Facts & figures
THE Impact Ranking
- 1st in Australia
- 2nd in the world
Our research is driven by the big picture. Ranked second globally in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings and in the top 45 of research universities around the world*, 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.
We are home to 90 world‑renowned multidisciplinary research and teaching centres that tackle some of the world’s biggest challenges, such as health, climate change and food security. These centres include the Charles Perkins Centre, the Brain and Mind Centre and The University of Sydney Nano Institute.
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 Stanford, UCLA, the University of Edinburgh, Utrecht University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and the University of Hong Kong.
A master's degree by research at Sydney:
A PhD at Sydney:
A professional doctorate at Sydney:
To support the research capabilities and success of HDR students, and in response to a changing world, we are introducing a new coursework component to our PhD degrees and broadening the coursework options for our other postgraduate research degrees.
You will have the opportunity to create a distinct research pathway by selecting from 270+ units from any faculty – a first of its kind in Australia – with study areas ranging from specialist analytical methods and professional engagement courses, to discipline-specific subjects.
This flexibility allows you to:
You will be able to enrol in any of the units available at no extra cost, subject to unit capacity and your research background, as some units vary in levels of capability.
Your faculty may elect to define certain units of study as mandatory for a given degree pathway.
AMME5060 – Advanced Computational Engineering
BUSS7904 – Advanced Quantitative Methods
DATA5441 – Networks and High-dimensional Inference
DATA5710 – Applied Statistics for Complex Data
DATA5711 – Bayesian Computational Statistics
OLET5602 – Computational Analysis for Omics Data
STAT5003 – Computational Statistics Methods
STAT5610 – Advanced Inference
STAT5611 – Statistical Methodology
ENGL5000 – Research Infrastructures for English
ENGL5001 – Presentation and Impact in English Studies
OLET5122 – Cultural Competence for HDR Students
OLET5704 – Creative Thinking and Innovation
OLET5706 – Collaboration in Complex Environments
PERF5610 – Arts and Creative Industries Placement
SCIE5001 – Science HDR Internship Experience
SCIE5004 – Learning in STEMM in Higher Education
BETH5202 – Research Ethics
OLET5043 – Fieldwork Ethics*
OLET5618 – History of Research Ethics
MEDF5005 – Health Research Methods and Ethics
SSPS6004 – Social Research Ethics
ARHT5000 – Presenting Visual and Cultural Research
ARHT5006 – Visual and Cultural Research Methods
ASNS6010 – Asian Language Acquisition 1
ASNS6011 – Asian Language Acquisition 2
ASNS6012 – Asian Language Acquisition 3
ASNS6013 – Asian Language Acquisition 4
GCST5002 – Representing Cultural Research Proposal
EUST7010 – European Language Acquisition 1
EUST7011 – European Language Acquisition 2
EUST7012 – European Language Acquisition 3
EUST7013 – European Language Acquisition 4
GRKA7001 – Classical Greek for Postgraduates 1
GRKA7002 – Classical Greek for Postgraduates 2
LATN7201 – Latin for Postgraduates 1
LATN7202 – Latin for Postgraduates 2
SRSU5101 – Language-Based Cultural Research Proposal
ENGG5205 – Professional Practice in Project Management
PMGT5875 – Project Innovation Management
PMGT5876 – Strategic Delivery of Change
PMGT5879 – Strategic Portfolio and Program Management
PMGT5896 – Sustainability and Intelligence in Program Management
PMGT5897 – Disaster Project Management
PMGT5898 – Complex Project Leadership
