Doctor of Philosophy
UC's Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) involves extensive, sustained, original research in your chosen subject. Learn more about doing a PhD through Te Kura T?ura | UC Graduate School.
The UC Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is a research-only degree, carried out under expert supervision and using world-class facilities. At UC you can complete a PhD in over 70 subjects, joining over 1,000 students from more than 60 nations.
A PhD involves extensive, sustained, and original research in your chosen subject, with the results being presented in a thesis that will contribute to intellectual knowledge of the field. It is a mark of intellectual ability, self-discipline, and commitment. A PhD prepares you for a number of careers, including as an academic.
Contact the relevant department for information about these subject areas:
Accounting
Antarctic Studies
Anthropology
Art History
Art Theory
Astronomy
Audiology
Biochemistry
Bioengineering
Biological Sciences
Biotechnology
Cellular and Molecular Biology
Chemical and Process Engineering
Chemistry
Chinese
Cinema Studies (as an English major)
Civil Engineering
Classics
Computational and Applied Mathematical Sciences
Computer Science
Criminal Justice
Cultural Studies
Data Science
Disaster Risk and Resilience
Earthquake Engineering
Ecology
Economics
Education
Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Engineering Geology
Engineering Management
English
Environmental Science
European Studies
Finance
Fire Engineering
Forest Engineering
Forestry
French
Geography
Geology
German
Health Sciences
Higher Education
History
Human-Animal Studies
Human Interface Technology
Human Services
Industrial and Organisational Psychology
Information Systems
Japanese
Journalism
Law
Linguistics
Management
M?ori and Indigenous Studies
Marketing
Mathematical Physics
Mathematics
Mathematics and Philosophy
Mechanical Engineering
Media and Communication
Medical Physics
Medical Physics (Clinical)
Microbiology
Music
Pacific Studies
Philosophy
Physics
Political Science and International Relations
Product Design
Psychology
Russian
Science Education
Social Work
Sociology
Spanish
Speech and Language Sciences
Statistics
Taxation
Te Reo M?ori
Transportation Engineering
Water Resource Management
Campus Information
Ilam Campus
UC is based on the main Ilam campus in Christchurch, but we also have a number of other locations. These include Dovedale campus, Arts Centre, Nelson campus, and our field stations
Intakes
- Jan
- Feb
- March
- April
- May
- June
- July
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Application Processing Time in Days: 60
Application Process
Minimum English Language Requirements
| English Level Description | IELTS (1.0 -9.0) | TOEFL IBT (0-120) | TOEFL CBT (0-300) | PTE (10-90) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expert | 9 | 120 | 297-300 | 86-90 | |
| Very Good | 8.5 | 115-119 | 280-293 | 83-86 | |
| Very Good | 8 | 110-114 | 270-280 | 79-83 | |
| Good | 7.5 | 102-109 | 253-267 | 73-79 | |
| Good | 7 | 94-101 | 240-253 | 65-73 | |
| Competent | 6.5 | 79-93 | 213-233 | 58-65 | |
| Competent | 6 | 60-78 | 170-210 | 50-58 | |
| Modest | 5.5 | 46-59 | 133-210 | 43-50 | |
| Modest | 5 | 35-45 | 107-133 | 36-43 | |
| Limited | 4 | 32-34 | 97-103 | 30-36 | |
| Extremely Limited | < 4 | < 31 | < 93 | < 30 |
Job Opportunity Potential
All courses offer work-related experience (WRE) as part of your course. They're designed to prepare you for work in industries related to your studies.
Finding work experience shouldn't be difficult when you're a student at Canterbury Christ Church University. With strong connections across different industries, we provide a variety of different WRE opportunities. These can include:
mini or short-term placements
live projects
industry-set briefs
research.
You'll also be able to benefit from employability sessions as part of your course. These range from guest lectures, alumni visits, careers fairs, and location-based field trips.
