Graduate Research

Doctor of Philosophy - Fine Arts and Music

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  • Course code: DR-PHILFAM

Course overview

Course description.

The degree of Doctor of Philosophy signifies that the holder has undertaken a substantial piece of original research, which has been conducted and reported by the holder under proper academic supervision and in a research environment for a prescribed period.

The PhD thesis demonstrates authority in the candidate's field and shows evidence of command of knowledge in relevant fields. It shows that the candidate has a thorough grasp of the appropriate methodological techniques and an awareness of their limitations. The thesis also makes a distinct contribution to knowledge. Its contribution to knowledge rests on originality of approach and / or interpretation of the findings and, in some cases, the discovery of new facts. The thesis demonstrates an ability to communicate research findings effectively in the professional arena and in an international context. It is a careful, rigorous and sustained piece of work demonstrating that a research 'apprenticeship' is complete and the holder is admitted to the community of scholars in the discipline.

In scope, the PhD thesis differs from a research Masters thesis chiefly by its deeper and more comprehensive treatment of the chosen subject. It is written succinctly, in English, unless approval has been given for the thesis to be written in a language other than English. The normal length of a PhD thesis is 80,000 words, exclusive of words in tables, maps, bibliographies and appendices. Footnotes are included as part of the word limit. The thesis should not exceed 100,000 words (or equivalent) without special approval from the Research Higher Degrees Committee.

The duration of Doctor of Philosophy-Fine Arts and Music candidature is three years for full-time candidates, two six month extensions are allowed.

Except in the disciplines of Creative Arts Therapies, Music Psychology, Music Therapy and Musicology/Ethnomusicology, the thesis may be submitted as Creative Work and Dissertation. Any thesis submitted as Creative Work and Dissertation will be examined as an integrated whole.

The Faculty of Fine Arts and Music offers PhD programmes in the following disciplines:

At the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music:

  • Composition
  • Interactive Composition
  • Jazz & Improvisation
  • Music Performance
  • Music Psychology
  • Music Therapy
  • Musicology/Ethnomusicology

At the Victorian College of the Arts

  • Design and Production
  • Film and Television
  • Indigenous Arts and Culture
  • Music Theatre

Through the Faculty of Fine Arts and Music

  • Creative Arts Therapies

Related study areas

  • Arts and culture
  • Creative arts and music therapy
  • Film and television
  • Indigenous arts and culture
  • Jazz and improvisation
  • Music performance
  • Music theatre
  • Music, visual and performing arts
  • Musicology and ethnomusicology
  • Performing arts

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  • Doctor of Philosophy - Arts

Course structure

Doctor of philosophy - arts (dr-philart) // course structure.

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About this course

Coordinator.

Sean Scalmer

For currently enrolled students:

  • General information about enrolment: https://arts.unimelb.edu.au/students/graduate-research
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Location: Room G07, Babel Building

For future students:

Coordinator email:

[email protected]

PhD thesis of 80,000 words. The award of the PhD is based solely on external examination of the PhD research thesis.

Four subjects (25 points in total) undertaken in the first year of probationary candidature:

  • One compulsory subject: Arts PhD Research Intensive, taught intensively over 2 days in semester one (6.25 points)
  • One core subject from a list of Arts PhD Research Workshops, held fortnightly in semester one (6.25 points)
  • Two Arts PhD Electives (2 x 6.25 = 12.5 points)

Please note the following:

  • All students are required to complete the Arts PhD Research Intensive (6.25 points total) and achieve a minimum grade of H2A (75%).
  • All student are required to complete one PhD Research Workshop from the list below (6.25 points total) and achieve a minimum grade of H2A (75%).
  • All students are required to complete two PhD Electives (12.5 points total) from the list below with the approval of the student’s supervisor and achieve a minimum grade of Pass (50%) in each elective
  • In some cases, supervisory panels, disciplines or Schools will require their students to take particular Electives or Workshops.
  • Some subjects may be restricted to students with cognate disciplinary expertise in that area of study.
  • Language subjects that are essential to the student's research thesis, or to improve a student’s English language proficiency, may be substituted for one PhD Elective (6.25 points) with approval from the student's supervisor and require the endorsement of the subject coordinator and Faculty.

Subject options

Arts phd research intensive workshop.

This subject is taught intensively over two days in April (6.25 points).

Arts PhD Research Workshop Subject

One PhD Research Workshop subject, taught fortnightly in semester one (6.25 points).

All students are required to select one Arts PhD Research Workshop with approval from their supervisor.

Arts PhD Elective Subjects

All students are required to select two Arts PhD elective subjects (2 x 6.25 points = 12.5 points total)

Last updated: 4 June 2022

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COMMENTS

  1. Doctor of Philosophy - Arts - The University of Melbourne

    The Doctor of Philosophy – Arts (also known as a PhD or Doctorate) is the highest Arts degree offered by the University of Melbourne. By writing a sustained thesis (80,000–100,000 words) of independent research which examines a specific problem, issue or topic, you will make a significant and original contribution to an existing area of ...

  2. Doctor of Philosophy - Arts - The University of Melbourne

    The Faculty of Arts offers three research degrees: Doctor of Philosophy – Arts (PhD) Master of Arts (Thesis Only) – not available to students in the School of Social and Political Sciences; Master of Arts (Advanced Seminar and Shorter Thesis) – Philosophy only

  3. Fine Arts and Music - The University of Melbourne

    A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) award for original research undertaken in the area of fine arts or music. Discover entry requirements & how to apply.

  4. Study graduate research - Faculty of Arts

    The Doctor of Philosophy – Arts – also known as a PhD or Doctorate – is the highest Arts degree offered by the University of Melbourne. You will complete a compulsory coursework component and undertake supervised research under the direction of a supervisory team of experts in the field.

  5. Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences

    The Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences is a place where academic excellence and innovation meet and where ideas and practice are brought together. We aim to develop ethical leaders with the knowledge, skills and passion to make a positive contribution to the world.

  6. Arts (DR-PHILART) - The University of Melbourne Handbook

    Course structure. PhD thesis of 80,000 words. The award of the PhD is based solely on external examination of the PhD research thesis. Four subjects (25 points in total) undertaken in the first year of probationary candidature: