We offer an advanced research program for our doctoral degree in the arts, across our research focus areas.

Conduct original research in an area of interest to you and of broader significance to VU, industry and the community. This research will inform your creative work. You will be assisted by an experienced research supervisory team.

The PhD includes:

• producing a creative work informed by substantial research
• an accompanying analytical written component or exegesis (thesis by creative project)
• a component of required coursework, usually undertaken in the first year
• participation in both formal and informal learning opportunities.

Our learning opportunities enable you to develop your research skills and other generic and transferable skills.

You will also learn to be an effective communicator through the presentation and defence of your research in a wide variety of contexts such as:

• refereed academic outlets appropriate to your field (e.g. ranked journals, academic conferences, book chapters, monographs)
• public presentation to broader audiences.

PhD graduates are prepared for a wide range of roles in government or the public service, community and non-government organisations and media.

Our graduates often go on to work in the following areas:

• academia
• journalism, writing or strategic communications
• arts administration and management
• government and policy work
• community sector professional roles
• creative arts.

Career options with this qualification vary greatly depending on discipline. Some example average annual salaries for potential jobs are:

• community arts worker: $62,556
• journalist/writer: $67,600
• program/project administrator: $72,124
• university lecturers, over $100,000