There are plenty of other opportunities to gain valuable and relevant work experience outside your degree. Many of our teaching staff have strong connections with businesses and organisations, offering the possibility of gaining further work experience, internships, or placements.
You may even be eligible for some financial support via our Career Development Fund. Reaching your career goals should always be a possibility, so we ensure that you can do this regardless of your income. This fund can help you gain invaluable work experience without worrying about the cost. This can cover:
travel expenses
purchasing suitable workwear
ad-hoc childcare for the time you're working
specialist software needed to fulfil the role.
PSW Opportunity
- During study, all students on a student visa can work up to 20 hours per week during semester and full time during vacations.
- After completing Level 7 Bachelor’s Degree or Higher Qualification, a student will get a three years open post-study work visa.
- After completing Level 8 Post Graduate courses of 1 year, students get 1 year PSW.
Admission Requirement / Eligibility Criteria
Academic entry requirements
The academic entry requirements for admission to this qualification are:
- A qualification is equivalent to a New Zealand university bachelor's degree awarded in first or second class (division one) honors, with a strong research focus.
Qualification specific information
Admission to the qualification
- (a) A student, before enrolling for the degree, must be approved by the Dean of Postgraduate Research (or delegate) as having adequate qualifications, experience, and the ability to pursue the proposed course.
- (b) A student for the degree must have either:
- qualified for a New Zealand equivalent of a Bachelor's degree with First or Second Class (Division 1) Honours, or a Master's degree with Distinction; or
- been admitted with a degree of equivalent standing to those in (i).
- in special circumstances, the Dean of Postgraduate Research may approve the enrolment of a graduate who does not hold one of the required qualifications, but who has produced satisfactory evidence of adequate research experience, training and ability to pursue the degree.
Qualification information
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is a research-only degree carried out under expert supervision and using world-class facilities. At UC you can complete a PhD in over 70 subjects (listed below), joining over 1,000 students from more than 60 nations.
A PhD involves extensive, sustained and original research and study in your chosen subject, with the results being presented in a thesis that will contribute to intellectual knowledge of the field.
Enrolment in a PhD requires completion of a research-focused Honours or Master's degree, at First or Second Class (Division I) Honours or Distinction level (or equivalent).
Our Admissions team, in consultation with the host department, look at your qualifications and transcripts to ensure that you have the background required to complete a PhD. It is possible that you may be required to complete preparatory courses prior to or after admission into, a PhD programme.
In exceptional circumstances, applicants without the typical academic background, but who can demonstrate the ability to pursue a PhD, may be admitted at the Discretion of the Dean of Postgraduate Research.
Academic entry requirements
The academic entry requirements for admission to this qualification are:
- A qualification is equivalent to a New Zealand university bachelor's degree with a minimum overall grade comparable to a B+ grade at UC and in a relevant subject area.
CAE or CPE
Score of 176 with a minimum of 169 in reading, writing, listening and speaking.
CCEL EAP
Level 2 with a minimum B+ grade.
FluentIQ
Overall mark of 8/10 with nothing less than a 7 being scored in a single category.
IELTS Academic
An average score of 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in reading, writing, listening and speaking.
ISE
ISE III with a pass in all 4 components.
LanguageCert
C1 Expert IESOL (LRWS) with HIGH PASS.
NZAPA
English New Zealand Accredited Pathway Assessment Level 3 (with no skill lower than Level 2).
NZCEL
Level 5.
Pearson Test of English (Academic)
PTE with an overall score of 58 and no PTE communicative skills score below 50.
TOEFL iBT
Total minimum score of 90, minimum score of 19 in reading, writing and listening. Please note UC only accepts TOEFL iBT scores from a single test date, not MyBest scores.
- Course Type: Full Time
- Course Level: Doctoral Degree/PhD
- Duration: 03 Year
-
Total Tuition Fee:
144000 NZD
Average Cost of Living: 20000 NZD /year
Application Fee: N/A

