Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Duration

3-4 years (full-time) or 6-8 years (part-time)

Type

Research

Intake

15 January, 1 May, 15 July, and 15 October (subject to availability of supervision). Flexibility may apply for students whose enrolment is supported by external funding.

Fees

In 2026, the annual tuition fees for this course are:

• RM48,480 for Malaysian students
• RM54,720 for international students.

General fees:

• Application (once only) - RM100
• Registration (once only) - RM200
• General amenities (per semester) - RM100
• International student pass application - Click here.

• Anticancer therapeutics
• Clinical pharmacy
• Complementary and alternative medicine
  Digital health
• Drug delivery
• Drug discovery and development
• Health economics
• Health policy
• Medicinal chemistry
• Microbiology
• Neuropharmacology and medical biochemistry
• Organics and biomolecular chemistry
• Pharmaceutical analysis/Pharmaceutical sciences
• Pharmacogenomics
• Pharmacoepidemiology and evidence synthesis
• Pharmacognosy
• Pharmacology
• Pharmacy practice
• Public health

The course consists of a research and thesis component of no more than 80,000 words, and a professional development training program.

Ranked #2 in the world
Monash University is ranked #2 in the world for pharmacy and pharmacology (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026).

Benefit from expert supervision
Our cohort of research-active academic staff brings a wealth of insight and experience from industry and professional practice. You’ll receive consistently excellent teaching and guidance for the best learning outcomes.

A reputation for excellence
Our researchers are leaders in their fields who regularly publish in international journals and present their work at major conferences around the world. Some serve on editorial boards of leading journals, and many are involved actively in engagement with the community, pharmaceutical industries and professional bodies.

Vibrant research environment
By undertaking your graduate studies at Monash, you'll have the opportunity to be part of our stimulating, supportive and professional research environment. You'll also gain a genuine competitive advantage going into the workforce.

Be supported
We're committed to supporting young scholars who want to change the world for the better. Click here to view our range of prestigious scholarships.

Entry requirements

To enter Monash University, you must satisfy particular academic, English language and age requirements.

All applicants must be able to demonstrate a capacity to carry out independent research and have adequate training, qualifications and ability to pursue the proposed course of study. In all cases, the qualifications described below are expected to be equivalent to Australian Qualifications Framework levels and standards.

In considering applicants' qualifications from international institutions, the Graduate Research Committee (GRC) will consider a range of qualifications, publications, experience and demonstrated research capacity.


Standard entry

The minimum academic qualification requirements for admission into a PhD or doctoral course are:

• A bachelor’s degree of at least four years in a relevant discipline, which includes a research thesis or project, with a minimum overall average grade of an honours degree equivalent to the Second Class Honours Division A; or
• A master's degree in a relevant discipline which includes a research thesis or project equivalent to at least 25 percent of one year of full-time study, with a minimum overall average grade of honours equivalent to the Second Class Honours Division A; or
• A qualification, or combination of qualifications and relevant professional experience, deemed equivalent by the GRC (or delegate).

Please refer to the Admission criteria for more details.

Application process