Applying for a doctoral degree

Find key information about admission and the application process for a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA), Doctor of Education (EdD) and a Doctor of Health Sciences (DHSc) at UC.

PhD Eligibility and Document Requirements

There are a number of specific documents you need to provide with your PhD application. Please note we are unable to start your admission assessment until we have all required documents.

Apply for PhD and DHSc

Apply for a PhD and DHSc by completing an application in myUC and uploading supporting documents (including evidence of your proposed supervisor's commitment and availability).

Apply for EdD or DMA

Apply for the EdD and DMA by completing the relevant Application Form and submitting it to the Admissions team, along with supporting documents (including evidence your proposed supervisor's commitment and availability).

Processing your application

Processing your application for admission to a doctoral programme of study may take several weeks as your application must be reviewed by various teams across the University. You will be notified as soon as a decision has been made, and your next steps will be outlined. If you are approved to study a doctoral degree, you will be given details of how to complete your enrolment.

You can check the progress of your application any time by logging into myUC.

Annual re-enrolment

PhD students are required to re-enrol prior the anniversary date of their first enrolment each year (approved course start date). You will receive a reminder email two weeks before your enrolment ends.

Domestic students: You will receive a notification to advise that your Enrolment Agreement is ready to view and accept on myUC.
International students: You must go to the Enrolments team in Te Pātaka where your enrolment will be processed and you will receive your Enrolment Agreement. Please take your passport, current visa and proof of your new visa application (if required).

If you have not received notification to re-enrol within a week of your enrolment ending, or have any questions regarding your enrolment please contact thesis-enrolments@canterbury.ac.nz for assistance.

Other Considerations

Deferrals

Once your application has been approved and you would like to request a change in start date please discuss this with your provisional supervisor first and email the confirmation of their approval to admission@canterbury.ac.nz.

Transferring from an Incomplete UC Masters to PhD

You can apply to do so after at least six months work on your master’s thesis. You must show substantial evidence of quality progress in your research.

Transferring from an Incomplete PhD within a NZ University

Please contact the Postgraduate Office for details by emailing postgraduate-office@canterbury.ac.nz.

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