PMGT6871 – Project Planning and Governance
PMGT6872 – Project Leadership and Communications
PMGT6873 – Project Economics and Investment
PMGT6891 – Risk Dynamics and Resilience
BMET9925 – Introduction to AI, Data and Society in Health
BSTA5002 – Principles of Statistical Inference
BSTA5007 – Linear Models
BSTA5023 – Probability and Distribution Theory
BUSS7902 – Quantitative Research Methods
CIVL5458 – Numerical Methods in Civil Engineering
ECMT5001 – Principles of Econometrics
ECON5005 – Quantitative Tools for Economics
ECON6703 – Mathematical Methods of Econ Analysis A
EDPK5002 – Quantitative Methods
MATH5311 – Topics in Algebra
MATH5430 – Mathematical Models of Natural Phenomena
MATH5431 – Mathematical Models of Natural Phenomena (Alt)
OLET5402 – Basics of Quantitative Research Design
OLET5606 – Data Wrangling
OLET5608 – Linear Modelling
OLET5610 – Multivariate Data Analysis
OLET5616 – Experimental Design for Life Sciences
PUBH5018 – Introductory Biostatistics
PUBH5215 – Introductory Analysis of Linked Data
PUBH5217 – Regression Modelling
SSPS6002 – Qualitative Methods
STAT5002 – Introduction to Statistics
BACH5255 – Qualitative Research Methods
BUSS7903 – Qualitative Research Methods
BUSS7906 – Advanced Qualitative Methods
EDPK5001 – Qualitative Methods
GCST5001 – Beginning Qualitative Cultural Research Proposal
OLET5902 – Qualitative Research for Law and Policy
PUBH5505 – Qualitative Research in Health
SSPS6002 – Qualitative Methods in the Social Sciences
AFNR5502 – Remote Sensing, GIS and Land Management
ARCF9001 – Modes of Inquiry: Research and Scholarship
ARCO6002 – Approaches to Deep Time
ARCO6004 – Morphometrics
BUSS7901 – Research Design
BUSS7910 – Philosophy of Business Research
CEPI5205 – Doing a Systematic Review
CEPI5215 – Writing and Reviewing Medical Papers
CEPI5300 – Research Grants: Theory and Practice
DENT6000 – Research Methods
ECOP6031 – Research in Political Economy
EDPJ5022 – Research Methods in Language Studies
EDPK5003 – Developing a Research Project
EDPZ5003 – Thesis Proposal Writing
ENVI5904 – Methods in Applied Ecology
GCST5002 – Representing Cultural Research Proposal
GOVT6139 – Research Design
INFO5993 – Computer Science Research methods
INFO5994 – Advanced Topics in Computer Science
MCGY5604 – Researching Creative Process
MEDF5005 – Health Research Methods and Ethics
OLET5616 – Experimental Design for Life Sciences
OLET5620 – Good Science, Bad Science
OLET5702 – Complex Problem-Solving
PERF5600 – Graduate Research Methods
PHAR6000 – Research Methods
PHYS5020 – Computation and Image Processing
SCWK6902 – Social Research
WRIT5001 – Writing a Thesis 1: Starting a Thesis
WRIT5003 – Writing a Thesis 3: Completing a thesis
WRIT6000 – Professional Writing
WRIT6001 – Professional Editing
ARCO6003 – Fieldwork Experience
CART7006 – Art as Research
ECON5001 – Microeconomic Theory
ECON5002 – Macroeconomic Theory
ECMT6702 – Econometric Applications A
ECON6701 – Microeconomics Analysis 1 A
ECON6702 – Macroeconomics Analysis 1 A
EDPC5012 – Evaluating Learning Technology Innovation
EDPC5021 – Foundations of the Learning Sciences
EDPC5025 – Learning Technology Research Frontiers
GCST5910 – Health, Pleasure and Consumption
GCST6905 – Gender in Cultural Theory
HSTY7003 – Becoming a Historian
PHIL6101 – Research Topics in Ancient Philosophy*
PHIL6102 – Research Topics: 20th Century Philosophy*
PHIL6103 – Research Topics: Early Modern Philosophy*
PHIL6106 – Research Topics in Moral Psychology*
PHIL6109 – Research Topics: Mind and Metaphysics*
PHIL6110 – Advanced Topics in Philosophy of Science
PHIL6112 – Epistemology and Language*
PRFM5901 – Critical and Theory Performance
PRFM5902 – Rehearsal Studies
WMST6902 – Arguing the Point
WMST6904 – Modernism, Modernity and Modern Culture
