The Doctor of Creative Arts is a research higher degree designed for professionals such as academics, writers, producers or art directors with existing industry experience, who wish to further their critical and theoretically informed research capacity.
Research areas
This program is offered in the areas of:
- Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
- * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2025 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
- Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
Research areas
This program is offered in the areas of:
- Creative writing
- Art and digital design
- Interactive technologies and games
For more information, refer to the Faculty of Arts and Business research areas.
Admission requirements
To be eligible for admission to Doctor of Creative Arts candidature, applicants are normally required to hold a master level degree or a bachelors degree with at least Honours Class 2 Division I from a recognised higher education institution.
Applicants who have completed a bachelors degree and have achieved by subsequent work and study a standard equivalent to at least Honours Class 2 Division I may also be considered.
In exceptional cases, applications may be considered on the basis of other evidence of general and professional qualifications as approved by the Research Degrees Committee.
Refer also to the University’s English language requirements.
Program structure
Program structure
The Doctor of Creative Arts is awarded for an original and significant contribution of merit achieved through a program of advanced research and study in a branch of learning in the creative arts, carried out under supervision.
As a candidate, you are required to produce one or more highly original creative arts products, together with an exegesis.
The creative arts product/s and exegesis are judged by independent experts applying accepted contemporary international standards.
You may be required to undertake activities, such as specified courses, seminars or reading activities, in addition to and as a support for the production of the creative arts product/s and exegesis.
Where such activities are required, they shall be specified as a condition of candidature by the Committee and undertaken under the direction of the relevant Dean.
The Dean is required to advise the Committee that the additional requirements have been satisfactorily completed.
Program requirements and notes
- Prospective applicants wishing to undertake a Doctor of Creative Arts will need to find a suitable supervisor by contacting the Faculty of Arts and Business.
- For further information, refer to the Doctoral Degrees - Academic Policy.
- Refer to related policies, rules, plans and procedures.
- Refer to the research areas for the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
- International students need to refer to the University's English language proficiency requirements.
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
^ Enrolment and Fees
- Domestic candidates: Australian and New Zealand citizens and permanent residents are not required to pay tuition fees for the standard duration of their HDR program. The Australian Government's Research Training Scheme (RTS) covers the cost of HDR tuition fees for these candidates. Doctoral candidates are entitled to a maximum of four years full-time equivalent study. Candidates who do not complete their degree within the maximum RTS allowable completion times may be required to pay fees for any additional periods of enrolment. Please refer to Higher Degree by Research fees.
- International candidates: tuition fees apply. Refer to International HDR tuition fees.
- In any semester, full-time enrolment comprises 0.500 EFTSL.*
- In any semester, part-time enrolment comprises 0.250 EFTSL.*
- The census date for withdrawal without financial penalty or academic penalty is the Semester 1 or 2 census date.
* EFTSL - Equivalent Full-Time Student Load. One year of full-time study equates to 1.000 EFTSL.