Doctor of Philosophy (Medicine and Health Science)

Course Overview

Why study a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)?

Our PhD program allows you to complete extensive, independent research (100,000 words), including at the Brain Research Institute at Monash Sunway (BRIMS), which is Monash University’s main institute for neuroscience research and an important part of our school.

We have recognised research strengths in the following four areas:

• cardio-metabolism
• infection and immunity
• neuroscience
• global public health

 We also conduct extensive research under the following clusters:

Monash has a history of providing medical, surgical and health sciences research training that is recognised and respected worldwide for its excellence. The Monash PhD has an international reputation for excellence and relevance, with quality supervision at the heart of our success.

As a doctoral candidate, you will be supported by a minimum of two supervisors throughout your candidature. Under their guidance, you will write and submit a thesis that represents a significant contribution to the body of knowledge or understanding of your field of research.

Areas of study

Our PhD program may be undertaken in the principal areas of research offered by the Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences and BRIMS. These include:

• anatomy
• biochemistry and molecular biology
• endocrinology
• epidemiology and preventive medicine
• general practice
• health economics
• medical education
• medicine
• microbiology
• neuroendocrinology
• paediatrics
• pharmacology
• physiology
• psychological medicine
• psychology
• surgery
• toxicology 
• rural health

Entry Requirements

To enter Monash University, students must satisfy particular academic, English language and age requirements.

To apply for the PhD program in the Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, you must have completed a:

• a bachelor’s degree requiring at least four years of full-time study in a relevant field, and which includes a research component in the fourth year, leading to an honours 1 or 2A in a relevant field;
• a course leading to a level rated by the relevant department, faculty and committee as equivalent to an honours 1 or 2A in a relevant field;
• a master’s degree that entails work, including a significant research component at least equivalent to an honours degree in a relevant field (a ‘significant research component’ in a master’s degree will vary from discipline to discipline). It is normally expected that a grade of honours 2A has been obtained for the research thesis or project. Where ungraded, examiner’s reports will be taken into account; or
• a qualification deemed equivalent by the relevant department, faculty and committee.