AERO5301 – Applied Finite Element Analysis*
AERO5760 – Spacecraft and Satellite Design*
AERO8200 – Advanced Aerodynamics
AERO8750 – Unmanned Air Vehicle Systems
AMME5271 – Computational Nanotechnology
AMME5292 – Advanced Fluid Dynamics
AMME5310 – Engineering Tribology
AMME8101 – Energy and the Environment
AMME8510 – Vibration and Acoustics
AMME8520 – Advanced Control and Optimisation
AMME9450 – Design and Production
BMET5907 – Orthopaedic and Surgical Engineering
BMET5911 – Advanced Instrumentation for Nanotechnology
BMET5931 – Nanomaterials in Medicine
BMET5933 – Biomedical Image Analysis
BMET5953 – Rehabilitation Engineering
BMET5957 – Bioelectronic Medicine Circuits and Systems
BMET5962 – Introduction to Mechanobiology
BMET5992 – Regulatory Affairs in the Medical Industry
BMET5944 – Bioinspired Materials: Design and Fabrication
BMET5995 – Advanced Bionics
BMET8790 – Introduction to Biomechatronics
BMET9802 – Biomedical Instrumentation
BMET9921 – Biomedical Engineering Technology
CHNG5001 – Process Systems Engineering
CHNG5003 – Green Engineering
CHNG5004 – Particles and Surfaces
CHNG5005 – Wastewater Engineering
CHNG5006 – Advanced Wastewater Engineering
CHNG5008 – Nanotechnology in Chemical Engineering
CHNG5601 – Membrance Science
CHNG5602 – Cellular Biophysics
CHNG5603 – Advanced Process Modelling and Simulation
CHNG5604 – Advanced Membrane Engineering
CHNG5605 – Bio-Products Laboratory to Marketplace
CHNG5606 – Advanced Food Processing
CHNG5607 – Advanced Biochemical Engineering
CIVL5351 – Geoenvironmental Engineering
CIVL5460 – Particle Mechanics for Geotechnics
CIVL5701 – Transport Networks, Geography and Land Use
CIVL5999 – Advanced Research and Analysis
CIVL6257 – Concrete Structures - Prestressed Concrete
CIVL6264 – Compositive Steel-Concrete Structures
CIVL6267 – Steel Structures - Advanced Analysis and Design
CIVL6268 – Structural Dynamics
CIVL6450 – Analysis and Design of Pile Foundations
CIVL6454 – Rock Engineering
CIVL6455 – Engineering Behaviour of Soils
CIVL6456 – Energy Geotechnics
CIVL6665 – Advanced Water Resources Engineering
CIVL6666 – Open Channel Flower and Hydraulic Structures
CIVL6669 – Applied Fluid Engineering Computing
CSYS5010 – Introduction to Complex Systems
CSYS5020 – Interdependent Civil Systems
CSYS5030 – Information Theory and Self - Organisation
CSYS5040 – Criticality in Dynamical Systems
COMP5045 – Computational Geometry
COMP5046 – Natural Language Processing
COMP5048 – Visual Analytics
COMP5313 – Large Scale Networks
COMP5318 – Machine Learning and Data Mining
COMP5415 – Multimedia Design and Authoring
COMP5424 – Information Technology in Biomedicine
COMP5426 – Parallel and Distributed Computing
COMP5427 – Usability Engineering
DATA5207 – Data Analysis in the Social Sciences
ELEC5204 – Power Systems Analysis and Protection
ELEC5207 - Advanced Power Conversion Technologies
ELEC5208 – Intelligent Electricity Networks
ELEC5211 – Power System Dynamics and Control
ELEC5212 – Power System Planning and Power Markets
ELEC5304 – Intelligent Visual Signal Understanding
ELEC5306 – Video Intelligence and Compression
ELEC5307 – Advanced Signal Processing with Deep Learning
ELEC5507 – Error Control Coding
ELEC5509 – Mobile Networks
ELEC5510 – Satellite Communication Systems
ELEC5512 – Optical Networks
ELEC5514 – Networked Embedded Systems
ELEC5516 – Electrical and Optical Sensor Design
ELEC5517 – Software Defined Networks
ELEC8608 – Computer Architecture
ELEC9405 – Communications Electronics and Photonics
ELEC9505 – Communications
ELEC9506 – Data Communications and the Internet
ELEC9515 – Digital Communication Systems
ELEC9607 – Embedded Systems
ENGG5202 – Sustainable Design, Engineering and Management
ENGG5204 – Engineering Professional Practice
