The Interdisciplinary Engineering (ITDE) Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program allows students to develop unique expertise in emerging areas that may not be covered by traditional departmental degree programs and provides a path for those whose research interests cross engineering disciplines and/or college lines.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Education: The PhD is a programme of independent, self-directed academic research degree, supported by a team of supervisors that makes an original contribution to knowledge written up in a publishable dissertation. The PhD programme also supports the development of research and generic skills to equip you to operate successfully as a professional researcher in any setting. The essential requirement of a PhD is the creation of new knowledge. Being a researcher means developing new ideas and improving understanding through the creation of new knowledge.

The SMC doctorate programs aim to develop participant’s abilities to undertake independent research at an advanced level and make an original and significant contribution to knowledge and professional practice. Doctoral program students can be mid-career individuals who have already established themselves as business leaders or are on track to being appointed to executive positions and are supported in their academic ambition by their employing organization.

The purpose of doctoral studies in the field of Philosophy of Religion is for students to cultivate, in the usual way for advanced studies, their ability to examine, using philosophical tools and approaches, religious phenomena and issues relating to the religious dimension of human culture, including theological thought and its traditions. Students learn to reflect critically on these approaches and their results and to interpret them both in their specific context and within the framework of current academic knowledge. In direct connection with its multidisciplinary nature, this study program develops the skills necessary for analyzing complex issues, and students learn to combine various specialist perspectives and discourses in evaluating specific findings and testing hypotheses, while at the same time ensuring that the methods used are appropriate, the thinking is precise, and complex or controversial problems are expressed clearly. The study program not only leads to the acquisition of expert knowledge and skills, but also develops the ability to understand views, concepts, teachings and theories that are non-traditional or differ from one’s own, cultivates argumentative approaches to critical debate, and refines the ability to evaluate oneself and to formulate one’s own opinion or position.

It is an interuniversity doctoral program specialized in the area of Logic and Philosophy of Science, carried out by institutions of recognized national and international excellence. His lines of research are: argumentation and logic, philosophy of language and mind, philosophy of science, and social studies of science and technology.

A research thesis on philosophy offers students in the programme an opportunity to improve their analytical, critical, expressive, and interpretative skills, and to build and respond to both spoken and written arguments. The programme also suggests using philosophical wisdom as a way of dealing with life, whether it is a specific problem or a general depression. Implementing serious academic research in this area is, without doubt, the beginning of a process that can enrich one's life immensely.

For this degree, students write a thesis under supervision, on a topic selected in consultation with the Department. The topic must be in line with the expertise of the available lecturers. An article of publishable quality must be submitted with the thesis. A Doctoral conference of both the proposal and the thesis is required in accordance with the regulations of the Department of Philosophy.

Doctor of Philosophy in Cognitive Science The Department of Cognitive Science offers a PhD program in Cognitive Science. This research-based, interdisciplinary program offers specialization in the fields of social cognition, cognitive development, and formal and biological models of perception and learning. Students may take courses in cognitive psychology, philosophy of mind, cognitive anthropology, visual perception and computational modelling.

We are committed to developing our postgraduate students into competent educational researchers able to conduct rigorous research using a variety of methodological approaches. We welcome inquiries about possible research topics both theoretical and empirical.

The graduate is a highly educated expert who has shown an ability to develop their knowledge in a creative way. The dissertation demonstrates an outstanding contribution in a specialisation chosen from a wide range of themes, including the history of ideas, practical and theoretical philosophy and topics in contemporary thinking. The graduate is equipped, in terms of knowledge, method and language skills, to do independent research in philosophy and social sciences. He/she can be employed as a researcher in social sciences, university teacher, editor or translator of expert publications, critic, commentator, or executive worker and analyst in state administration. The graduate has analytical and language skills applicable to a large scale of professions which need critical thinking, ranging from public agencies to private enterprises.

The PhD is a University-wide research degree which involves an intense period of supervised study and research, leading to an original and significant contribution to knowledge. This is a degree of the future and is a recognised path for those wishing to assume leadership positions in their field of specialisation.

An acceptable level of proficiency in English is required.

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is the highest degree offered by the University of Otago. It is awarded on the submission of a thesis which must meet rigorous standards. It requires highly developed academic ability, independence and perseverance. Most students take between 3-4 years of full-time study to complete their PhD.

A candidate for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy shall undertake a program of study and research approved by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor. The program shall include the presentation of a thesis and/or other work approved by the Committee, embodying the results of the candidates study and research, for examination.

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programme aims to develop practice-oriented thought leaders for the industry or society. It caters to those who wish to conduct applied research work that addresses issues and challenges pertinent to society, industry or professional practice. While students may choose to specialise in a specific discipline, researches that adopt an interdisciplinary approach are encouraged in view of the complexity of many contemporary issues and challenges.