Life As A Phd Student: University Of Queensland

The University of Queensland is one of Australia's top research-intensive universities, offering a wide range of resources and support for its PhD students. With guidance from an advisory team, PhD students at the University of Queensland can expect to undertake a substantial research project, produce an 80,000-word thesis, and complete an oral examination over the course of 3 to 4 years of full-time study. The university provides access to world-class facilities and equipment, as well as opportunities for industry placements and exchanges with partner institutions in other countries. In addition to academic resources, the university also offers a rich campus life with over 200 clubs and societies, accommodation options, and a vibrant cultural scene.

Student life and support

As a PhD student at UQ, you will be part of a vibrant and diverse community, with about 1,000 PhD candidates joining each year across a wide range of disciplines. The university offers a range of support services and resources to enhance your student life and maximise your potential.

Academic Support

UQ provides comprehensive academic support to its PhD students, including:

• Access to world-class faculty and researchers: UQ is home to renowned faculty members and researchers who are leaders in their respective fields. They offer guidance, mentorship, and support throughout your PhD journey.
• Advisory teams and thesis supervisors: Each PhD candidate is assigned an advisory team and a thesis supervisor who provide personalised guidance, support, and mentorship. They help you navigate your research project and introduce you to professional networks, fostering your career development.
• Training and skill development: UQ offers various training and skill development opportunities through the Career Development Framework (CDF). This framework is designed in collaboration with industry professionals to ensure that you acquire portable skills valued in any career or industry.
• Access to premier resources: As a UQ PhD student, you will have access to extensive resources, including one of Australia's largest libraries, with over 2 million physical resources and a vast collection of journal subscriptions.
• Scholarships and financial support: UQ offers numerous scholarships to support your PhD studies, including tuition fee scholarships, living stipend scholarships, and top-up scholarships. These scholarships provide financial assistance to help you focus on your research and maximise your potential.

Student Life and Community

UQ also offers a range of services and resources to enhance your overall student life experience, including:

• On-campus accommodation: The university provides a range of accommodation options on or near its campuses, making it convenient for you to find a suitable place to live during your PhD studies.
• Student clubs and organisations: UQ has a diverse range of student clubs and organisations that cater to various interests, hobbies, and cultural backgrounds. These groups provide opportunities for social connection, networking, and a sense of community within the large university setting.
• Support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students: UQ offers dedicated application support, tuition, and specialised scholarships for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. The university is committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment for all its students.
• Research mobility opportunities: UQ offers unique opportunities for research collaborations and exchanges with partner institutions in Australia and abroad. This allows you to expand your research horizons and establish international connections.
• Wellness and counselling services: The university prioritises the mental and emotional well-being of its students by providing access to counselling and wellness services. These services help you navigate any personal or academic challenges you may face during your PhD journey.

The University of Queensland is committed to providing a supportive and enriching environment for its PhD students, offering a range of services and resources to enhance both your academic pursuits and overall student life experience.

Scholarships and fees

The University of Queensland offers a range of scholarships to support PhD students in their research and studies. These scholarships can cover tuition fees, living stipends, health insurance, and even travel allowances. The availability of scholarships varies depending on whether you are a domestic or international student, with some scholarships specifically aimed at supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fee scholarships are available to cover the cost of your studies. Domestic students can apply for these scholarships at any time, while international students will need to secure a living stipend scholarship to be eligible for tuition fee support.

Living Stipends

Living stipends are a major type of scholarship, offering $36,400 per year tax-free (2025 rate) in fortnightly payments to help with living costs. These are available to both domestic and international students and can be supplemented by top-up scholarships for further financial assistance.

Earmarked Scholarships

The University of Queensland offers Earmarked Scholarships to support PhD students in meeting their tuition fees and living expenses. Both domestic and international students are eligible, and the scholarships are designed for research projects aligned with recently awarded Category 1 Research Grants. This provides an opportunity for PhD students to collaborate with leading researchers on large-scale, nationally significant projects. The funding includes a stipend of $35,000 per annum tax-free, health insurance, and full tuition fee coverage.

Graduate School Scholarships (UQGSS)

Graduate School Scholarships are available for domestic and international students and include a living stipend of $36,400 per annum tax-free (2025 rate) and Single Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). These scholarships provide financial support for students pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy or a research-focused professional doctorate at the University of Queensland.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research Scholarships

The University of Queensland offers dedicated scholarships for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students pursuing a PhD or Master of Philosophy in any field. These scholarships include a higher living stipend of $46,400 per annum (2025 rate) and cover tuition fees.

Other Scholarships

In addition to the scholarships mentioned above, the University of Queensland also offers various other scholarships funded by external organisations, UQ faculties, centres, institutes, and donors. These scholarships often align with specific fields of research or purposes, and eligibility and funding types vary.

