Doctor of Design
Overview
The Doctor of Design meets the rigorous standards of advanced study, research, critical reflection and significant contribution to knowledge required for a research degree equivalent to the traditional PhD.
The first component of the Doctor of Design is a taught component of intensive study in design research methods, Advanced Design Research Methods (HDR904) which prepares students for the Major Design Research Project (HDR905). Major Design Research Project (HDR905) is a supervised research project that builds on the work undertaken in the Advanced Design Research Methods. Advanced Design Research Methods (HDR904) must be completed within 12 months from the date of enrolment in the program and before applying to undertake the Major Design Research Project (HDR905) component of the Doctor of Design.
This program requires successful completion of both the Advanced Design Research Methods (HDR904) and the Major Design Research Project (HDR905). These two components have successfully established a program that provides a framework integrating professional expertise and scholarly inquiry. The taught component builds on the professional expertise of doctoral students by exposing them to leading thinkers and challenging ideas in their fields, as well as the ideals and principles of research. Research undertaken as part of the program is geared to directing and informing change, and to advancing professional practice based on research, reflection, and reasoned argument. Supported by a panel of expert facilitators, graduates of the Doctor of Design bring the highest levels of systematic research knowledge and practice to professional projects. The Doctor of Design fosters excellence in research and professional practice by enabling individuals to apply appropriate theoretical perspectives and methodological approaches to the development of knowledge in a professional context.
Please note you can commence this course at any time during the year. The program will normally be undertaken in three years of full-time study. Following the University’s regulations for the Doctor of Design, the minimum period of candidature for full-time Candidates is 2 years, with the maximum period for local and international candidates being 5 years.
The Faculty of Design offers a Doctor of Design degree on a full-time basis only. The policy for the degree sets out the regulations governing this qualification.
Information sessions
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| Duration | 3 Year/s | ||
Campus and intakes  |
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| Course code | DPD90 | ||
| CRICOS code | 061563D | ||
| Fees* | A$23,250 (annual for 2013)* |
*The indicative course fees shown in Course Search apply to international students studying on-campus in Australia for the relevant year only. They are based on a standard study load per year. However, please note that fees are assessed according to a student's study load in each semester, and variation to study load will result in an adjustment to tuition fees. All fees are subject to annual review and may be adjusted.
Course in detail
Course description
The Doctor of Design meets the rigorous standards of advanced study, research, critical reflection and significant contribution to knowledge required for a research degree equivalent to the traditional PhD.
The first component of the Doctor of Design is a taught component of intensive study in design research methods, Advanced Design Research Methods (HDR904) which prepares students for the Major Design Research Project (HDR905). Major Design Research Project (HDR905) is a supervised research project that builds on the work undertaken in the Advanced Design Research Methods. Advanced Design Research Methods (HDR904) must be completed within 12 months from the date of enrolment in the program and before applying to undertake the Major Design Research Project (HDR905) component of the Doctor of Design.
This program requires successful completion of both the Advanced Design Research Methods (HDR904) and the Major Design Research Project (HDR905). These two components have successfully established a program that provides a framework integrating professional expertise and scholarly inquiry. The taught component builds on the professional expertise of doctoral students by exposing them to leading thinkers and challenging ideas in their fields, as well as the ideals and principles of research. Research undertaken as part of the program is geared to directing and informing change, and to advancing professional practice based on research, reflection, and reasoned argument. Supported by a panel of expert facilitators, graduates of the Doctor of Design bring the highest levels of systematic research knowledge and practice to professional projects. The Doctor of Design fosters excellence in research and professional practice by enabling individuals to apply appropriate theoretical perspectives and methodological approaches to the development of knowledge in a professional context.
Please note you can commence this course at any time during the year. The program will normally be undertaken in three years of full-time study. Following the University’s regulations for the Doctor of Design, the minimum period of candidature for full-time Candidates is 2 years, with the maximum period for local and international candidates being 5 years.
The Faculty of Design offers a Doctor of Design degree on a full-time basis only. The policy for the degree sets out the regulations governing this qualification.
Course structure
The Doctor of Design is specifically designed to apply research to practical applications, and consists of two components:
It is a full-time program and is not offered on a part-time basis. Students enrolled in the Doctor of Design must undertake Advanced Design Research Methods (HDR904) and before proceeding to the Major Design Research Project (HDR905).
Advanced Design Research Methods (HDR904) is the first component of the Doctor of Design program. It is a one-year, full-time work load attracting 100 credit points. These credit points are not accredited towards the Doctorate but apply should the student leave prior to completion. It is a component which includes appropriate research methods, research protocols and academic literacy. This component is undertaken in conjunction with project supervision. It prepares students for the Major Design Research Project (HDR905). This project-based structure reflects international practice in the design industry and design education with the knowledge and skills acquired through practice-led research being those of emerging significance to the profession within a world market.
