing original research, whereas professional doctorates typically have some professional experience they apply toward researching a solution to a practical problem. If you have significant experience in a professional field, such as business administration or public health, you might choose to pursue a professional doctorate because you can use your knowledge and expertise in more concrete ways. 

Professional degrees

A professional degree is the PhD equivalent for certain professions, like for a medical doctor, dentist, or lawyer. Whereas a PhD tends to promote a historical and theoretical education, a professional degree emphasizes a practical education because it’s designed for you to begin working in medicine or law after you graduate and pass additional licensing requirements. 

Did you know?

Honorary degrees at the PhD level are conferred upon people who've made significant contributions to a field or society at large. An "honorary" degree refers to an academic award that distinguished individuals can receive from an academic institution without having to complete the usual requirements of the degree. Here are some celebrity examples:

Meryl Streep has received honorary PhDs from Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and the University of Indiana at Bloomington for her cinematic achievements.

Oprah Winfrey has received honorary PhDs from Princeton, Howard University, Duke University, and Harvard for her philanthropic and business achievements.

John Legend has received honorary Doctorate of Music from the University of Pennsylvania and an honorary doctorate from Howard University.

Education requirements for a PhD 

Obtaining your PhD requires earning your bachelor’s degree and likely your master’s degree before you can begin applying to doctorate programs. However, there are some programs that combine the master’s degree with the PhD so that you spend less time earning both and can begin once you finish your bachelor’s degree. 

Let's look at the two most important degrees you’ll need to complete before you can begin pursuing your PhD.

Bachelor’s degree

You will need to earn a bachelor’s degree before pursuing more advanced degrees, like a master’s or PhD. You don’t have to choose a major related to your eventual doctorate, though it can help to pick a complementary subject so you have a strong foundation before taking higher-level coursework. For example, if you want to obtain a PhD in economics, then it might help to major in economics, finance, business, or even political science as an undergraduate. 

While graduate programs don’t always expect applicants to have studied the same field as the one they’re applying to, you will need to explain your interest in the field of your potential graduate work and have some knowledge about what you want to study within it. Aligning your undergraduate and graduate focuses may also help you move through your graduate coursework faster.  

Learn more: How to Get a Bachelor’s Degree

Master’s degree

A master’s degree is an advanced degree you can pursue after earning your undergraduate degree. PhD programs typically require a master’s before admitting you, though as we noted above, some programs may combine degree tracks to decrease the amount of time to completion.

Master’s degrees take between one and three years to finish , depending on whether you’re able to attend part-time or full-time. Master’s degrees enhance your level of expertise in your field, and you can pursue many higher-level careers with the credential—or continue with your education and apply to PhD programs. 

Learn more: Is a Master’s Degree Worth It?

4 benefits of a PhD 

There are a number of reasons why you might want to pursue your PhD. Let’s hone in on four of them: 

1. Become an expert.

People who obtain PhDs have the highest possible education in their field. As such, they're often considered to be genuine experts in that subject matter. You may feel a tremendous amount of personal satisfaction from having achieved this level of mastery.

2. Contribute original research. 

Adding to the knowledge of a particular field is no small feat. When you write your dissertation, you will have the opportunity to make a valuable original contribution that either expands people’s understanding of a subject or brings an entirely new perspective to it.

3. Broaden your job opportunities.

Earning a PhD could qualify you to work in academia or research, but it may also increase your qualifications—or help you stand out—for jobs that do not necessarily require a PhD. Holding a PhD may convey to employers that you’re knowledgeable, hardworking, and disciplined because of what it takes to earn the degree. 

4. Increase your salary potential.

On average, people with PhDs can potentially make more than those with undergraduate degrees, depending on your profession. The median weekly earnings of a person with a PhD in the United States is $1,885 compared to $1,305 for bachelor's degree holders [ 1 ]. A doctorate can also lead to higher lifetime earnings. A bachelor’s degree graduate will earn an average of $2.2 million over their lifetime, but PhD graduates earn an average of $4 million over their lifetimes [ 2 ].

Careers that typically require a PhD

A PhD is an academic credential necessary to teach at the university level or conduct high-level research in a number of fields, such as the life and social sciences. The following careers typically require a doctorate:

Research associate

Research scientist 

Assistant professor 

Dean of students

Careers where a PhD may help you advance  

While the careers listed below generally require a master’s degree, earning your PhD may help you qualify for more advanced roles within the profession—or help you develop more specialized knowledge to succeed in your career.  

Anthropologist 

Statistician 

Political scientist 

Psychologist 

Explore further

If you're contemplating getting your PhD and have not yet earned your master’s, explore a number of master’s degree options from prestigious universities in high-growth fields, such as computer science , business , management , or public health. Work toward your degree at your own pace from anywhere with an internet connection.

Article sources

US Bureau of Labor Statistics.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “ Education Pays, 2020 : Career Outlook , https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2021/data-on-display/education-pays.htm." Accessed August 4, 2023.

Site Selection Magazine. " Education Level Is Only One Part of the Lifetime Earnings Picture , https://siteselection.com/cc/workforce/2022/education-level-is-only-one-part-of-the-lifetime-earnings-picture.cfm." Accessed August 4, 2023.

