How to apply for a PhD
at the University of Auckland
PhD applications may be submitted at any time during the year.
Doctor of Philosophy
Apply online at www.auckland.ac.nz/doctoralapplications PhD | 2020
Step 1. Check your eligibility
www.auckland.ac.nz/doctoralentry
Step 2. Choose your area of interest
Decide on your potential research topic, then check our active research
in that area by exploring:
• Faculty and department websites
• FindaThesis
www.findathesis.auckland.ac.nz
• University directory
unidirectory.auckland.ac.nz
Note: You may nominate a supervisor in your application, but it is not
necessary.
Step 3. Prepare your documentation English language pathway
You will need electronic copies of: If you do not meet the English language requirements, we have two
• Academic transcripts English language pathways that can help:
• Initial Statement of Research Intent Foundation Certificate for Academic Purposes (FCertEAP)
www.ela.auckland.ac.nz/fcerteap
• Curriculum vitae (résumé)
Fast-track programme: English Pathway for Postgraduate Studies
• Approved English language test scores if English is not your first (EPPS)
language www.ela.auckland.ac.nz/epps
• Evidence of research activity (thesis, dissertation, publication)
Two referees must support your application. They must submit their
Application help
reference directly to us. Follow our step-by-step guide for doctoral applications, admissions
and enrolment.
www.auckland.ac.nz/doctoralapplications
Find an official agent or overseas representative who can help you
Step 4. Apply online with the application process in person.
www.auckland.ac.nz/doctoralapplications www.auckland.ac.nz/overseasrep
You will receive an acknowledgment email with your Application for Get answers to your questions using our online help tool.
Admission login details. You can use these details to keep track of your www.askauckland.ac.nz
application status. Email us at postgraduate@auckland.ac.nz for application help.
School of Graduate Studies
The University of Auckland
Private Bag 92019
Auckland 1142
New Zealand
Phone: +64 9 923 1969
Email: postgraduate@auckland.ac.nz
www.postgrad.auckland.ac.nz
FAQs: AskAuckland.ac.nz
About the PhD Extensive specialisations Enriching environment Work rights and family benefits English language development
A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is a globally We offer PhD studies in over 100 subjects, Discover our rich local culture, unique landscape As a PhD student you have open work rights Our English language pathway helps anyone
recognised postgraduate research degree and across all faculties and institutes: and the reason our city’s exceptional standard of under the terms of your student visa. with a conditional offer to meet our language
the highest level of degree you can achieve. Arts living is among the best in the world. On completion of your PhD, you can apply for a requirements. Once in the programme, you
www.arts.auckland.ac.nz three-year Post-Study Work Visa (Open) which can take advantage of diverse English language
As a doctoral candidate, you will undertake
Business allows you to work for any employer in New enrichment opportunities to support your
three to four years of research in your area of
www.business.auckland.ac.nz Zealand. studies.
This will culminate in a thesis of original research
that contributes significantly to knowledge and Creative Arts and Industries Your spouse or partner is eligible for an open
www.creative.auckland.ac.nz Dedicated advice
understanding in your discipline. Your thesis will work permit valid for the duration of your PhD
be directed by your supervisors, then assessed Education and Social Work programme. Teams of expert advisers provide support
by external examiners appointed by www.education.auckland.ac.nz throughout your studies. The International Office
Your dependent children can attend New
the University. Engineering provides student advice around visas, opening a
Zealand’s primary and secondary schools at the
www.engineering.auckland.ac.nz bank account and living in a new country.
same subsidised rate as New Zealand children.
Why a PhD at the Law
www.law.auckland.ac.nz www.immigration.govt.nz
The School of Graduate Studies answers
questions about your programme, from
University of Auckland? Medical and Health Sciences application to examination.
FEES
www.fmhs.auckland.ac.nz
World-class reputation Science Accommodation
NZ$7,109
The University of Auckland is among the top www.science.auckland.ac.nz We can help you find quality accommodation
1% of universities globally. We are the highest- Liggins Institute (health research) in the heart of Auckland City, whether you are a
ranked1 and most innovative2 University in the www.liggins.auckland.ac.nz single student, part of a couple or bringing your
country, and the only New Zealand institution Auckland Bioengineering Institute family. Choose from University residences or
in the QS top 100. www.abi.auckland.ac.nz 2019 annual PhD fee* private accommodation.
