Level 2, 16 Wally’s Walk
Macquarie University NSW 2109
Take your PhD global
Expand your research horizons, build international connections and gain experience across two research environments.
Macquarie’s global PhD programs allow you to develop your research across Macquarie and an international partner university. You’ll be jointly supervised, spend time at both universities and, on successful completion, graduate with a PhD from both institutions.
Why choose a global PhD?
A global PhD gives you the opportunity to:
- Gain global perspectives - Explore new ideas and approaches in your field and experience different research environments.
- Build international networks - Work with supervisors, researchers and research communities at two universities and develop connections that can extend beyond your degree.
- Broaden your research experience - Develop your research across different institutions, cultures and academic environments.
- Access international expertise - Connect with research expertise, facilities and networks that complement your research at Macquarie.
Choose your global PhD pathway
There are two ways to undertake a global PhD with Macquarie.
A cotutelle PhD allows you to undertake your research across Macquarie and an international university through a flexible, case-by-case agreement.
You’ll be jointly enrolled at both institutions, with supervisors from each university, and spend time conducting research at both locations.
Cotutelle arrangements are often established with priority institutional partners, but may also be developed with other universities, subject to approval.
Key features:
- Joint enrolment at Macquarie and an overseas university
- Minimum 24 months/maximum 36 months of joint enrolment
- Minimum 12 months spent at each institution
- Scholarship and travel support available
- Separate progress assessments
- Single thesis submitted to both universities for examination
- Two testamurs and two graduation ceremonies
This pathway is well suited if you want a more flexible, individually negotiated international research experience.
A joint PhD is a more structured program delivered through a formal partnership between Macquarie and an international university.
You’ll be jointly enrolled and supervised, with a coordinated program agreed between the two institutions.
Key features:
- Joint enrolment at Macquarie and an overseas university
- Minimum 24 months/maximum 36 months of joint enrolment
- Minimum 12 months spent at each institution
- Scholarship and travel support available
- One university designated as lead
- Single thesis submitted to the lead university for joint examination
- Single joint testamur and single graduation ceremony
This pathway is ideal if you want a highly integrated, structured international PhD experience with a partner institution.
Global PhD scholarships
Selected high-quality students may be eligible for generous scholarships supporting their global PhD.
Scholarship support can include:
- tuition fees for up to three years
- a stipend while studying at Macquarie
- a travel allowance
The total value of the scholarship is approximately $190,000 for international students, depending on the length of their candidature and stay at Macquarie.
How to apply
A Global PhD is developed around your research project and involves collaboration between Macquarie and an international partner university. The application and agreement process therefore takes time and involves both institutions.
Start planning early
The agreement process can take three to seven months from start to finish. Each agreement must address your individual research needs and meet the requirements of both universities.
If you’re interested in undertaking a Global PhD, we recommend starting discussions with your proposed supervisors and international partner university as early as possible.
Already started your PhD?
You may still be able to apply for a Global PhD after commencing your PhD at Macquarie. You must have at least two years (full-time equivalent) remaining in your candidature when you commence the Global PhD program.
Speak with your supervisor and explore potential international partners early to determine whether a Global PhD is suitable for your research project.
What to consider
As part of the application process, you’ll need to:
- meet the PhD admission requirements
- identify an international university and research environment that aligns with your research
- discuss the opportunity with your Macquarie supervisor and potential international supervisors
- confirm that appropriate supervision and research resources are available at both institutions
- develop a research proposal and Global PhD arrangement that meets the requirements of both universities
- complete the required application and assessment processes.
The final agreement will set out the arrangements for your enrolment, supervision, research, time spent at each institution and examination.
Strategic partner universities
Our strategic partners for global PhDs are internationally renowned, comprehensive universities with which we have multiple areas of alignment of research strength or emerging competency.
To support focused investment in selected partnerships that align with the University’s priorities, partners are classified as core, specialised or funding-oriented. This classification will guide the scope of engagement and the model of operational support.
Core partners
Specialised partners
- Centrally managed in close collaboration with faculties
- Focused on collaboration through global PhDs, but may also provide access to unique research training environments, facilities or industry engagement opportunities.
Funding-oriented partners
- Partnerships driven by the availability of scholarship and/or project funding through large third-party funding schemes.
Prospective partners
- If you are a researcher from a university that is not currently a strategic partner, contact gr.globalprograms@mq.edu.au for more information about the guidelines and process for submitting an expression of interest
- From time to time, Macquarie may be able to support a prospective global PhD applicant from a globally highly-ranked university that is not a current strategic or specialised partner. Students who have identified a Macquarie academic who would be willing to provide their unique expertise to the PhD project supervision may request the academic to contact gr.globalprograms@mq.edu.au to discuss the proposal.