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• How do I know what level a course is?
• Under what circumstances can I apply for an Assessment Extension, Replacement Examination or Additional Assessment? Updated
• How do I pursue an assessment grievance or request a re-mark or review of a grade? Updated
• How do I change my name officially?
• What are my login details?
• Will I get charged if I drop my course after census date?
• What is the HECS-HELP discount?
• Who could I ask to be my referee on my job applications and resume?
• What do I need to bring with me to an exam? Updated
• What Accounting courses are required for CPA Australia and the Institute of Chartered Accountants?
• When and where will my teaching placements take place?
• Why does my grade show as Result Pending (RP)?
• What University software is available for download on my personal computer?
• I need to submit my Show Cause but I don't have all my supporting documentation/evidence yet. What do I do? Updated
• Are there any scholarships to support conference attendance for research students?
• What name will be printed on my student ID card?
• When will I find out the outcome of my scholarship application?
• Can I change my courses or class times?
• Can I use my personal hotspot to take my online proctored exam? Updated
• What do I do if my exams clash? Updated
• When and where do I collect my academic dress from? Updated
• How do I contact a Chaplain?
• What happens if I don’t return an item by its due date?
• How will I know if I am at risk of not making satisfactory academic progress?
• What is the value of a Commonwealth Scholarship?
• When are Academic Progress Review Periods? Updated
• Where can I access past exam papers for study purposes? Updated
• What happens if someone is caught cheating in an exam? Updated
• How long does a Study Overseas exchange application take to complete?
• Can I use a tablet device to write answers on for handwritten responses or general working? Updated
• Where and when can I collect my guest tickets for my graduation ceremony? Updated
• Unique Student Identifier (USI)
• What happens if I fail a course while I’m on an overseas exchange?
• Who gets to see my Access Plan? Updated
• How many summer or winter school courses can I enrol in?
• Can I change my offered exchange partner institution if I am not happy with my offer?
• How early do I need to decide on my major and minor?
• Can I get extra help with my studies if I am failing my course?
• What is Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)? Updated
• Who can access the MathTrackX bridging course?
• Can I do a study tour before or after an overseas exchange?
• How do I make an appointment to see a counsellor? Updated
• How do I order an official academic transcript?
• I've injured my arm/hand and am having difficulties with writing/typing. What should I do? Updated
• When will I graduate? Updated
• How can I order an official letter from the University?
• What printing, photocopying and scanning facilities are available in the library?
• How long will it take me to complete the Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA)?
• What type of information will be collected by ProctorU? Updated
• When's the earliest I can start applying for scholarships?
• What are some things that may affect my scholarship?
• I have a medical condition/disability and need Alternative Exam Arrangements (AEA) to sit my exam. How do I organise this? Updated
• Why does MyUni say a course is 'unavailable'?
• Who can access LinkedIn Learning? Updated
• What is SWOT Week and when is it held? Updated
• Who will meet me if I book the airport pickup service? Updated
• How can I give to the University of Adelaide? Updated
• As an international student, what happens if I will not complete my degree by the expected date? Updated
• What happens if I originally elected to attend a graduation ceremony, but now can't attend? Updated
• What is a SELT?
• If I've accepted my SATAC offer and enrolled but now want to defer, what should I do? Updated
• Who can I speak to about where my studies can lead me?
• How much are my course fees?
• Where are PASS classes held? Updated
• Do I still need to submit a Return from Leave of Absence form if my candidature is about to lapse?
• Where is the Roseworthy Student Services Office?
• As an international student, do I need to complete the Engineering Communication EAL course? Updated
• What are tutorial marks for?
• How do I forward my student email to another email account?
• My student visa will expire soon, but I want to attend my graduation. What should I do? Updated
• How do I replace my testamur if it has been lost or damaged? Updated
• Is my scholarship income taxable?
• How do I hire a locker in Hub Central?
• What is an Access Plan and how do I get one? Updated
• How do I add a new degree?
• How do I apply to graduate? Updated
• I am receiving an error when submitting a MyUni or Turnitin Assignment. What do I do?
• Why do I have an alert in MyAdelaide?
• Can I borrow from the University of South Australia and Flinders University libraries?
• What volunteering opportunities are available for students? Updated
• When are course offerings and timetables released for next year?
• What happens to my OSHC when I go home for the holidays or take a leave of absence? Updated
• How do I enrol in Indonesian, Italian or Modern Greek courses?
• Can the Writing Centre edit my work for me? Updated
• As an international student, do I need to enrol full-time every study period? Updated
• Are there any parenting rooms on campus?
• How do I enrol in an internship course?
• How will exclusion from my program as a result of unsatisfactory academic progress affect me? Updated
• What is Show Cause? Updated
• How do I get a student ID card?
• Can I apply for the Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) with a degree from the Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics?
• What is a University Medal? Updated
• How can I ensure the correct name appears on my testamur if it is incorrect in Access Adelaide/MyAdelaide? Updated
• How does ProctorU work? Updated
• Can I apply for an extension to my fees?
• Can I have extra time for the exam if English is not my first language? Updated
• Where can I find library self-help guides and content?
• Where can I find employment or volunteering opportunities whilst studying?
• How do I know if my exam is in-person or online proctored? Updated
• What happens to the previous version of my digital academic transcript when I order a new digital transcript?
• Can I apply to Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy or Speech Pathology as a higher education applicant?​​​​​​​
• Can I track and receive certificates for courses and learning paths completed on LinkedIn Learning? Updated
• Why are domestic and international student fees different?
• Who are the University Chaplains?
• Will there be reading time before the exam starts? Updated
• What if I change my arrival details after receiving my confirmation email for the airport pickup service? Updated
• How can I keep myself safe on campus? Updated
• Where can I get my travel insurance policy number?
• Can I apply for credit from previous studies?
• What is an embargo?
• How do I resolve an enrolment error?
• When should I book my flights for an overseas study tour?
• How can I contact Study Overseas?
• How many courses can I enrol into?
• What is OS-HELP and how do I apply?
• What is the Student Services and Amenities Fee?
• I have received an Academic Progress notification and have been asked to Show Cause. What should I do about my current enrolments and/or classes? Updated
• Can I apply for more than one scholarship?
• Are there showers on campus?
• If I sit a replacement exam will it show on my official academic transcript? Updated
• What is the difference between an open, closed and broadening elective?
• What is a Commonwealth supported place?
• What is accelerated online learning?
• I have received an automatic application for conferral - how do I change this to have a different degree on my testamur? Updated
• Can I study a language at the University of Adelaide?
• Where will my exam be held? Updated
• I am worried that my internet connection is not stable enough to sit the online proctored exam. Updated
