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Research Higher Degrees

Research Higher Degrees at the University of Newcastle

The University of Newcastle values the role that research plays in its achievements and our aim is to attract and support talented, keen researchers. It is research and scholarship, after all, that underpin our teaching and creative activity.

A research higher degree involves in-depth study and commitment to understand existing information, to develop new data or ideas, and with the careful assistance of your supervisor, to distil these into a well-structured and insightful research thesis. Your thesis will then be examined by experts from around the world for the significance of your contribution to your field of study.

You can choose to undertake a research higher degree at the University of Newcastle after completing an honours degree or equivalent prior research learning. There are two important aims for research higher degrees:

To complete a carefully supervised research program that represents a significant contribution to the particular field of study
To provide training in undertaking research in your field of study

As a research higher degree candidate you may be eligible to spend time in overseas research institutions. You may also have the opportunity of interacting with visitors from overseas and from other Australian groups when they come to Newcastle.

Research opportunities

The University of Newcastle conducts research in a vast range of areas:

Our researchers have discovered that nerve cells affected by Macular Degeneration cope with the disease by growing new cell connections. These findings provide critical insight into the disease, useful for investigations into therapeutic treatments.
We have discovered a 'placental clock' that decides when a baby will be born, developed tests to identify women at risk of premature birth, and have developed paint-on vaccines for common infections.
Our health researchers have recently shown that melanoma cells can be destroyed by infecting them with a common cold virus.
We have discovered that the marsupial lion Thylacoleo carnifex, which roamed Australia during the ice age, had the strongest bite force for its size of any large carnivorous mammal.
The University of Newcastle is currently part of a global research program to find radical new ways of extracting minerals from the earth. In total $8.4 million was awarded to this collaborative project by the Australian Research Council.
We are examining how globalisation and regional integration affects local communities and national societies in order to increase our understanding of the complex processes which are shaping the region in which we live.

Scholarships

Each year we offer a range of scholarships to research higher degree candidates. In 2007 we have offered a total of 90 domestic and 30 international scholarships to assist candidates with their studies.

Prospectus

Further information on Research Higher Degrees is available in our prospectus for domestic candidates and our prospectus for international candidates.

Note: New information regarding closing dates/start dates

Closing dates apply for certain programs (eg PhD Clinical Psychology and PhD Health Psychology close 5 October. Domestic Scholarship applications close 31 October and International Scholarship applications now close 31 August each year).

However as a general rule, research higher degree candidates may now commence on almost any weekday of the year. Closing dates are not enforced for general candidature applications

Feedback

We value feedback from our RHD candidates. If you would like to make a suggestion or ask a question please send an email to: research@newcastle.edu.au

Want more information?

Domestic students:

Phone: 02 4921 6537
Email: research@newcastle.edu.au

International students:

Phone: +61 2 49 21 6595

Email: international-admissions@newcastle.edu.au