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Quick Facts

Programme Tabs

Overview

Programme Overview

These are the highest academic awards offered by the University and are awarded to graduates or close affiliates of The University of Auckland who have published original work that has, over an extensive period of time, given them authoritative standing and international eminence in their respective field. The higher doctorate is thus to be seen as recognition of real distinction in one of these areas of study. It is awarded rarely and only after rigorous examination of a substantial and significant corpus of material by examiners of authoritative standing and international eminence in the field of the submitted work and who are themselves active in research. 

In the first instance, an application must be made for candidature. Only if an application is accepted should the candidate submit the work to be examined.  

Programme Careers

Student career planning services

Once you become a student at the University, you can get help with planning and developing your career from Career Development and Employability Services.

Key Information for Students

Key Information for Students

Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions.

Entry Requirements, Fees and Dates

Find a Supervisor

A University of Auckland PhD is available in over 100 different subjects but your research project will be unique. As part of the application process, you need to provide an outline of your proposed research project.

Although you are not required to nominate a doctoral supervisor as part of your initial application, you can also look at supervisor profiles and research projects, or to find out more about the research carried out at the University of Auckland, click on the links in the Subjects tab to start exploring faculty research webpages for your area of interest.

Fees and scholarships

Fees

Fees Disclaimer

Fees are set in advance of each calendar year and will be updated on this website. Fees are inclusive of 15% GST, but do not include the Student Services Fee, course books, travel and health insurance, or living costs. Fees will be confirmed upon completion of enrolment into courses. For more information, please see Fees and Money Matters.

*Please note: amounts shown are indicative and estimates only.

Scholarships

Scholarships and awards

Find out about the scholarships you may be eligible for.

Loans and Allowances

Student loans and allowances

Are you a New Zealand citizen or resident? You could be eligible for a student loan or allowance.

Cost of Living

Cost of living

Get an idea of how much accommodation and general living in Auckland will cost.

Key Dates

Application Advice

Please note: we will consider late applications if places are still available. International students should start the application process as early as possible to allow sufficient time to apply for a visa.

Key Dates

SemesterApplication Closing DateSemester Start DateSemester End Date

Other Important Dates

See important dates for the academic year, including orientation, enrolment, study breaks, exams, and graduation.

Regulations

Type of Doctorate

Higher Doctorate

Eligibility

1 The Degree of Doctor of Science shall be awarded to those candidates whose submitted works provide evidence of an original contribution of special excellence to some branch of pure or applied science such that they are considered to have authoritative standing and international eminence in their field.

2 The Degree shall be awarded only on work, whether sole or conjoint, published in book form or in scholarly journals in general circulation.

3 A candidate for the Degree of Doctor of Science must be a graduate of the University of Auckland or have a substantial, demonstrable association with the University of Auckland.

4 No application to be examined for a higher doctorate will be considered until at least eight years after graduation to the candidate’s first degree.

5 No work shall be considered for the Degree if the work, or a major portion thereof, has previously formed the basis of an award of any degree or diploma in this or any other university.

6 Work submitted on a previous occasion for consideration of a higher doctorate at the University of Auckland will not be reconsidered for the Degree unless more than five years have elapsed since the previous submission and the resubmission includes new material.

Application

7 A person wishing to become a candidate for a Doctor of Science should apply in writing to the Vice-Chancellor (or delegate), providing:

a a completed Application to be Examined for a Higher Doctorate

and

b an academic curriculum vitae

and

c academic transcripts for each degree previously awarded (if these degrees were not awarded by the University of Auckland).

8 Consideration of applications and examination shall be carried out in accordance with the Procedure for the Examination of Higher Doctorates, as determined by the Vice-Chancellor (or delegate) from time to time.

Graduate Profile and Programme Capabilities

Graduate Profile

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Programme Capabilities

#Programme Capability

Programme Capabilities to Graduate Profile Map