Since 2008, Griffith University has partnered with the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS) to offer a joint doctoral program to undertake research at both universities.
Candidates undertake two distinct research projects over a five-year program commencing with one year of coursework training at UCAS, followed by a four year research program conducted at both UCAS and Griffith. Subject to satisfactory completion of all agreed program requirements, the two universities will each award a degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) to the candidate.
Candidates must fulfil all relevant academic entry requirements, at each institution. The program is extended to all research areas including natural resources, environment and life sciences, and any other areas where there are existing or proposed research collaborations.
To be eligible for admission, applicants must:
- be citizens and permanent residents of the People’s Republic of China at the time of application;
- be a resident in China and not be currently working or studying abroad;
- return to China upon completion of their studies and/or research;
- develop research proposals for each research project/thesis, and identify a supervisor/s at each institution
- apply for a PhD at UCAS first, and then for a PhD at Griffith second. Applicants will apply at Griffith following completion of the 1 year of coursework at UCAS.
Griffith and UCAS will complete an evaluation of applicants according to their respective requirements.
To meet the admission and scholarship requirements at Griffith, applicants are required to hold a bachelor degree with first-class honours, or be regarded by Griffith as having an equivalent level of attainment, as specified on the Equivalent qualifications for HDR program admission webpage.
All applicants admitted to the Program are required to complete two PhD theses with one in Chinese to be submitted to UCAS in year four (4) of the Program and the other in English to be submitted to Griffith in year five (5) of the Program. Candidates will spend time at each institution as outlined in the program structure below:
Institution Location | Year of Program – Coursework/Research Work |
UCAS | Year 1 Coursework at UCAS/CAS training institute |
UCAS | Year 2 Commence UCAS research project |
Griffith | Year 3 Commence Griffith research project and continue UCAS research project |
Griffith | Year 4 Complete UCAS research project and submit thesis and continue Griffith research project |
Griffith | Year 5 Complete Griffith research project and submit thesis. |
PhD candidates will need to apply to UCAS to undertake the Joint Degree Program (candidates will usually be within their first year of candidature at UCAS). UCAS will advertise the Joint Doctoral Program on their website. UCAS will shortlist applicants and advise Griffith University. Candidates will then be requested to complete an application for admission and scholarship at Griffith.
Suitably qualified candidates supported by UCAS will then apply for admission and scholarship to the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program at Griffith.
Admission to the Dual PhD program each year will depend on the availability of suitably resources projects and the availability of suitable supervisors from each institution.
Research study at Griffith University