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Doctorate of Philosophy

As is the case with other Faculties, the Faculty of Law offers a research degree, the Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD), which can be undertaken on a full-time or half-time basis.

The academic standing required for acceptance as a candidate shall be an Honours degree of Bachelor of at least a IIA standard or a degree of Master of the University of Adelaide or the equivalent thereof.

A full-time candidate for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy shall have completed the work and submitted the thesis in not less than two years and not more than four years, and a half time candidate in not less than four years and not more than eight years, from the date of commencement of candidature.

Structured Program
Each candidate commencing a PhD must complete a Structured Program of activities within the first twelve months of candidature (preferably the first six months for candidates with standard entry qualifications). It is in the best interest of the student if the Program can be completed in the shortest possible time. A PhD candidate will be a probationary candidate until successful completion of the Program. The Program will include the presentation of a detailed research proposal and the completion of any other courses or training that may be deemed necessary. The Faculty of Law may require candidates commencing Master degrees by research to participate in the Structured Program.

Residential Requirements
PhD students who wish to undertake a substantial part of their candidature outside the University should apply for admission to the Split PhD program. A candidate must complete a period of at least twelve months in residence at The University of Adelaide. At least six months of this period must be at the commencement of candidature in order to complete the structured program of activities. The Head of Department must ensure that appropriate external supervision and facilities are available before recommending to the Board of Graduate Studies that a candidate be permitted to enrol in the Split Program.

Split Program
Applications for enrolment in the Split Program must be made on the appropriate form, obtainable from the Registrar, Graduate Studies.

Availability of Supervision
A person who is contemplating enrolling for a research higher degree should discuss the proposed candidature with the Associate Dean (Research) to ascertain whether supervision is available. A decision must be made before the commencement of the candidature, on the general area of study and the supervisor(s) to be appointed to guide the candidate in the research. Since it is important that the supervisor is active in the general area of research which is chosen, it is clear that the choice of the field of study and supervisor are inter-related and decisions on both matters will need to be made together.

Annual Review
It is University policy that the progress of higher degree students is formally reviewed at least once annually. The Review report serves to keep the Registrar, Graduate Studies, informed of the progress of the student and is the means by which the University assesses whether or not the candidature should continue. It is also an important means by which any problems concerning the student and/or the supervisor(s) can be identified and dealt with as soon as possible. For these reasons, all higher degree research students, including those who are full-time, half-time, part-time, external, on intermission, on leave of absence, on the split program and writing-up outside, must participate in the Annual Review and complete and return the Re-enrolment form to ensure their continued enrolment in the following year.

It is required that at least two different academic staff members are involved in the Review of each student: one is the student's supervisor and the other should be the Postgraduate Coordinator, Head of Department, Deputy Head or a senior member of the Department's academic staff.

It is the students responsibility to ensure that both the Annual Review and Re-enrolment forms are completed and returned to the Registrar, Graduate Studies, by the due date. Failure to return the forms by the due date may incur a late fee and/or the discontinuation of enrolment.

PhD in Law 2005 Flyer: flyer (pdf 635kB)(pdf)

Further information and application forms for research degrees can be obtained from: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/graduatecentre/scholarships/postgrad/pgforms.html

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