Outstanding academic community Auckland, New Zealand *Excludes compulsory fees. Eligibility requirements www.accommodation.ac.nz “I was searching for a
Leading research
We are New Zealand’s largest research We have the highest concentration of top- • A safe, culturally diverse city in a
apply.
Preparing to apply
world-class university
organisation, supporting 60 research units, ranked researchers in New Zealand, and they
support the greatest number of doctoral
beautiful and politically stable country. to pursue my studies.
centres and institutes. We have the most
comprehensive research offerings of any candidate completions in the country.3 • New Zealand’s largest city at 1.6 million How we support you Entry requirements
My supervisor suggested
Members of our thriving doctoral community people, and the centre of retail and Acceptance on to the programme is subject to
university in the country, supported by the
highest level of research funding.³ regularly publish papers, attend international commercial activity. Domestic fee rates staff availability for supervision, and appropriate the University of Auckland
www.auckland.ac.nz/research
conferences and make significant contributions
to global research.
• Set on a magnificent harbour and New international PhD students who live in
New Zealand during their doctoral study pay
facilities. You must demonstrate an ability to
research independently and possess a high level
and, after finding out the
combining the best of vibrant city life
with refreshing natural beauty. the same annual tuition fees as New Zealand of theoretical understanding. You must also high global ranking,
1
QS World University Rankings 2020 have completed a significant research project,
²Reuters Top 75: Asia Pacific’s Most Innovative Universities 2019.
3
Performance Based Research Fund. Evaluating Research Excellence: the 2012 Assessment.
students. In 2019, that was just NZ$7,108.80
per annum (excluding compulsory fees). dissertation or thesis during your qualifying I decided to apply for the
Generous scholarships
degree.
doctoral programme.”
You can check your eligibility using our online
THE UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND KEY STATISTICS
1
A range of scholarship options is available for calculator.
international PhD candidates, including country- www.gpecalculator.auckland.ac.nz
specific funding, the University of Auckland “I love children, and my passion is helping to
You will need an overall IELTS academic score provide a better education for them. Working as an
RANKED
Doctoral Scholarships and project-specific
of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0, or approved Early Childhood teacher, I realised the importance
funding.
More than
3000
equivalent.* of education and curriculum in the early years on
www.auckland.ac.nz/is-scholarship
www.auckland.ac.nz/doctoralentry children’s development. My doctoral thesis will
investigate education and care experiences of
Automatic research funding Find a supervisor toddlers, to explore how these very young children
The University of Auckland is the highest ranked doctoral candidates; Research support funding is available
automatically to all PhD candidates.
You can apply to the PhD programme without demonstrate agency and competency in decision-
making.
university in New Zealand in Times Higher Education around first finding a supervisor, but having a supervisor
50%
Postgraduate Research Student Support (PReSS)
and QS rankings for 2019. may speed up your application. “I am grateful for the guidance and advice my
is an annual payment for up to four years,
intended to cover research costs and contribute Search FindaThesis, our online database, to supervisors provide, and I like the peaceful
international to research-related travel, conference discover detailed information about current environment of Epsom Campus – it has its own unique
beauty in every season. I have always wanted an
200
Each year the University awards On average during their studies, attendance and research consumables. doctoral projects and potential supervisors.
academic job at a university and my hope is that being
new University
3
doctoral candidates attend www.findathesis.auckland.ac.nz
a PhD student at the University of Auckland might help
of Auckland international Doctoral development You can also browse the University’s staff
me find a job here.
We have the
Doctoral conferences The University offers a range of services to directory to find potential supervisors who do
Scholarships and publish 3 papers
highest support doctoral candidate development. You research in your area of interest. “I thought it might be difficult to deal with being
thousands of miles away from home, but Auckland’s
concentration could benefit from in-person workshops, online
learning and a range of other resources and
unidirectory.auckland.ac.nz
rich culture and lovely people meant I didn’t feel
of top-ranked unique opportunities to help you refine your *You may apply for the PhD programme and receive a homesick or lonely. I enjoy Auckland’s outstanding
Auckland is ranked researchers skills and employability.
conditional offer if you have not yet met English proficiency
requirements.
lifestyle, beautiful parks, landscapes and amazing
beaches. Aucklanders are so friendly and welcoming,
in New Zealand
3 in the world
rd and living in Auckland is super cool.”
Mina Badiei comes from Iran and is pursuing her PhD
for quality of living by the in the School of Curriculum and Pedagogy, focusing on
Mercer Quality of Living Rankings 2019. Early Childhood Education
