The ANU Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies offers higher degree research through the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree program. CAIS has an exceptionally high successful completion rate for the PhD program with students expertly supervised by one of the centre’s internationally regarded academic staff and a panel of advisors.

The PhD program is a 3-4 year research degree requiring the production of an 80,000-100,000 word thesis. Most students are required to undertake some preparatory course work in their first year.

The centre offers PhD research opportunities in a wide range of disciplines. CAIS has a renowned international reputation for high quality research and an impressive legacy of pioneering research within the Middle East, Central Asia, North Africa and the wide Muslim world. Our academic staff are leading researchers in their fields research, and we are the only Australian institution to offer Higher Degree Research in several fields.

The centre has six key Strategic Research Areas:

1. Authoritarianism in the Middle East and Central Asia
2. Comparative politics, security and international relations in MENA
3. Social cohesion, ethnonationalism and sectarianism in the Middle East and Central Asia
4. Multiculturalism in Australia among the Muslim diaspora and wider community
5. Languages, Literature, Cultures and ideologies of the Middle East and Central Asia
6. The Economics and Political Economy of the Middle East

Students interested in postgraduate studies and higher degree research students are encouraged to contact the Centre to discuss their potential future research and its alignment with these key Strategic Research Areas.

Before contacting the centre, prospective HDR students are encouraged to prepare a 3-page proposal that links to one of the centre’s key research areas and identify one or two potential supervisors. A list of current academic staff is available here.

Requirements

You need to have completed an Undergraduate with Honours or Advanced Masters degree in a discipline relevant to your area of proposed research. For undergraduate degrees your average result should be either First or Second Class Honours. If you have a Masters degree, you will need to show that it included a research component. If you don't have a master or honours degree you may be able to apply on the basis of professional work experience. You will also need to have academic referees to support your application.

Fees & Scholarships

Domestic

If your PhD application is successful, then there are no tuition fees for students from Australia or New Zealand citizens enrolling in a higher degree by research for the first time. Their research training costs are met by the Australian government. You can apply for an Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) to cover your living expenses but there are only a limited number of scholarships available. The closing date for applications if you want to be considered for a scholarship is 31 October to commence by the following March. Occasionally, scholarships are available for mid-year entry by August.

International

International students are required to pay tuition fees. A small number of scholarships are available to cover fees and also potentially living expenses. The closing date for applications if you want to be considered for ANU scholarship is 31 August to commence by the following March.

Detailed information about scholarships offered at ANU can be found here.