Research projects

The University of Queensland (UQ) is a research-intensive university that offers a wide range of research projects for PhD students. Here are some examples of research projects that UQ PhD students can undertake:

Agricultural, Veterinary and Food Sciences

UQ offers research projects that focus on agricultural, veterinary, and food sciences. For example, one project aims to develop a delivery mechanism for anti-methanogenic supplements in grazing livestock, specifically targeting grazing beef cattle. Another project seeks to understand soil-water-root interactions in high-strength soils by using advanced imaging techniques to characterise genetic diversity in wheat genotypes.

Engineering and Physical Sciences

In the field of engineering and physical sciences, UQ has projects such as the development of an advanced flexible chain-die forming process, which is a novel sheet metal forming technology aimed at manufacturing lighter and stronger advanced high-strength steel parts. Another project focuses on understanding charge carrier behaviour in organic semiconductor optoelectronic devices to improve device performance.

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

UQ has a variety of research projects in the biological and biomedical sciences. One project investigates the therapeutic potential of the trefoil factor family for treating gastrointestinal disorders, specifically inflammatory bowel diseases and irritable bowel syndrome. Another project involves understanding the molecular structures of proteins involved in rare diseases using biochemical techniques, structural biology, and computational approaches.

Information and Computing Sciences

For students interested in information and computing sciences, UQ offers projects like investigating the role of large language models in higher education. This project explores the potential of using large language models and other technologies to enhance the student experience.

Humanities and Social Sciences

In the humanities and social sciences, UQ has research projects such as investigating the politics of development financing competition in Asia and the Pacific. This project examines how states and societies in the region are responding to the intensifying "Second Cold War" between the US and China, with a focus on development financing.

Application process

The University of Queensland (UQ) is one of the world's leading research universities, offering a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree that is internationally recognised. The application process for a PhD at UQ is outlined below.

Check Eligibility:

First, determine if you are applying as a domestic or international student. You are a domestic student if you are a citizen of Australia or New Zealand, an Australian permanent resident, or a holder of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa. If none of these apply, you are an international student.

Find a Supervisor or Project:

You will need to find a supervisor in your field who will support your proposed project and guide you through your research. It is essential to find an advisor early in the application process and discuss your research interests with them. Alternatively, you can find an available research project with a scholarship that suits your interests.

Gather Documents:

You will need to provide various documents with your application, including:

• Academic curriculum vitae (CV)/resume
• Academic transcripts and degree certificates
• English language proficiency test scores (if applicable)
• Passport or identification documents
• Two references or letters of recommendation

Submit Application:

Submit your application online via the UQ application portal. Ensure that you have all the required documents prepared and allow at least 12 weeks for your application to be processed.

Receive Offer:

You will receive a notification via the application portal regarding the outcome of your application. If accepted, carefully read the offer letter and follow the instructions provided. Contact your supervisor to let them know you have been offered a place.

Commence Research:

At UQ, PhD research can commence at the start of any of the four research quarters in the year: January, April, July, or October. Your agreed start date will be included in your Confirmation of Enrolment and Offer Date.

It is important to note that additional entry requirements and supporting documents may be requested by individual departments, so it is recommended to discuss these with your potential thesis supervisor.

Student experiences

The University of Queensland (UQ) is one of Australia's top research-intensive universities, with around 1,000 PhD candidates joining each year. UQ offers a broad range of research areas, including Humanities, Social Sciences, Arts, Business, Law, Architecture, Science, Engineering, Agriculture, Medicine, Health, Behavioural Science, Biomedical Science, and Information Technology.

The pursuit of knowledge through research higher degree programs not only leads to a well-educated society and a highly trained professional workforce but also significantly contributes to the university's research and scholarship. The PhD program at UQ aims to foster the development of independent research skills in candidates. Students are expected to formulate a significant problem, develop mastery of appropriate conceptual and methodological skills, and relate their research topic to a broader framework of knowledge in their chosen discipline.

The doctoral thesis is a substantial document that serves as evidence of a student's contribution to their field of research, demonstrating their capacity for critical analysis and scholarly research. The thesis may involve an alternate format and typically entails a word count of 80,000. Additionally, students must complete an oral examination as part of their PhD requirements.

To support their PhD studies, students at UQ can access premier resources, including one of Australia's largest libraries, boasting over 2 million physical resources and access to numerous journal subscriptions. The university also offers the Career Development Framework, created in collaboration with industry, to help students foster and improve their skills.

Furthermore, UQ is located in one of the safest and most liveable places on earth, providing a sunny and pleasant environment for students to pursue their research. The university also provides dedicated application support, tuition, and scholarships for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

Frequently asked questions