Attaining a PhD isn’t just about the thing you do. It’s also about you and your capabilities.

The AQF Policy

To provide a language for capability development, we can look to the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), which is the national policy for regulated qualifications in Australian education and training. We have to adhere to it. For a PhD, here’s a link to an overvoew of AQF Level 10: Doctoral Degrees:

https://www.aqf.edu.au/framework/aqf-qualifications#toc-aqf-level-10-doctoral-degree-3

The UTS PhD

As of 2023 there is a single Doctorate framework that guides UTS PhDs. This framework aligns to AQF Level 10, as well as to the qualities that are the hallmark of a UTS researcher, including the ability to:

  1. Demonstrate an integrated knowledge of the theoretical underpinnings of the relevant specialised field necessary for a career in academia or relevant professions
  2. Integrate research principles and concepts and apply them to relevant academic and/or professional disciplines
  3. Critically reflect, synthesise and evaluate existing academic and other relevant literature in the research field
  4. Apply critical and creative thinking to address major research issues in the field of specialisation
  5. Develop, adapt and implement research methodologies to extend and redefine existing knowledge, including for creative or professional practice
  6. Communicate research clearly and fluently, in high-quality forms appropriate for academic and/or professional audiences, and where feasible to lay or public audiences
  7. Understand and rigorously apply ethical research and the core professional obligations, values and operations of researchers as appropriate to the relevant discipline and field of professional practice
  8. Generate original knowledge and understanding to make a substantial contribution to knowledge, including for creative or professional practice
  9. Consider the implications of research in relation to Indigenous peoples and communities in Australia and global contexts, where relevant

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