UNSW Canberra

Professional Doctorate

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Find solutions to problems that benefit business & community

At UNSW Canberra, we’re committed to transforming world-class research into innovations that improve lives and tackle some of the greatest challenges facing society today.  

The Professional Doctorate program combines doctoral research and coursework components with professional practice and is designed to meet the needs of industry and professional groups. Through workplace-based projects, you will generate and analyse evidence to address real-world problems and produce a thesis that reflects applied investigation, problem-solving, and original research.  

This degree is multi-disciplinary and linked to the fulfilment of self-directed career development and life-long, personalised learning. You'll collaborate with industry, government, and community partners to find innovative solutions that benefit business and community at a local, national, and global level.  

Our state-of-the-art facilities and superior partnerships, together with the strength of our research focused community create exceptional career development opportunities for higher degree research (HDR) students by developing the capacity of individuals to lead the development of knowledge in their professional contexts. 

Explore your research options

Explore our available Professional Doctorate openings and be inspired to join a diverse group of scholars and research students making positive impacts worldwide. 

Please note: academic credits from previous study do not apply for Master of Philosophy and Professional Doctorate programs.

Cyber Security

UNSW Canberra is one of the leading research facilities for cyber security offering a range of doctoral opportunities in the areas of cyber security. With an internationally recognised team of researchers, we deliver immediate and high impact outcomes.
Course code 1748
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Information Technology

Take your IT expertise to the highest professional level. The professional doctorate in Information Technology from UNSW Canberra is a unique and flexible course allowing you to work in the field of IT while completing your professional doctorate.
Course code 1743
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Project Management

This program combines rigorous research training and substantial opportunity to work on independent research projects with world renowned academics. You’ll develop the skills and knowledge to address meaningful problems facing consumers, employees, managers, organisations, industries and communities.
Course code 1742
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Public Management

The professional doctorate in public management provides an opportunity to combine a doctoral thesis with disciplinary and methodologically based coursework. The research and thesis offers students the opportunity to research a real-world, work-based problem or issue with the objective to make a novel contribution to practice.
Course code 1739
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Systems Engineering

Students in the systems engineering doctoral degree program gain a deeper understanding of complex engineering systems. You’ll learn how to manage systems that incorporate technological, social, cultural, and environmental components that have an impact on inputs, outputs, and interactions within systems.
Course code 1741
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Scholarships & funding

UNSW offers a wide range of scholarships and funding to both domestic and international students, at all levels of study. Exceptional research candidates can apply for scholarships to undertake a higher degree by research. Scholarships may include an annual stipend, tuition fee payment and student health cover.

Find a research supervisor

UNSW Canberra academics are leaders in their fields and are eager to work with emerging researchers from around the world. The expertise of our scholars covers a wide breadth of research areas. They will guide and support you through your higher degree postgraduate research study.

Access to world-class teaching & research facilities

We’re home to several cutting-edge facilities dedicated to finding solutions to the world’s most complex problems. Our purpose-built workshops, laboratories, and specialised training facilities make UNSW Canberra the ideal location to gain hands-on experience and prepare you for your future career.

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