• Do I need to pay for a new Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)? Updated
• What is the program fee associated with the overseas study tours offered via Study Overseas?
• Do you need to make an appointment at the University Health Practice, or can you just walk in on the day?
• What is Studiosity? Updated
• Where can I go to get course advice if I'm thinking of changing my degree?
• Can Honours be deferred in the Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics?
• How do I renew my library items?
• Can I add the Bachelor of Teaching double degree onto my current program?
• Can I request a particular school for my first or second year teaching observation placement?
• Do I need to be at my exam venue by a certain time? Updated
• I have received an Academic Progress notification and have been asked to complete a survey. What is the purpose of this? Updated
• I want to study on exchange at a university that is not in your partner list. How can I do this?
• I am in South Australia and want to take my exam online. Can I? Updated
• Where is Joint Store and how do I request items from there?
• I’m a permanent resident/international student. Do I need to do anything extra regarding my residency if I am going to study overseas?
• I'm a Bachelor of Finance and Banking student; which combination of first-year maths courses should I do?
• What can the Security Office help me with? Updated
• Where are the graduation presentation ceremonies held? Updated
• When can I enrol in summer school?
• I’ve accepted my offer, when can I enrol?
• What am I responsible for organising with an overseas study experience?
• What are my options to apply for a scholarship if I am experiencing financial hardship?
• How do I submit an assignment in MyUni (Canvas)?
• What after-hours car parking is available on campus?
• I'm getting an enrolment error, what should I do?
• Can I start a language midyear?
• I'm getting a login error with the Echo360 app. What do I do?
• How do I apply for Honours in the Faculty of Sciences, Engineering, and Technology? Updated
• What differences should I be aware of when considering a self-reporting program rather than an exchange or study tour?
• Can I take a leave of absence or break from Honours in the Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics?
• What bicycle facilities are available on campus? Updated
• What textbooks will I need for my courses, and when should I purchase these?
• Where is the Maths Learning Centre (MLC) and when is it open? Updated
• How many units does a subject have?
• How will I know if I can count an overseas study tour towards my degree?
• How can I change my contact details?
• What type of feedback can I leave in the SELT survey?
• I am dissatisfied with my exclusion from my program due to unsatisfactory academic progress - what can I do? Updated
• Is there an after-hours security escort? Updated
• How do I join a Zoom meeting?
• I have mobility difficulties and can’t manage stairs. Will I be able to access my lecture theatre/tutorial room? Updated
• Where can I find an internship or work experience?
• Can I print without my student ID card?
• Am I eligible for Commonwealth support and HECS-HELP?
• Are there any resources available to help me improve my online study skills and assist me with assignment preparation and avoiding plagiarism?
• What scholarships are available at the University, and how can I apply?
• I can't find clear enough information about courses for my exchange. Should I contact the host university?
• Do I need to register with a National Board to study medicine, dentistry or oral health?
• How can I arrange temporary accommodation in Adelaide? Updated
• I am an international student arriving after Orientation; what do I do? Updated
• I'm unable to print.
• How can I listen to what's playing on the big screen on level 4 of Hub Central?
• Who can I talk to if I have disputes with my landlord? Updated
• How do I notify the University of my change of citizenship or residency status?
• What is a graduate program?
• What am I allowed and not allowed to do during my online proctored exam? Updated
• When can I enrol if I commence my program midyear?
• What help can I get with my studies as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student? Updated
• Where can I find initial training for LinkedIn Learning? Updated
• Why have I been given an alternative assessment for my exam? Updated
• My testamur was damaged or destroyed by an Australian natural disaster (i.e. bushfires/flood). How do I obtain a replacement? Updated
• How do I make an appointment with a Wirltu Yarlu Cultural Advisor? Updated
• If I study online, do I have to attend any face-to-face classes or exams?
• As an alum, how can I stay in touch and get involved with the University? Updated
• How can I activate my LinkedIn Learning account? Updated
• I met the eligibility requirements for my first preference of exchange university. Why didn’t I get an offer there?
• Where can I find the most recently released LinkedIn Learning courses? Updated
• How do I make an appointment to see a Disability Advisor? Updated
• Can I request a particular school for my teaching placement?
• How do I change or correct the details on my Overseas Student Health Cover? Updated
• Does my OSHC include ambulance cover? Updated
• How can I get help writing university reports and assignments? Updated
• How soon after receiving my results can I order an academic transcript?
• Can the Maths Learning Centre help students beyond first-year level? Updated
• How can I find the course selection for my electives in the Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics?
• Can I enrol for the next semester if I have been excluded?
• How can I pay my fees?
• How do I know if I am eligible for assistance in relation to a disability? Updated
• Can I speak to a student who has been on exchange to my host institution in the past?
• How do I find the majors and minors that I can study in my degree in the Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics?
• How do I get in contact with students who are studying overseas at the same time I am, or who have studied overseas before?
• If I have an Access Plan which includes extensions, do I need to apply for an extension using the Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment (MACA) Policy? Updated
• I am an elite athlete and have commitments during the exam period. How can I make alternative arrangements to sit my exam? Updated
• Can I apply for more than one project for the Adelaide Summer Research Scholarship?
• I have a condition/disability. Can I request an extension for an assignment? Updated
• When will I receive my scholarship payments?
• What funding can I receive towards a Study Overseas experience?
• Can I get extensions on assignments (sick/medical/personal reasons etc)?
• Where do I direct questions about enrolment at the University of Adelaide while I’m on an overseas exchange?
• What is PASS? Updated
• What is a Level III Finance course?
• How do I change some of the information I provided in my application to graduate? Updated
• Where is the lost property? Updated
• Do I have to have OSHC with the University’s preferred OSHC provider? Updated
• Can the Writing Centre help me write a resume to use in applying for jobs? Updated
• What if I have a concern about the proctor during my exam? Updated
• Does the University have an international alumni community? Updated
• Do I really have to get a doctor’s report/a letter from my bank/a reference from an academic/… for my exchange application to my host university?
• Why has my library item been recalled and the due date changed?
• What does "Welcome, No Access" in Access Adelaide mean?
• Where can I get advice to help me plan the practical experience requirement under my Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)? Updated
• How do I make an OSHC claim for health expenses? Updated
• What accommodation options will I have on exchange, and how do I secure my accommodation?
• What should I do after receiving a notice for overdue fees?
• What is ProctorU? Updated
• How do I top up my printing allowance?
• What should I do if I am not eligible for conferral or if I miss the application deadline? Updated
