university of sydney phd engineering

Postgraduate research degrees

Apply your theory-driven research to the real world

Work alongside some of the world's brightest and most accomplished academics, access high-calibre facilities, and discover our Higher Degree by Research (HDR) curriculum.

Our research is driven by the big picture. The University of Sydney is home to leading researchers who are finding solutions to the world's most pressing issues by changing the way they look at them. 

With more than 150 world‑renowned research centres, we are one of the world’s leading research-intensive universities. These centres include the  Charles Perkins Centre,  the  Brain and Mind Centre ,  the University of Sydney Nano Institute , the  Sydney Policy Lab , the  Sydney Environment Institute ,  the Sydney Net Zero Institute  and the  Sydney Southeast Asia Centre .

Our interdisciplinary approach means that students are part of a community of scholars that unites experts in fields as diverse as medicine, arts, social sciences, engineering, information technologies and science. 

As a researcher at Sydney, you'll work alongside some of the world's brightest and most accomplished academics. You can access high-calibre facilities and unique international partnerships with top-ranked institutions, including Harvard University, Cornell University, the University of Toronto, the University of Edinburgh, Utrecht University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and the University of Hong Kong.

How to apply

for postgraduate research

To find out more

Why choose Sydney?

Undertake your research degree at one of the world's top universities.

Types of postgraduate research degrees

Master's degree by research.

A master's degree by research at Sydney:

• is the second-highest qualification on the Australian Qualifications Framework
• can be a gateway to study at a PhD level
• is usually one to two years full-time or two to four years part-time*
• is awarded based on a supervised thesis, which makes a substantial contribution to the knowledge of the subject concerned.

*Part-time is not available to international student visa holders.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

A PhD at Sydney:

• is our premier research award and the highest qualification on the Australian Qualifications Framework
• comprises of independent research and writing on an approved topic toward a thesis for examination
• may be undertaken in all faculties and divisions, or across disciplines
• is usually 3.5 years of full-time or seven years of part-time* study.

*Part-time is not available to international student visa holders

If you’re interested in a Joint PhD program, you need to follow the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) application steps 1-3. In addition, your proposed supervisor will need to complete a proposal to negotiate a student agreement form. If accepted, you will also be required to sign an individual student agreement. After your student agreement is finalised, you will then be sent an application form for the Joint PhD program.

Please refer to the University's  Dual and Joint Degree Policy  for full policy details.

Download our  Joint PhD programs factsheet (pdf, 116KB)  to learn more.

Professional doctorate

A professional doctorate at Sydney:

• allows candidates to pursue rigorous scholarship alongside advancing their practice in many fields
• is usually three to four years of full-time or six to eight years of part-time* study.

Find a supervisor

Finding a supervisor with relevant expertise and experience is critical to the success of your research. You can search for supervisors by discipline, keywords, and research themes.

Find a research project

Browse postgraduate research opportunities at the University to find a project that aligns with your research experience and interests. 

Find the right scholarship for you

We have one of the largest research scholarship schemes in Australia. This is just one way we are ensuring our continued commitment to supporting our future research students.

Internship opportunities

Grow professionally and academically through a paid 3-6 month internship with an industry partner as you complete your degree.

The University of Sydney has partnered with  Australian Postgraduate Research Intern (APR.Intern)  to provide domestic and international HDR students with  internship opportunities  in a range of sectors and disciplines.

A paid internship will allow you to:

• Develop competencies that will contribute to your research
• Gain industry experience, develop skills and build networks
• Enhance your employability
• Earn additional income

Research student in labaratory

Financing postgraduate study

From student loans, CSP and scholarships to HECS-HELP.

How to write a PHD research proposal

Follow our guide to preparing a strong research proposal.

Frequently asked questions

Getting started, do i need prior research experience.

Yes, all HDR courses require prior research experience. This is because HDR courses are largely self-driven, requiring pre-requisite research, time and project management skills.

If I have no prior research experience, how can I get started?

If you do not have any previous research experience, there are ways to gain what you need. Both the one-year honours and masters by coursework degrees containing substantial research components are great pathways into research. These courses will allow you to gain the research skills necessary to apply for the PhD.

What is the difference between a Master of Philosophy/Research and a PhD?

The PhD is our premier research award and the highest qualification on the Australian Qualifications Framework. The PhD is usually three years full-time or six years part-time.

The Master of Philosophy/Research is usually one to two years full-time or four years part-time (part-time is available to domestic students only). A PhD thesis is generally around 80,000 words while a master’s thesis is 50,000 words.

How do I find a supervisor?

To browse through the profiles of our researchers and learn about their current and past research, please refer to  Find a Researcher . Here, you will also be able to access the publications lists and contact details of our researchers. 

My research idea crosses two disciplines – is this a problem?

No. Interdisciplinary research is highly regarded in the world of academia and working across disciplines can be very beneficial in developing and demonstrating different analytical skills. Working on research from two perspectives can also offer insight that you would not be able to achieve from one discipline perspective.

What are the English language requirements for a PhD?

