Known for its warm climate and stunning beaches, Australia has always welcomed international students with open arms. The country is home to some of the best PhD universities in the world, offering best-in-class infrastructure, highly qualified faculty and next-generation technology to facilitate learning. Australia’s multiculturalism and high standard of living have made it one of the top doctoral study destinations in the world. The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is a research-based degree that allows students to expand their academic boundaries and deepen their knowledge in one specific field. Studying for a PhD in Australia may be the best choice you can make by taking advantage of the incredible research opportunities offered here. In this blog, we are here to provide you with all the information you need about the top 5 universities for PhD in Australia.
Read also: MBA in Australia
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Australia’s universities are renowned throughout the world and their degrees are highly regarded by the world’s top recruiters. The reasons why you should consider pursuing a PhD in Australia are:
- Wide range of areas of study : Universities in Australia offer students a wide range of areas of study, from Doctor of Medicine (MD) to Anthropology and Economics to Marine Biology. They cover almost every area of interest, giving you a variety of perspectives to choose from.
- Post-study visa : After completing a PhD, graduates are allowed to live and work in Australia itself for a minimum of 4 years.
- Home of the World’s Leading Universities . Five Australian universities have successfully secured their place among the top 50 universities in the QS World University Ranking 2021 .
Best Australian Universities for PhDs: QS Rankings 2023
| Universities | QS Rankings 2023 |
| Australian National University | =30 |
| University of Melbourne | 33 |
| University of Sydney | 41 |
| University of New South Wales | 45 |
| University of Queensland | 47 |
| Monash University | 57 |
| University of Western Australia | 90 |
| University of Adelaide | =108 |
| University of Technology Sydney | =109 |
| Newcastle University | =122 |
| University of Wollongong | 185 |
| Queensland University of Technology | =222 |
| Curtin University | =194 |
| Macquarie University | 195 |
| RMIT University | =190 |
| Deakin University | =266 |
| University of South Australia | 25 |
| University of Tasmania | =293 |
| Griffith University | =300 |
| James Cook University | =461 |
5 Best Universities in Australia for a PhD
All 43 universities in Australia are fully funded, accredited and supported by the Australian Government. Listed below are the top 5 universities that offer PhD degrees in various fields and are known to be the best for research and graduate studies among international students.
University of Queensland
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The doctoral program offered at the University of Queensland , as one of Australia’s top universities for doctoral degrees, has always been aimed at encouraging and developing students’ independent research skills. Ranked 46th in the 2021 QS World University Rankings , the university strives to impart skills in problem-solving, relevant methodological skills, critical thinking, and logical solutions to problems. The University of Queensland offers a three to four year full-time doctoral program that includes theoretical study and research training in a number of areas such as:
- Engineering
- agriculture
- Business
- Law
- Architecture
- Health and Behavioral Science
- Biomedical Science
- Information Technology
- Medicine
- Social science
- Humanities
University of Southern Queensland
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Offering a three to four year doctoral program that is awarded to those who demonstrate their ability and make a significant contribution of knowledge to their field of study, the University of Southern Queensland has always strived for excellence in its teaching methodologies. Renowned as one of Australia’s top universities, the proposed PhD course spans 2 semesters and students are required to complete a 24-module program, research training, postgraduate electives, a research proposal supporting candidacy and an independent research study. available in the following fields:
- Agriculture and agribusiness
- Astrophysics
- Cultural heritage
- Environmental Sciences
- Mathematical Sciences
- Engineering and technology
- Education
- Economy
- Health and Behavioral Sciences
Check – Best Universities for MBA in Australia
University of Melbourne
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The University of Melbourne is one of Australia’s top universities, helping to enhance the knowledge of research students in their chosen fields of study. Ranked 41st in the QS World University Rankings 2021, the university fosters a sense of academic excellence, leadership, creativity, innovation and independence among postgraduate students. The full-time program covers a minimum duration of 4 years, while the part-time PhD program covers a minimum duration of 8 years. The various doctoral programs offered by the University of Melbourne are as follows:
- Neurology
- Infection and immunity
- Mental health
- Ecology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Computing and information system
- Mechanical engineering and mechatronics
- Chemical Engineering
University of Sydney
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Providing world-class research opportunities, the University of Sydney, one of Australia’s top universities, offers PhD degrees in science, engineering and information technology, business, arts and social sciences . The duration of study is three to four years, during which students are required to prepare a thesis showing the culmination of the research, consisting of 80,000 words. With leading-edge laboratories and research institutes, the University of Sydney is ranked 40th in the 2021 QS World University Rankings and provides postgraduate students with a wealth of career opportunities in academia and other public and private institutions. The following table lists the PhD programs offered by the University of Sydney:
| Science | Arts and Social Sciences |
Engineering and IT |
Business |
| 1. Chemistry 2. Earth Sciences 3. History and Philosophy of Science 4. Life and Environmental Sciences 5. Mathematics and Statistics 6. Physics 7. Psychology 8. Veterinarians |
1. Art and Art History 2. Archeology 3. Languages and Cultures 4. English Language and Literature 5. Ancient, Medieval and Modern History 6. Global Political Economy 7. Sociology 8. Media and Communications |
1. Field robotics 2. Agricultural engineering 3. Biomedical engineering 4. Human-centered technologies 5. Complex systems 6. Materials and structures 7. Food industry 8. Smart energy grids 9. Water and the environment |
1. Accounting 2. Business Analytics 3. Business Information System 4. Business Law 5. Finance 6. International Business Marketing 7. Strategy, Innovation and Entrepreneurship 8. Organizational Studies 9. Logistics |
Researching universities in Australia? Check out our exclusive blog on the cost of studying in Australia!
Bond University
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Bond University is one of Australia’s premier universities, promoting innovation and research in a regional, national and global context. The Bond University PhD helps students acquire specialized methodological knowledge and is completed in 48 months by writing a dissertation of approximately 80,000 words. The university collaborates with various private enterprises, government agencies, academic institutions and industrial organizations to provide students with opportunities to learn and work in real life situations, thereby enhancing their understanding of various disciplines. Bond University offers doctoral programs in business, health sciences and medicine, law, society and design.
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We hope we have provided you with all the information you need about the best universities to study for a PhD in Australia. If you are looking forward to pursuing your PhD but still don’t know which university to choose, take the help of Leverage Edu, an AI-powered tool that aims to provide you with the best institutions sorted according to your interests, skills and preferences. Once you have found a suitable university, you can also book a free 30-minute careers consultation with experienced advisers and we will guide you through the entire application process to ensure you are successfully shortlisted.