• How can I get extra help with my studies?
• What happens once I have completed the English Assist Program? Updated
• Am I eligible to apply for Honours in the Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics?
• What is the difference between the Australian Higher Education Graduation Statement (AHEGS) and an official academic transcript?
• What are the important dates?
• Is a First Aid certificate required before undertaking a teaching placements?
• What do I do if I missed my exam? Updated
• My online exam requires handwritten responses that must be scanned and uploaded. How do I do this? Updated
• Am I eligible for the airport pickup service if I am arriving with family members? Updated
• If I feel unwell during the exam, what should I do? Updated
• Do I need to attend classes?
• Does enrolling into the course on Access Adelaide mean I am accepted into the overseas study tour?
• How do I order a replacement ID card?
• Can I do a bridging course to qualify for a prerequisite? Updated
• What is EnrolMe?
• Can I borrow iPads from the library?
• How do I access my online proctored exam? Updated
• After accepting an offer to study oral health, dentistry, or medicine, what happens if I become a permanent resident?
• What is the Religious Centre?
• What is Multi-Factor Authentication/okta?
• How do I accept or decline my scholarship offer?
• How do I login to access library resources?
• What does it mean to have a Negative Service Indicator on my account?
• How can I find out who my course coordinator is?
• Can I use my mobile phone or smart watch to check the time during an exam? Updated
• How do I submit my assignments to the Adelaide Law School?
• Do I have to register to attend any Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS)? Updated
• Where is the "Goyder Pavilion" examination venue? Updated
• Following the Academic Progress process, if I achieve successful grades in consecutive teaching periods, will my GPA improve? Updated
• As an international student, can my children attend school while in Australia? Updated
• I am an alum of the University of Adelaide; how can I update my contact details? Updated
• I have been working in a school environment. Can I receive status toward my teaching placement?
• What is ADAPT?
• Why am I not receiving any emails from the University?
• I’m studying two degrees. Can I qualify for OS-HELP using both?
• Who do I contact if I have questions about my online program?
• Do I need to apply to graduate? Updated
• How do I get access to digital qualification documents in My eQuals? Updated
• Can I hire or buy my Academic Dress from a supplier other than GFP? Updated
• What kind of assistance can I get from the University if I have a disability? Updated
• What is the MicroMasters program in Big Data, and how does it fit into the Masters of Data Science? Updated
• How can I find a Justice of the Peace?
• Can I study part-time?
• What do I need to bring with me to the Writing Centre? Updated
• How do I get access to a particular building on campus?
• What are the main exam session times? Updated
• Where can I get research help for my course?
• Is there Microsoft training available through the University?
• How do I get in touch with my Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) provider? Updated
• Why give to the University of Adelaide? Updated
• What should I do during my Zoom session?
• What happens if I miss my enrolment open time?
• Why do I need Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)? Updated
• What are the Core Competency Courses?
• As a recent graduate, what careers services can I still access?
• Are there extra eligibility requirements if I want to study in another language on an exchange program?
• What will happen if there is a state lockdown when my in-person exam is scheduled? Updated
• When will I know where I’m going on exchange?
• When is the last date to enrol in courses?
• Do I need to include a cover letter with my job application?
• Am I still able to get career advice whilst interstate or overseas?
• What information do I need to provide to verify my identity during my exam? Updated
• Can I receive an exchange offer to more than one partner university in case one doesn’t accept me?
• Can I change my major or minor?
• How do I manage my enrolment in a Diploma in Languages and my primary degree?
• I was granted a replacement exam but sat the primary exam. Can I still sit the replacement exam? Updated
• When can I go on an overseas exchange?
• I think I may have been sexually assaulted. Who can I turn to for help? Updated
• I am required to watch a DVD for my course. Can I watch this in the library?
• I have trouble getting around campus due to my mobility difficulties. Who can I speak to? Updated
• How many OS-HELP loans can I get?
• Why are some of my results missing from my Australian Higher Education Graduation Statement (AHEGS)? Updated
• How do I submit a Turnitin assignment in MyUni (Canvas)?
• Is there a way to keep access to electronic resources after I’ve finished studying?
• What do I do if I need to change to part-time study but my scholarship requires a full-time enrolment?
• What is online exam supervision, proctoring or online invigilation? Updated
• I've received an exchange offer from Study Overseas. Am I now accepted to the host university?
• How can I change the order of names to appear on my testamur? Updated
• What is a graduate briefing, and when is it held? Updated
• Am I allowed to bring an Assistance Dog on campus with me? Updated
• Do I need to select a major or minor in the Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics?
• What is CareerHub?
• How do I register as a teacher?
• What do I do if my password is not working?
• Who will accompany the group on an overseas study tour?
• I am a parent of a student who is thinking of, or already, studying overseas. Where can I get information?
• How can I appeal my exclusion from my program due to unsatisfactory academic progress? Updated
• What if I have a printing error?
• I am having technical issues with Zoom - what should I do?
• As a cross-institutional student, how do I send my results to my home University?
• What Scholarships are available for Study Overseas experiences?
• What is a Dean's Certificate and how do I order one?
• Can I take a toilet break during my online proctored exam? Updated
• How many hours can I work if I am on a scholarship to undertake a research degree?
• Can I use my dictionary or notes during the exam? Updated
• Do I have to pay tuition fees for the enrolment course for an overseas study tour?
• Can I work while studying on a student visa? Updated
• If I am taking my final course in summer or winter school, can I still graduate in the next round of graduations? Updated
• I am a student in the Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics studying; how do I structure my major and minor?
• Is it possible to have a sealed and stamped transcript sent directly to my employer/third party?
• What are the contact hours for summer or winter school?
• I am undertaking my studies from another country and don’t have a student ID card. What should I use? Updated
• How do I renew my student ID card?
• I don’t speak another language. Can I go on exchange?
• Is it possible to use a preferred name at Uni?
• Will my scholarship affect my Centrelink payments?
• How do I register for the Elite Athlete Support scheme? Updated
• Where can I park on the day of the graduation ceremony? Updated
• As an international student, where should I go if I am having problems? Updated
• I will complete my program at the end of the year. Can I apply for a postgraduate program before I graduate?
• How are permitted resources for my exam checked by the proctor? Updated
• Should I link my account in My eQuals with a private email address?
• I am an international student and am bringing my family with me to Australia. What kind of support services are available? Updated
• Are there enrolment information sessions I can attend?
• Can I study the Diploma in Languages by itself?
• I am a student in the Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics. What is the minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) I need to study overseas?
• Will I have to pay to apply to my exchange host university?
