So you'd like to do a PhD at SICS?
What do you need to know? Here's a step-by-step guide to get you started.
The first step is to identify the topic that you might like to pursue; as part of the application process you will need to provide some details on your proposed research ideas to choose possible supervisors. You will need to take a look at the literature in your chosen field and start to write some initial ideas for your proposed area of research, in terms of the problem/research questions you might investigate, some of the relevant research literature in the area, and the proposed methodologies/methods you might like to pursue. This will give us a starting place for an initial conversation about how your project might best fit with current gaps in the research, as well as areas of staff expertise here in the School. We encourage you to send us a brief document (around two pages) that serves as a preliminary proposal, for us to share with potential supervisors as part of the application process.
We can offer supervision for both full-time or part-time students, and to both internal and online students. You can study either on one of our campuses, or online from any location in the world. Students work with their supervisory team to prepare for the endorsement of their proposed research and in all stages of the PhD process. We admit students in all three sessions of study, so you can begin the application process at any time. It is important to note that this process may take a number of weeks or months, depending on the availability of supervisors, amount of documentation to be gathered, etc.
Take a look at the Faculty of Arts and Education's PhD course (i.e., program) overview details. This website provides details on the structure of the PhD, admission requirements, study costs, etc. You will need to gather relevant documents (e.g., transcripts) so that they are available as part of the application process. It's important to review this website for the specific information we require.
Take a look at the SICS staff profiles to see who might be a good fit to supervise your work. This may also give you some ideas re: possible topics and/or ways to narrow things a bit. At the admissions stage, we require a minimum of two staff members to supervise – i.e., one to be Principal Supervisor and one to be a Co-Supervisor – but we can add other members to the team after you've started the program, once the proposal starts to take shape.
Once you have an idea of your research topic, possible supervisors and the general requirements for application and admission, please contact the HDR Coordinator, Professor Philip Hider, to discuss your proposal. He will answer any questions you may have about the PhD process itself, as well as the application/admissions process.
Professor Philip Hider
School of Information Studies
Charles Sturt University
Locked Bag 588
WAGGA WAGGA NSW 2678
Australia
Email: phider@csu.edu.au
Tel: +61 2 6933 2733
Once you and Professor Hider have discussed your proposed application, your potential supervisors may invite you to discuss your work by video or teleconference (e.g., through Zoom). You may be asked questions about your proposed research topic, your previous experience, your career plans, etc.
At this stage in the process, we will have all the information needed to process your application for admission. You need to follow the "Apply Now" button on this page PhD course overview page. Once your application is received it will be reviewed by the School, by the Faculty of Arts and Education and by the Research Office before you are notified of a decision.