Please check your  course page  for the requirements of each course. Generally, the English requirements are between 6.0 to 7.0 IELTS overall or equivalent in other accepted English proficiency tests.

How much do HDR courses cost?

There are no course fees for domestic students – fees are covered by the government Research Training Program (RTP) fee offset. However, fees apply to international students. Please refer to the  course page  for fee details.

What scholarships are available?

We have one of the largest research schemes in Australia. Opportunities include the Australian government-funded Research Training Program (RTP) stipend scholarships and the University of Sydney and faculty-specific awards.  Explore your options .

Degree progression

Do i have to undertake hdr coursework.

It depends on your degree. Your faculty may define certain  units of study as mandatory  for a given degree. Where this is not the case, you may still have the opportunity to complete units of study that you find useful to support your learning and research. 

Can I transfer from the Master of Philosophy into a PhD?

It is possible for students to move to the PhD after the first year of study, if you have made satisfactory progress and if the transfer is approved by your Faculty. It is important to inform your supervisor of your plans early so that you can work on a timeline together to achieve this goal.

Support during your studies

Am i able to work while studying my hdr course full-time.

Yes, you can work during your PhD. How many hours you take on is at your own discretion, and you must ensure that you still allow time for the completion of your research. International HDR students can generally work more hours than coursework students. Please check your individual visa for specific restrictions.

Will the university employ me during my PhD?

There are sometimes opportunities for PhD candidates to engage in paid employment at the University, but this is not guaranteed and is dependent on the Faculty/Department. If opportunities do arise, they may be in the form of teaching, marking, acting as a research assistant, or other roles.

What support services are available to research students?

There is extensive support for research students at Sydney, including 150+ multidisciplinary research and teaching centres.

Other services:

• Library workshops for research skills
• Academic Liasion Librarians
• Research Support Officers
• Careers Centre
• Sydney University Postgraduate Representative Association (SUPRA)
• Learning Hub

Get in touch

Support is available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (AEST).

• University Home
• Current Students
• Staff Intranet

Postgraduate Opportunities

Thank you very much for your interest in doing a PhD at The University of Sydney. The Centre for Future Energy Networks in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering carries out high-level research in the energy and power area. Associated with this we aim to attract highly qualified postgraduate research students.

As regards financial support, we encourage you to consider applying for the Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarships provided by the Australian government.

Before submitting the proposal, you will need to develop and submit a preliminary research plan. It is advised to contact staff in the Centre when you are formulating your plan. 

Please keep us informed about the progress of your application, but only send documents for our records. The formal application must follow the processes referred to above. You will need to provide transcripts of your undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, your recent CV and proof of English proficiency (academic test is needed). Please refer to the application form regarding the eligibility criteria. An Academic Transcript is an official statement detailing a student’s academic record for the period of enrolment at the University. It includes:

• details of all programs (undergraduate and postgraduate)
• grades achieved in courses
• graduation details

With regard to English proficiency requirements, please go  here .

We look forward to hearing back from you soon.

Project Funded PhD Positions:

Robust Renewables Hosting Capacity Enhancement

Prof Gregor Verbic [email protected]

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) at UNSW Engineering requires completion of a piece of research that demonstrates a significant and original contribution to knowledge in the field of study. Our candidates acquire advanced specialist research training and produce a thesis that summarises the research and provides evidence for independent thought and critical analysis. This includes effective communication and expert knowledge of the discipline in the international context. 

We offer the following Doctor of Philosophy programs:  

• Biomedical Engineering (1710)  
• Chemical Engineering (1010)  
• Civil & Environmental Engineering (1630)   
• Computer Science & Engineering (1650)  
• Electrical Engineering (1640)  
• Engineering (2645)  
• Food Science & Technology (1031)  
• Geospatial Systems (1682)  
• Industrial Chemistry (1016)  
• Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering (1662)  
• Mining Engineering (1050)  
• Petroleum Engineering (1017)  
• Photovoltaic Engineering (1655)

This program requires a minimum of three years, full-time study. Students undertake supervised research leading to the production of a written thesis.

Entry Requirements

The minimum requirement for admission to a PhD is:

• an appropriate UNSW Bachelor degree with upper second class Honours; or
• a completed Masters by Research from UNSW with a substantial research component and demonstrated capacity for timely completion of a high quality research thesis; or 
• an equivalent qualification from a tertiary institution as determined by the Faculty Higher Degree Committee (HDC)

To apply for a postgraduate research program, you’ll need to follow the steps below:

• Choose a research area that interests you
• Identify a potential supervisor and contact them by email. You’ll need the evidence of contact with the potential supervisor when you submit your application
• Prepare a research proposal
• Submit your application

Fees & Costs

Fees for local and international postgraduate research students differ, with more information available at UNSW Research.

Scholarships

We provide an array of research scholarships to UNSW Engineering postgraduate students. Suitable for both domestic and international researchers, they include government and industry-funded scholarships. Browse through the range and discover which schemes are applicable to your situation. 

Application guide

Find a research supervisor

Our research