• I am feeling stressed and anxious about my exams. Who can I talk to?
• What is a study tour and how do I apply?
• According to MyUni, I'm enrolled in an incorrect course, but when I go into Access Adelaide I have enrolled in the correct course.
• I'm travelling to Australia - what items am I prohibited from bringing into the country? Updated
• What is an assessment centre?
• What happens to my Multi-factor authentication (MFA) if I change my phone or phone number?
• Is there a limit to how much HELP I can get?
• How do I find employers who are looking for graduates in my field?
• What courses are available in Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS)? Updated
• How will I receive information about my conferral and presentation event? Updated
• Will I need to pay a gap when using my OSHC? Updated
• Can I book Hub Central for an event?
• Can I go on exchange in the Diploma in Languages or Arts?
• What is covered by my OSHC policy from Medibank? Updated
• Why do I have to provide more than one preference in my Study Overseas exchange application?
• Where do I fill out a HECS-HELP form for my program?
• I am a student in the Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics; am I eligible to apply for an internship?
• Am I eligible for FEE-HELP assistance?
• Where do I go for non-emergency medical help? Updated
• How long is the graduation ceremony? Updated
• How can I request that something be added or removed from my Australian Higher Education Graduation Statement (AHEGS)? Updated
• Can I do a practice exam to see what it’s like before my real online proctored exam? Updated
• When do I find out my exam results? Updated
• Where can I return my library books?
• Can I get extra help with my English language skills while studying at the University of Adelaide? Updated
• What is Endnote?
• How do I access Studiosity? Updated
• Who do I contact in an emergency regarding a Study Overseas experience?
• How can I find out who else is going on exchange to my host institution?
• Can I study a major in psychology as part of my Bachelor of Arts?
• Can the Maths Learning Centre help students with stats courses? Updated
• I've paid my overdue account, why can't I enrol?
• When will I receive my Australian Higher Education Graduation Statement (AHEGS)? Updated
• When does my Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) cover start? Updated
• Can I start the Diploma in Languages in the second or third year of my degree?
• Where do I purchase a lab coat, hard toe boots, overalls and safety glasses? Updated
• Can I join a sporting club?
• How will PNGs be used in my application to the Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours)?
• How soon after transferring into a new program can I enrol? Updated
• Do I need extras cover for OSHC? Updated
• Are conversations with Disability Support confidential? Updated
• Where can I live if I'm studying at the Roseworthy campus? Updated
• I have two passports. Which one should I travel on for my Study Overseas experience?
• I haven't applied to graduate in MyAdelaide and no longer have access. How can I apply now?
• What is a Wirltu Yarlu Student Support Officer? Updated
• I’ve received a Risk 1 Notice. Where can I get some help?
• What do I call my lecturer? Updated
• What can a Disability Advisor help me with? Updated
• As a first year student, can I apply to study overseas?
• How do I apply for an overseas exchange?
• What if I cannot meet a milestone deadline for my thesis?
• How can I collect my official academic transcript?
• Where can I start looking for employment?
• My first language is English, should I still do the English Assist Program? Updated
• When can I collect my testamur if my presentation event is in absentia? Updated
• There is an error on my Australian Higher Education Graduation Statement (AHEGS). What should I do? Updated
• When should I register my self-reporting program in SMART?
• What do I do if my program is not available through internal transfer? Updated
• Will I still be able to access the library after I have submitted my thesis?
• What is the difference between studying the Bachelor of Science and the Bachelor of Science (Advanced)? Updated
• Can I take a course from another university (cross-institutional study)?
• How can I be competitive in my job applications if I don't have any work experience?
• Is there a hearing augmentation system available within lecture theatres and classrooms? Updated
• How do I enrol correctly to complete my degree during the time period specified in my Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)? Updated
• What is a minor in the Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics?
• I am undertaking my studies from another country. Can I use a VPN to access MyUni?
• As an international student, can I undertake online, distance or cross-institutional study? Updated
• Where is the Sciences Engineering and Technology Student Success located? Updated
• Can the Bachelor of Science (Advanced) be done as part of a double degree? Updated
• Why do I need to take a photo at the start of the exam? Updated
• I'm having a problem downloading lectures.
• Where can I pay my parking fine?
• Is there any way for me to get my archived emails back?
• Do I have the right to object to possible examiners of my research thesis?
• If I study online, what will my testamur(parchment) say?
• What immunisations do I need for clinical placement?
• What can I expect from the Bachelor of Science (Veterinary Bioscience) as a mature age student? Updated
• How will I find out if I have been successful in being offered an Adelaide Summer Research Scholarship?
• I'm a Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics student and want to plan an overseas study experience - where do I start?
• Who can I direct feedback to about LinkedIn Learning? Updated
• If I'm due to graduate from multiple programs, can I receive all of my testamurs at one ceremony? Updated
• Are there any short overseas study options available to current students?
• What is the minimum number of units credit I need to be approved to receive from my exchange?
• Can my official academic transcript be posted to me?
• What will my personal information be used for? Updated
• I have been conferred, can I receive my testamur now? Updated
• How do I copy files using ADAPT?
• Can I sit my online proctored exam if I log in late? Updated
• What support services can I access while on exchange?
• What is an online LMS?
• What official documents will be available upon completing my program?
• Are my guests allowed to take photographs during the graduation ceremony? Updated
• How will I know that I have been accepted into my exchange by my host university?
• How can Study Overseas support me in organising my self-reporting program?
• How do I search for library resources?
• What do I need to prepare for teaching placements?
• How do I arrange my teaching placements?
• Who should I speak with in the University regarding my Show Cause notification for the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences?
• Can I borrow a laptop from the library?
• Will my Grade Point Average (GPA) be shown on my Australian Higher Education Graduation Statement (AHEGS)? Updated
• Do I need to apply for travel insurance for my Study Overseas experience?
• I hold citizenship/have previously lived in the country in which I wish to study on exchange. Is this ok?
• Does the University provide a service to help me travel between campuses? Updated
• What benefits are there for alumni? Updated
• How do I organise a Welcome to Country? Updated
• How can I join the library?
• How do I apply for a visa for my Study Overseas experience?
• I am a new international student. When should I arrive in Adelaide? Updated
• I can’t access a library electronic resource, what should I do?
• Can I enrol from overseas?
• How many teaching areas do I need for the Bachelor of Teaching or Master of Teaching?
• Does the University provide travel insurance for my exchange or study tour?
• I've committed to my exchange offer from Study Overseas. What's next?
• What date is my graduation ceremony? Updated
• How can I keep getting my Centrelink payments while studying overseas?
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What is a PhD?

