Qualifications at the highest level provide diverse opportunities for career advancement. As a specialist in your discipline, you could work in policy or research roles. Alternatively, you could take up leadership or management positions. Completion of a doctorate also heralds your admission into a community of scholars and can pave the way for a rewarding academic career.

Sydney / Melbourne / Brisbane: 

Regular 2 years post study work visa for international students completing Bachelors and Masters degrees (minimum 92 weeks), 3 years for Masters by Research and 4 years for PhD. graduates 

Other Locations (Regional centres and other regional areas):

International students studying at regional universities will be eligible to access an additional 2 years in Australia on a post-study work visa
(Which means a Bachelors or Masters graduate can get up to 4 years of PSW visa) 

The Research Committee (RC) of the University holds the delegated authority of approval for admission to research higher degree programs. 

Basis of Approval for Admission to the Doctor of Philosophy
The RC shall base its decision on admission to a proposed Doctor of Philosophy candidature upon the following evidence, that:

• the proposed program of study and research is at a level appropriate to the degree being sought;
• the  proposed  area of research falls  within an approved University  field  of  research  for  admission  to  a higher degree by research;
• the proposed supervisors are sufficiently expert in the area of research, and have the time and commitment to be able to provide appropriate supervision, and that adequate physical resources are available;
• the applicant has the appropriate background and ability to undertake the proposed course (refer also to Entry Qualifications, below);
• the applicant has given the necessary commitment to work regularly on the approved program of study and research and maintain regular contact with the supervisor(s).

Entry Qualifications for Doctor of Philosophy Degree
The entry qualifications required for admission to a Doctor of Philosophy program are:

• qualified for the award of a Master by Research at an acceptable level;
  or
• an appropriate Bachelor degree with class 1 or class 2(i) honours from another Australian university or an equivalent overseas tertiary institution, taken over a minimum of four years (full-time equivalent);
  or
• qualified for entry into a Charles Sturt University Master by Research program and duly enrolled and shown exceptional ability in the conduct of a research project which is clearly capable of being extended to a doctoral level;
  or
• qualified for the award of a coursework Master’s degree with a research component. It is normally expected that a grade equivalent to the appropriate class of Honours will have been obtained;
  or
• some other appropriate combination of undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications (such as relevant graduate diplomas) and research experience that demonstrate  capacity  to  undertake  research  at  a Doctoral level.

Basis of Approval for Admission to the Doctor of Philosophy by Prior Publication
The RC shall base its decision on admission to a proposed Doctor of Philosophy by Prior Publication candidature upon the evidence required for admission to a Doctor of Philosophy and in addition the following evidence:

i. the publications (which may include books and non-print materials)   that   will   be   included  in   the   submission presented for examination;
ii. any information  on  the  quality  and  citations  of  the publications to be included in the submission;
iii. a statement making clear the applicant's contribution to all jointly-authored publications;
iv. a statement from the co-authors of any jointly-authored publications confirming the extent of the applicant's contribution to these publications;
v. a statement of no more than five pages that:

• indicates the way in which the work has developed;
• demonstrates   the  contemporary relevance of each publication;
• makes clear the way in which the publications make an original scholarly contribution to knowledge;
• provides  a  thematic  overview  which  serves to link the individual publications into an integrated whole;
• confirms the papers have not previously been submitted as part of a degree;
• a statement indicating whether or not additional research activity may be required in order to convert the publications to an integrated whole, and if so, an outline of the necessary work;
• the  names of two  persons  who are able to provide academic references relevant to the proposed PhD candidature.

The application for the Doctor of Philosophy by Prior Publication will be subject to external assessment.

Entry Qualifications for Doctor of Philosophy by Prior Publication Degree
A candidate for the Doctor of Philosophy by Prior Publication is expected to be an experienced researcher with a significant historical record of refereed publications of doctoral standard. An applicant for admission to the Doctor of Philosophy by Prior Publication shall meet the requirements specified admission to a Doctor of Philosophy program. Admission to candidature will be subject to external assessment.

An applicant who has already been awarded a PhD will not be admitted to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy by Prior Publication.