ENGG5214 – Management of Technology
ENGG5215 – International Engineering Strategy and Operations
INFO5060 – Data Analytics and Business Intelligence
ISYS5070 – Change Management in IT
MECH8265 – Combustion
MECH8720 – Sensors and Signals
MTRX8700 – Experimental Robotics
LAWS6077 – Legal Research 1
LAWS7001 – Legal Research 2
CEPI5100 – Introduction to Clinical Epidemiology
PUBH5010 – Epidemiology Methods and Uses
PUBH5216 – Controlled Clinical Trials
PUBH5224 – Advanced Epidemiology
PUBH5312 – Health Economic Evaluation
PUBH5317 – Decision Modelling for Economic Evaluation
CMPN5006 – Recording Portfolio
CMPN5012 – Graduate Composer Performer Workshop
CMPN5114 – Graduate Vocal Composition Workshop
EMUS5600 – Historical Performance Practice
MCGY5111 – Creative Work Seminar 1
MCGY5112 – Creative Work Seminar 2
MCGY5602 – Opera and Society
MCGY5603 – Music as Social Science
MCGY5605 – Methods of Music Analysis
VSAO5022 – Principles of Studio Pedagogy
AFNR5511 – Soil Processes, Assessment and Management
AFNR5801 – Climate change: Process, History, Issues
CHEM5101 – Special Topics in Chemistry 1
CHEM5102 – Special Topics in Chemistry 2
DATA5441 – Networks and High-dimensional Inference
ENVI5801 – Social Science of Environment
GEOG5001 – Geographic Information Science
MARS5001 – Coastal Processes and Systems
MATH5310 – Topics in Algebra
MATH5320 – Topics in Analysis
MATH5321 – Topics in Analysis (Alt)
MATH5330 – Topics in Geometry
MATH5331 – Topics in Geometry
MATH5340 – Topics in Topology
MATH5341 – Topics in Topology (Alt)
MATH5410 – Special Topics in Applied Mathematics
MATH5411 – Special Topics in Applied Mathematics (Alt)
MATH5420 – Deterministic and Stochastic Systems
MATH5421 – Deterministic and Stochastic Systems (Alt)
MATH5550 – Optimal Control and Game Theory
MATH5551 – Stochastics and Finance
OLET5604 – Health Literacy for Better Lives
PHYS5011 – Nuclear Physics
PHYS5012 – Radiation Physics and Dosimetry
SUST5002 – Food and Water Security
*Not offered in 2021.
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 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.
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.
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.
No! Interdisciplinary research is actually 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 which you would not be able to achieve from one discipline perspective.
Please check your course page on Sydney Courses for the requirements of each course. Generally, the English requirements are between 6.0 to 7.0 IELTS overall or a minimum result of 565 overall for TOEFL – PBT score.
There are no course fees for domestic students, as fees are covered by the government Research Training Program fee off-set. However, fees apply to international students. Please refer to your course page on Sydney Courses for fee details.
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.
Yes, if you are commencing your HDR study from 2021 you must complete the mandatory HDR coursework for any HDR course. Generally, this is 12 credit points for the PhD and 6 credit points for the Master of Philosophy/Research.
It is possible for students enrolled in the Master of Philosophy 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.
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.
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.
There is extensive support for research students at Sydney, including 100+ multidisciplinary research and teaching centres. Other services include library workshops for research skills; dedicated Research Librarians and Research Support Officers; the Careers Centre; access to the Sydney University Postgraduate Representative Association; and the Learning Centre.