• Types of Doctorates
• A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is the highest globally recognized postgraduate degree that higher education institutions can award.
• PhDs are awarded to candidates who undertake original and extensive research in a particular field of study.
• Full time PhD programmes typically last three to four years, whilst part time PhD programmes typically last six to seven years.
• A PhD can lead to an academia teaching role or a career in research. A PhD can also equip you with skills suitable for a wide range of jobs unrelated to your research topic or academia.

Definition of a PhD – A Doctor of Philosophy (commonly abbreviated to PhD , Ph.D or a DPhil ) is a university research degree awarded from across a broad range of academic disciplines; in most countries, it is a terminal degree, i.e. the highest academic degree possible.

PhDs differ from undergraduate and master’s degrees in that PhDs are entirely research-based rather than involving taught modules (although doctoral training centres (DTCs) offer programmes that start with a year of lecture-based teaching to help develop your research skills prior to starting your project).

In most English-speaking countries, those that complete a PhD use the title “Doctor” (typically abbreviated to Dr) in front of their names and are referred to as such within academic and/or research settings. Those that work in fields outside of academia may decide not to use the formal doctor title but use post-nominal letters (e.g. John Smith PhD); it’s unusual though for someone to use both the Doctor title and post-nominal letters in their name.

PhD vs Doctorate

A PhD and a professional doctorate are both research-based terminal degrees.

However, where a PhD focuses on original research mostly around theoretical concepts, a professional doctorate focuses on examining existing knowledge to solve real-life, practical problems.

While there is much crossover between the two, a PhD is generally better suited for an individual to wants to advance the knowledge and understanding in their field, and a professional doctorate degree is better suited to a working professional who wants to better be able to apply knowledge and understanding to their field.

What Are the Entry Requirements for a PhD?

To be accepted on to a PhD programme, students usually need to hold at least a high ( 2:1 and above ) undergraduate degree that is related to the field of research that they want to pursue. A PhD candidate may also be expected to hold a Master’s degree , however, this does not mean you must have one, as it is still possible to enrol into a PhD without a Master’s .

Self-funded courses may sometimes be more relaxed in relation to entry requirements. It may be possible to be accepted onto a self-funded PhD programme with lower grades, though these students typically demonstrate their suitability for the role through professional work experience.

Whilst a distance learning project is possible , most PhD candidates will carry out their research over at least three years based at their university, with regular contact with two academic supervisors (primary and secondary). This is particularly the case for lab-based projects, however, some PhD projects require spending time on-site away from university (e.g. at a specialist research lab or at a collaborating institution abroad).

How Long Does a PhD Take?

Typically, full-time PhDs last 3-4 years and part-time PhDs last 6-7 years. However, at the discretion of the university, the thesis writing-up period can be extended by up to four years.

Although most doctoral programmes start in September or October, they are generally much more flexible than taught-courses and can start at any time of the year.

How Much Does a PhD Cost?

Tuition fees for UK and EU students vary between £3,000 and £6,000 per year, with the average tuition fee of £4,712 per year for 2023/24 programmes.

Tuition fees increase considerably for international students, varying between £16,000 to £25,000 per year, with an average tuition fee of £19,600 per year .

Nonetheless, most students will secure PhD funding in the form of studentships, scholarships and bursaries to help pay for these fees. These funding opportunities can either be partial, which cover tuition fees only, or full, which cover both tuition fees and living expenses.

UK national students can also apply for Doctoral Loans from Student Finance England if they are unable to secure funding.

