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Edith Cowan University

Joondalup , Western Australia ,Australia

Doctor of Philosophy (Security Science)

A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is an opportunity to pursue a topic you're passionate about at the highest academic level.

A PhD is an independent, supervised research project that is assessed on the submission of a thesis or creative work and exegesis. This course may be undertaken in any School within ECU, provided there are supervisors available in your proposed research area, and the resources and facilities required to complete your proposed project are accessible.

Security science is an empirical endeavour, seeking to describe, analyse, explain and counter security and other malevolent centred actor problems in a rigorous and impartial manner.

About this PhD Unit Set

Security science is an empirical endeavour, seeking to describe, analyse, explain and counter security and other malevolent centred actor problems in a rigorous and impartial manner.

The university’s focus on security science has been recognised as world leading, with scholars within the School of Science educating students on the application of scientific knowledge through the scientific method to diagnose, infer about, and treat security problems accordant with empirical evidence. The Schools research across the domain of security science seeks to add to the security science body of knowledge through empirical research outcomes. Security science research at ECU concentrates on: Risk, Resilience, Intelligence and Counterintelligence, Cyber/Physical security intersection, Security technology, Corporate security, Community security and Crime prevention, Surveillance, Security education, Terrorism and Violent extremism. Specific research topics related to the above are developed in conjunction with academic supervisors. The School has a range of facilities, including a security science laboratory to facilitate research, and also places a high emphasis on industry collaborations and government agencies to enhance post-graduate research outcomes and student experience.

Campus Information

Joondalup

Our Joondalup Campus is the University's headquarters. The campus boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including the Health and Wellness Building, a multi-million dollar sport and fitness centre, an award-winning library and student hub, a microbrewery, an outdoor cinema for the summer months and on-campus accommodation.

Intakes

  • Feb
  • July

Application Processing Time in Days: 10

Application Process

More Information Required
60 Days
Possible Interview Call from Institution
30 Days
Provisional/Unconditional Offer
30 Days
Visa Process
120 Days

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

Employment opportunities

Students will develop new knowledge and skills for enhancing their employment across government agencies, the corporate security and intelligence sectors, local councils and private consulting.

Possible future job titles

Security, intelligence, risk, counter–terrorism, crime prevention, resilience, continuity, technology, cyber-physical.

Admission Requirement / Eligibility Criteria

The following course-specific admission requirements are mandatory and must be satisfied by all applicants. These requirements are in addition to or supersede the minimum requirements outlined within the Academic admission requirements band section below.

All applicants are required to have the equivalent of 6 months full time research (which must involve a research output which includes the conception and design of the project, and analysis and interpretation of findings) if applying with a Masters qualification other than a Master by Research. Applicants seeking online study will be required to provide additional information to support their application, as not all projects nor disciplines are suited to online study. Special entry may be considered for applications to the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) who will be required to attend an audition and/or interview.

Academic admission requirements (Band 11) may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

  • Masters Degree (Research);
    or
  • Bachelor Honours Degree (First or Upper Second class)
    or
  • Demonstrated capacity to undertake original PhD-level research.

English competency requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following (Band 4) :

  • IELTS Academic Overall band minimum score of 6.5 (no individual band less than 6.0);
  • Bachelor degree from a country specified on the English Proficiency Bands page;
  • Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at postgraduate level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent);
  • Where accepted, equivalent prior learning, including at least five years relevant professional experience; or
  • Other tests.