Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
KPT/JPT (N/0500/8/0002) 08/31 - MQA/SWA17707
Be part of a proud tradition of research excellence.
In the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program, you will conduct independent research on an extensive project in your chosen discipline, supported by a minimum of two academic supervisors throughout your doctoral candidature. Your study will result in a research thesis of 100,000 words, which makes a valuable contribution to the current body of knowledge on your chosen topic.
Monash scientists are consistently setting new standards that influence technological developments, contribute to improvements in health and social well-being, support environmental sustainability, and result in advances in industrial practices.
By undertaking a PhD in Science, you'll become a member of a dynamic community of scholars committed to innovation and discovery and contribute to the advancement of knowledge within your area of expertise in a stimulating, supportive and professional environment. You'll have access to internationally renowned research centres and develop connections with local industry and government.
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 the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Science 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.
You can explore a variety of research areas within our Doctor of Philosophy program, including:
- Biodiversity and conservation
- Biotechnology
- Chemistry
- Food science and technology
- Genetics, genomics and bioinformatics
- Infectious diseases
- Medical bioscience
- Microbiology
- Natural products and drug discovery
- Tropical and environmental biology
Monash Science PhD graduates are highly employable, with many pursuing careers in academia and industry around the world. You'll find employment in:
- genetic engineering
- agricultural support
- pharmaceutical science
- banking and finance
- environmental consulting
- hospitals and medical institutes
- research
- food industries.
Top 100 in the world
Your doctorate degree will be recognised wherever you want to work or study in the world. Monash University is ranked (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026):
- No. 26 for Life Sciences and Medicine
- No. 41 for Anatomy and Physiology
- No. 47 in the world for Chemistry
- No. 52 in the world for Environmental Sciences
- No. 56 for Biological Sciences
- No. 58 for Natural Sciences.
Research excellence
Our interdisciplinary teams of researchers collaboratively work on critical problems at the intersection of biology, chemistry and medicine to deliver solutions for food, water, environmental and health. If you’re open-minded, practical, curious, and able to question why, you have what it takes to make scientific discoveries that’ll change the world we live in.
Finest infrastructure
Our research is supported by specialised facilities and comprehensive resources that can meet the demands of academic research and industrial collaborations. You’ll have access to innovative and high-performance infrastructure providing quality research services.
Advanced genomics facility
The first laboratory and research platform at Monash University Malaysia to achieve the ISO 9001:2015 standard, our genomics facility provides moderate to high throughput nucleic acid sequencing services to support researchers from the Malaysian and Australian campuses. It has produced over 150 publications and generated more than 1.7 terabytes of sequencing data.
Delivering impact
Significant developments in biology over the past 50 years are enhancing our ability to understand and shape the biosphere. Researchers on our Tropical Medicine and Biology platform are driving transformation in Southeast Asia and the tropics in key focus areas such as food security and biodiversity, telemedicine, immunity and infection, clinical research, human genetics, systems biology, and genomics.
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.
To apply for the Doctor of Philosophy, you must have completed at least one of the following:
- A bachelor’s degree requiring at least four years of full-time study in a relevant field, and which normally includes a research component in the fourth year, leading to an honours 1 or 2A in a relevant field
- A course leading to a level rated by the University as equivalent to an honours 1 or 2A in a relevant field
- A master’s degree that entails work, normally including a significant research component, including at least 25% of one full-time equivalent year of work, including a thesis. It is normally expected that a grade of honours 2A has been obtained for the research thesis or project. Where ungraded, examiner’s reports will be taken into account
- Have qualifications which in the opinion of the Graduate Research Committee and Monash Graduate Research Office are deemed equivalent.
Please refer to the Admission criteria for more details.
Application process
Related courses
Get in touch
Visit the School of Science or contact the Monash University Malaysia Graduate Research Office at mum.gro@monash.edu for more information about this degree.