Finding a PhD has never been this easy – search for a PhD by keyword, location or academic area of interest.

What Does a PhD Involve?

To be awarded a PhD, a doctoral student is required to produce a substantial body of work that adds new knowledge to their chosen field.

A PhD programme will typically involve four key stages:

Stage 1: Literature Review

The first year of a PhD involves attending regular meetings with your supervisors and carrying out a search on previously published work in your subject area. This search will be used to produce a literature review which should set the context of the project by explaining the foundation of what is currently known within the field of research, what recent developments have occurred, and where the gaps in knowledge are. In most cases, this will be an extension of your research proposal should you have produced one as part of your application. The literature review should conclude by outlining the overarching aims and objectives of the research project. This stage of setting achievable goals which are original and contribute to the field of research is an essential first step in a successful PhD.

The supervisor is the main point of contact through the duration of a PhD – but remember: they are there to mentor, not to teach, or do it for you . It will be your responsibility to plan, execute and monitor your own work as well as to identify gaps in your own knowledge and address them.

Stage 2: Research

The second year (and prehapse some of your third year) is when you work on your research. Having identified novel research questions from your review of the literature, this is where you collect your data to help answer these questions. How you do this will depend on the nature of your doctoral research: for example, you may design and run experiments in a lab alongside other PhD students or visit excavation sites in remote regions of the world. You should check in regularly with your supervisors to update them and run any ideas or issues past them.

Have the structure and chapters of your thesis in mind as you develop and tackle your research questions. Working with a view of publishing your work will be very valuable later on.

Stage 3: Write up of Thesis

The next key stage of a PhD is writing a doctoral thesis , which typically takes from anywhere between three months to one year. A thesis is a substantial body of work that describes the work and outcomes of the research over the previous two to three years. It should tell a detailed story of the PhD project – focusing on:

• The motivations for the research questions identified from the literature review.
• The methodologies used, results obtained, and a comprehensive analysis and discussion of the findings.
• A detailed discussion of the key findings with an emphasis on the original contributions made to your field of research and how this has been impactful.

There is no universal rule for the length of a PhD thesis, but general guidelines set the word count between 80,000 to 100,000 words.

For your thesis to be successful, it needs to adequately defend your argument and provide a unique or increased insight into your field that was not previously available.

Stage 4: Attending the Viva

A viva voce , most commonly referred to as just a ‘ viva ‘, is an interview-style examination where the PhD student is required to engage in a critical appraisal of their work and defend their thesis against at least two examiners. The examiners will ask questions to check the PhD student has an in-depth understanding of the ideas and theories proposed in their thesis, and whether they have developed the research skills that would be expected of them.

The viva is one of the final steps in achieving a PhD, and typically lasts at least two hours, but this duration can vary depending on the examiners, the university and the PhD project itself.

Once you have done the viva – you’re on the home stretch. You will typically be asked to make some amendments to your thesis based on the examiner’s feedback. You are then ready to submit your final thesis for either:

• PhD – If you pass the requirements you will be awarded a PhD degree (most common outcome),
• MPhil – If you failed to meet requirements for a PhD, you may be downgraded to an MPhil degree (uncommon outcome),
• Fail – No award is given, typically for cases of plagiarism (extremely uncommon outcome).

What Is It Like to Undertake a PhD?

We’re often asked what it is like to undertake a PhD study. Unfortunately, this isn’t a simple answer to this question as every research project is different.

To help give insight into the life of a PhD student, we’ve interviewed PhD students at various stages of their programmes and put together a series of PhD Student Interviews . Check out the link to find out what a PhD is like and what advice they have to offer you.

What Are the Benefits of A PhD?

A PhD is the highest globally recognised postgraduate degree that higher education institutions can award. The degree, which is awarded to candidates who demonstrate original and independent research in a particular field of study, is not only invaluable in itself, but sets you up with invaluable skills and traits.

Career Opportunities

First, a PhD prepares you for a career in academia if you wish to continue in this area. This takes form as a career in the Higher Education sector, typically as a lecturer working their way to becoming a professor leading research on the subject you’ve studied and trained in.

Second, a PhD also enables the opportunity for landing a job in a research & development role outside of the academic environment. Examples of this include laboratory work for a private or third sector company, a governmental role and research for commercial and industrial applications.

Transferable Skills

Finally, in possessing a PhD degree, you can show to employers that you have vital skills that make you an asset to any company. Three examples of the transferable skills that you gain through a PhD are effective communication, time management, and report writing.

• Communication – presenting your work in written and oral forms using journal papers and podium presentations, shows your ability to share complex ideas effectively and to those with less background knowledge than you. Communication is key in the professional environment, regardless of the job.
• Time management – The ability to prioritise and organise tasks is a tremendous asset in the professional industry. A PhD holder can use their qualification to demonstrate that they are able to manage their time, arrange and follow a plan, and stick to deadlines.
• Report writing – Condensing three years of work into a thesis demonstrates your ability to filter through massive amounts of information, identify the key points, and get these points across to the reader. The ability to ‘cut out the waffle’ or ‘get to the point’ is a huge asset in the professional industry.

Aside from the above, you also get to refer to yourself as a Doctor and add fancy initials after your name!

What Can I Do After a PhD?

One of the most desirable postdoctoral fields is working within independent Research and Development (R&D) labs and new emerging companies. Both industries, especially R&D labs, have dedicated groups of PhD graduates who lead research activities, design new products and take part in crucial strategic meetings. Not only is this a stimulating line of work, but the average salaries in R&D labs and emerging start-ups are lucrative. In comparison, an undergraduate with five years of experience within their given field will, on average, likely earn less than a new PhD graduate taking on a R&D position.

