Humanities and Social Sciences

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is the highest supervised degree Massey University offers. The degree is awarded for a thesis that demonstrates the candidate's ability to carry out independent research that provides a significant contribution to the knowledge and understanding of a field of study.

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is the highest degree available in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. It covers a wide range of subjects in humanities, education and social sciences. It is a prestigious research qualification essential for a rewarding career in any research institution or university. The Graduate Research School provides administrative and management services for doctoral degrees. Candidates complete a PhD by dissertation.

The thesis is an integrated report of supervised work. If it consists of several studies or cases, the candidate shall demonstrate their relationship to one another. The thesis may consist of the candidate's published or unpublished material, or a combination of both

The PhD normally involves research for a minimum of three years full-time, or four years part-time. Research conducted for the Master's Degree may form part of the doctoral thesis.

The degree is awarded for a thesis which demonstrates the candidate's ability to carry out independent research which is a significant contribution to the knowledge and understanding of a field of study. The thesis shall be an integrated report of supervised work and if it consists of several studies or cases, their relationship to one another shall be demonstrated. The thesis may consist of the candidate's published or unpublished material or a combination of both.

A candidate for the degree shall have qualified for admission to a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree with First or Second Class Honours, Division I, or the equivalent.

Massey University Masterate Scholarship

Masterate Scholarships are offered for the purpose of encouraging postgraduate research at Massey University. Applicants must be enrolled or eligible to enrol full-time in a 120 credit research programme towards a Masters degree at Massey University.

Massey University Masterate Scholarship for Māori Students

Masterate Scholarships for Māori students are offered for the purpose of encouraging postgraduate research at Massey University. Applicants must be enrolled or eligible to enrol full-time in a 120 credit research programme towards a Masters degree.