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PhD in Australia for Indian Students

Last updated: 2 April 2024 Study in Australia

A PhD degree is an essential qualification for the knowledge economy, helping you gain valuable career skills and expertise in a specific subject area. A PhD in Australia typically follows a Master’s, M.Phil, or MRes degree, depending on the university you are applying for, and the research experience and training gained during your PhD can enhance your critical thinking and problem-solving skills and give you a pathway to improve your prospects of finding jobs in Australia and elsewhere.

A PhD in Australia for Indian students lasts one to five years, and fees range from AUD 29,479 to AUD 60,000 (16 to 23 LPA). The course gives the flexibility and convenience to start your degree at any time of the year. After completing the course, you can opt for a career as a research assistant, academic professor, or other employment opportunity.

Why not arrange a free consultation with SI-Australia today if you want to study in Australia? Our educational consultants will take you through your study options and help you apply.

phd australia india students

Why Study a PhD in Australia?

Australia stands out with its excellent education system, career opportunities, and welcoming environment. The country is a vibrant hub for research and scholarships. So, whether you want to study medicine, architecture, or engineering, Australia is where your PhD can be worthy. Here are the top reasons you should opt for a PhD in Australia. 

  1. Globally renowned research universities- According to QS World University Ranking 2024, 9 Australian universities are in the global top 100. 
  2. Multiple funding and scholarship opportunities- The Australian government and universities offer various scholarships and fellowships to Indian students pursuing a research degree. 
  3. Various PhD opportunities- From Marine Biology at the Great Barrier Reef to Anthropology at Ulluru, Indian students can opt for different doctoral programs that can be completed only in Australia.
  4. Career opportunities - Most PhD graduates work in business, government, and non-profit organisations.
  5. No Viva - Doctorates in Australia can be assessed without any traditional PhD viva voce. 
  6. Post-Study Visas - Australia values its PhD graduates. Your degree could allow you to work and live in the country for at least four years.

Best PhD Programs in Australia

A PhD comprises training units and subject modules where you can develop an independent thesis with a collection of data from various fields and the contribution of knowledge in the area. You can acquire mentorship and assistance from experienced faculty members to build strong academic research. During the coursework, you must submit an 80,000 to 100,000-word dissertation towards the end of the program. Here are some of the popular PhD courses and specialisations available in Australia -

Top Universities for PhD in Australia

According to QS Rankings World University Rankings 2024, six Australian universities are in the top 50, and nine are in the top 100.

1. The Australian National University

Establishment year

1946

Location

Canberra, Australia

QS Ranking 2024

34th

Acceptance rate

35%

IELTS requirement

Overall score of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0

TOEFL

570

Best PhD programs

Research in Social Sciences and Health and Medicine

Annual PhD fees in Australia for Indian students

AUD 45,052 (INR 24.4 Lakhs)

2. The University of Sydney

Establishment year

1850

Location

New South Wales, Australia

QS Ranking 2024

19th

Acceptance rate

30%

IELTS requirement

Overall, 6.0 to 7.0

TOEFL

iBT score of 96

Best PhD programs

Arts and Social Sciences, Science, and Business

Annual PhD fees in Australia for Indian students

AUD 49,000 (INR 26.5 Lakhs)

3. University of Melbourne

Establishment year

1853

Location

Melbourne, Australia

QS Ranking 2024

14th

Acceptance rate

70%

IELTS requirement

Overall 6.5

TOEFL requirement

Overall 7.0

Best PhD programs

Biosciences, Computer Science, Engineering, and Ecosystem Sciences

Annual PhD fees in Australia for Indian students

AUD 44,128 (INR 23.9 Lakhs)

4. University of New South Wales

Establishment year

1949

Location

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

QS Ranking 2024

19th

Acceptance rate

60%

IELTS requirement

7.0

TOEFL requirement

96

Best PhD programs

Information Systems and Technology Management, Biomedical Engineering, and Management

Annual PhD fees in Australia for Indian students

AUD 40,736 (INR 22.0 Lakhs)

5. University of Queensland

Establishment year

1909

Location

Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

QS Ranking 2024

43rd

Acceptance rate

40%

IELTS requirement

Overall 6.5

TOEFL requirement

Overall score 87

Best PhD programs

Agricultural Science, Applied Economics, and Medicine and Public Health

Annual PhD fees in Australia for Indian students

AUD 40,736 (INR 22.08 Lakhs)

Admission Requirements for a PhD in Australia

To apply for a PhD in Australia, you need a bachelor’s and master’s degree in a relevant subject. Each university has its own set of requirements and application procedures. Here are some generic admission requirements for enrolling in PhD programs -

Documents Required

Here is a checklist of the documents required for PhD admission in Australia -

English Proficiency Test Scores

The validity of IELTS/TOEFL/PTE tests for studying in Australia has been temporarily extended from two to three years. The required minimum qualifying scores for the English language proficiency test are as follows -

Exam

Required Minimum Score

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

6.5

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

85

C1 Advanced Exam (CAE)

176

Pearson Test of English (PTE)

61

Scholarships to Study PhD in Australia for Indian Students

Indian students can avail of scholarships and grants from the Australian government and universities. Besides, you also get the opportunity to work for up to 40 hours per fortnight. However, you must ensure that your work aligns with your PhD program. Here is the list of scholarships offered to Indian students studying for a PhD. 

University

Scholarship

Award value

Australian National University

ANU PhD Scholarships

AUD 28,092 per annum

University of New South Wales

Tuition Fee Scholarship (TFS) plus a research stipend

A stipend of AUD 28,597 per annum, tuition fees covered

University of Technology Sydney

International Research Training Program Scholarship (IRTP)

Includes tuition fees, the cost of standard, Overseas Student Health Cover

University of Melbourne

Graduate Research Scholarship

Full tuition fee waiver and stipend

Monash University

Maxwell King PhD Scholarship

AUD 3,560 per annum

PhD Fees in Australia for Indian Students

For Indian students, the PhD fees in Australia can range from AUD 29,479 to AUD 60,000 (16 to 23 LPA). Here is the average admission fee of top Australian universities -

University

Fees per annum

Australian National University

INR 25,05,412 (AUD 46,221)

University of Sydney

INR 27,25,859 (AUD 50,287)

University of Melbourne

INR 24,54, 352 (AUD 45,279)

University of New South Wales

INR 25,36,233 (AUD 46,879)

University of Queensland

INR 22,65,702 (AUD 41,798)

Monash University

INR 18,96,904 (AUD 34,995)

University of Western Australia

INR 19,41,407 (AUD 35,816)

University of Adelaide

INR 25,03,246 (AUD 46,181)

University of Technology Sydney

INR 18,95,291 (AUD 34,965)

University of Wollongong

INR 31,45,038 (AUD 58,021)

Applying for a PhD in Australia

You can begin your PhD in Australia anytime during the academic year. Hence, there is no fixed deadline for the application submission. The mode of application form is online, and you must apply at least 4 months before the start date of your PhD program. If you seek financial assistance, you can apply for a scholarship or grant based on your specific criteria.

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