The outcome delivered at the conclusion of the Advanced Design Research Methods is a written document of a minimum of 6,000 words plus the inclusion of relevant visual material. This program of study develops strategies for information seeking, critical appraisal of research sources, and methods for framing design research projects through text and visual material. It assists candidates in framing a research question by establishing what is and is not known about an area of design-related inquiry, areas of controversy or limitation in the field. The program also gives candidates an overview of research-related topics such as intellectual property, ethical considerations, research policies and procedures and project planning. This part of the Doctor of Design must be completed within 12 months from the date of enrolment in the program.
A candidate must successfully complete Advanced Design Research Methods (HDR904) before applying for research candidature in the Major Design Research Project (HDR905). In rare cases, a candidate may, at this stage, apply for candidature in the PhD. This will only be approved by the Research Higher Degrees Committee if it has been recommended by the Faculty of Design Research Committee. The Faculty of Design Research Committee must satisfy the Research Higher Degrees Committee that the proposed project is better suited to the more theoretical PhD program. Where a student has successfully completed Advanced Design Research Methods (HDR904), but who for any reason does not wish to advance to the Major Design Research Project (HDR905), and is not being recommended to the PhD program, they may be considered by the Research Higher Degrees Committee for candidature in the Masters by Research program.
Major Design Research Project (HDR905) is a supervised research project that builds on the work undertaken in the Advanced Design Research Methods (HDR904). Enrolment in Major Design Research Project (HDR905) is not automatic and candidates must apply for admission via the Research Higher Degrees Committee (see Research Higher Degrees Policy and Procedures, 3.2 Application for Candidature). The examinable outcome is examined externally in accordance with the Swinburne Research Higher Degrees Policy and Procedure. The examinable outcome is normally a designed outcome (50%) and a project document of at least 20,000 words that contextualises the program of practice-led research (50%).
The award of Doctor of Design requires a pass in both the Advanced Design Research Methods (HDR904) and the Major Design Research Project (HDR905).
Units of study
HDR904 Advanced Design Research Methods - 12 months duration.
Students must undertake Advanced Design Research Methods and pass all assessment tasks before applying for the Major Design Research Project.
Students must undertake Advanced Design Research Methods and pass all assessment tasks before applying for the Major Design Research Project.
HDR905 Major Design Research Project - normally two years full time.
This unit is a supervised research project that builds on the work undertaken in the Advanced Design Research Methods.
This unit is a supervised research project that builds on the work undertaken in the Advanced Design Research Methods.
Graduate outcomes
Aims and objectives
The Doctor of Design is based on the principle outlined in the Policy and Procedure for Research Higher Degrees: to offer Research Higher Degrees (RHD) as part of its scholarly contribution to society and as a vehicle for research training and/or professional practice development. A key objective is that graduates of the Doctor of Design will achieve and bring the highest levels of systematic research knowledge and practice to professional projects. The Doctor of Design fosters excellence in research and professional practice by enabling individuals to apply appropriate theoretical perspectives and methodological approaches to the development of knowledge in a professional context.
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
A recognised Masters degree in design or a design-related area, industry experience, and the submission of a portfolio.English language requirements
Swinburne College English for Academic Purposes Certificate: EAP 5 Advanced: 70%; OR, obtaining a minimum IELTS overall band of 6.5 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 6.0; OR, a TOEFL (Paper-based) minimum score of 550 (with Test of Written English (TWE) score of 5); OR, a TOEFL (Internet-based) minimum score of 79, with no individual band below 18. Refer to the English Language Requirements website for further information.
Prerequisites
Applicants must have completed suitable studies in Design at a high level of achievement. For example, either:
• a Masters from a recognised tertiary institution, or
• other relevant qualifications deemed equivalent.
and experience of either:
• a minimum of five years' professional experience, or
• other relevant experience deemed equivalent.
• a Masters from a recognised tertiary institution, or
• other relevant qualifications deemed equivalent.
and experience of either:
• a minimum of five years' professional experience, or
• other relevant experience deemed equivalent.
The duration of the candidature expended within the Advanced Design Research Methods (HDR904) component of the Doctor of Design program is deducted from the candidature time within the Research component of the Doctor of Design program, the PhD program or the Masters by Research program.
Apply
Course fees*
A$23,250 (annual for 2013)*The indicative course fees shown in Course Search apply to international students studying on-campus in Australia for the relevant year only. They are based on a standard study load per year. However, please note that fees are assessed according to a student's study load in each semester, and variation to study load will result in an adjustment to tuition fees. All fees are subject to annual review and may be adjusted.
Scholarships
A range of scholarships is available to international students, visit our Scholarship Page for details.
Find out more
Enquire online: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/international/enquiry
Email: international@swinburne.edu.au
Phone:
+613 8676 7002 (outside Australia)
Freecall 1800 897 973 (within Australia)