It’s a common misunderstanding that PhDs only opens the door for an academic career such as university lecturers and training providers. Although obtaining a PhD opens these doors, the opportunities extend far beyond educational roles. In fact, recent data from the UK’s Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) indicates only 23% of PhD graduates take a position in educational roles . This low percentage is primarily because PhD graduates have a wide range of skills that make them suitable for a broad spectrum of roles. This is being seen first hand by the increasing number of PhD graduates who are entering alternative roles such as research, writing, law and investment banking.

How Do I Find a PhD?

We appreciate that finding a PhD programme to undertake can be a relatively daunting process. According to Higher Education Student Statistics , over 22,000 PhDs were awarded in 2016/17 within the United Kingdom alone. Clearly there are a huge number of PhD programmes available. This can sometimes be confusing for prospective doctorates, particularly when different programmes are advertised in different places. Often, it is difficult to know where to look or where to even start. We’ve put together a list of useful sources to find the latest PhD programmes:

• A great place to start is with our comprehensive and up-to-date database of available PhD positions .
• Assuming you are still at university, speak to an existing PhD supervisor within your department.
• Attend as many postgraduate open days as you can. Whilst there, speak to current PhD students and career advisors to get an awareness of what PhDs are on offer.
• Visit the postgraduate section of university websites and the PhD Research Council section of the UKRI website.

Browse PhDs Now

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Join thousands of other students and stay up to date with the latest PhD programmes, funding opportunities and advice.

What does conferral date mean?

This is the date recorded on your transcript signifying when your degree was officially recognized. All requirements must be met by this date. Dates are published in the University's Academic Calendar.

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What does conferral mean?

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Updated 31/08/2023 04.22 PM

'Conferral' or 'conferred' means you have officially been awarded your degree.

Conferral happens at the next scheduled graduation ceremony after you have completed your course, either in your presence or 'in absentia' if you can't make it to the ceremony.

You can't delay the conferral of your award (you'll graduate at the ceremony whether you attend or not), but you can take part in a future ceremony as a walk through (where you participate in a graduation ceremony as though you were graduating but have already had your award conferred). 

To be eligible for conferral, you must have completed all requirements for your award and have no outstanding fees.

Graduation dates and information can be found on the Graduation ceremonies webpage . 

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So..What is the difference between a PROGRAM COMPLETION DATE & GRADUATION DATE?!

August 2015 - When applying for Initial Certification, if the Program Completion and Degree Conferred dates are more than 30 days apart, AANPCP requires receipt of a letter from the NP Program Director or Academic Dean verifying the Program Completion date.

A : The Program Completion date is the date all courses & clinical hours of an applicant's NP Track are completed.

A : The Degree Conferred date is the date one is awarded their graduate degree or post-graduate certificate.

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What is the difference between an official final and unofficial transcript?

Official final transcript(s) must be received either in the original sealed envelope (never opened) or emailed via a secured website from the registrar's office

Official final transcript(s) will have the university insignia, degree completed, and date degree awarded/conferred

Faxed transcripts are not official, unless sent from the registrar

Unsealed, or tampered transcripts are not official

Unofficial transcript(s) must include the student's first and last name, however it will not be acceptable if the transcript was modified by the student/candidate

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Meaning of confer in English

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confer verb ( TALK )

• talk A group of men were talking in the street.
• speak Could I speak to you privately?
• say I couldn't hear what they were saying.
• chat We were just chatting about the party.
• have a chat We had a little chat over the fence.
• chatter They spent the morning chattering away.
• agent provocateur
• argue against something
• argue for something
• controversial
• controversialist
• no ifs, ands, or buts idiom
• no-platform
• no-platforming
• undiscussed
• war of words
• wash (something) up
• well argued

confer verb ( GIVE )

• give Give me that dirty plate.
• offer Your doctor should be able to offer advice.
• provide This booklet provides useful information about local services.
• supply The lake supplies the whole town with water.
• donate Four hundred dollars has been donated to the school book fund.
• accommodate
• accommodate someone with something
• administration
• arm someone with something
• hand something down
• hand something in
• hand something out
• hand something over
• reassignment

confer | Intermediate English

Confer | business english, examples of confer, translations of confer.

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mum's the word

said when you tell someone, or agree with someone, to keep something a secret

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• confer (TALK)
• confer (GIVE)
• Business    Verb
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[ k uh n- furd ]

Posthumously conferred awards will be presented to the deceased’s spouse or next-of-kin.

• the simple past tense and past participle of confer ( def ) .

Discover More

Other words from.

• un·con·ferred adjective
• well-con·ferred adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of conferred 1

Example Sentences

The presence of the Google Guaranteed badge on the profile and Local Pack may confer a consumer-trust advantage that will result in higher CTRs.

If infections don’t confer long-term immunity, that approach won’t work.

In return, the fungi become flush with essential nutrients and minerals, a number of which can confer antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer benefits to humans.

He suggests that the fluorescent pigments absorb UV rays, emitting harmless blue light, though the study can’t say precisely how the pigments confer protection.

High housing prices also work against the wage advantage that cities confer, especially for less-educated workers in expensive cities like New York and San Francisco.

After Doar conferred with police and protestors, the angry antagonists withdrew.

The stewardess conferred with the captain,” Caro said, “and they found us this little hotel in Paris.

In theory, innocent until proven guilty is a principle conferred on all of us.

When Nancy Pelosi was speaker, the gold medal was authorized for golfer Arnold Palmer and conferred by Boehner.

A true icon never begged for approval or appreciation: both were conferred upon them.

Thereupon the Prince went to Westminster Abbey and conferred knighthood upon his companions.

The application to the Government for remuneration for benefits conferred on the public was unsuccessful.

A corporation has no lien on its stock for the indebtedness of the owner unless conferred by charter or statute.

They added that it would hardly be disputed that the Railways had on the whole conferred great benefits upon Ireland.

Because Social Covenanting, approved in Scripture, conferred descending obligation.

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