PhD Xtra

Join a community of more than 1,700 graduate research candidates who are leveraging world-class facilities, strategic partnerships, innovative research centres and Deakin’s reputation to make an impact. All Deakin graduate research candidates are automatically part of this program, which is designed to help you develop the skills to solve complex challenges with confidence.

PhD Xtra is designed around three core components:

• Individual Learning Plans (ILP)
• coursework opportunities
• career pathway placements

Below, you’ll find more detailed information on each of these key areas and how they contribute to your professional and academic development.

Individual Learning Plans

The ILP is an online tool that helps you plan, document and track your skills and knowledge development during your research degree. Working with your supervisor, you’ll design a personalised plan that includes training aligned with your research and career goals. Your plan can be updated throughout your candidature.

It’s best to discuss your ILP early, ideally during your Candidature Agreement, and revisit it regularly. Supervisors can suggest relevant training from the ILP catalogue but cannot directly add components.

Training options cover research skills, advanced methods, equipment training certification, laboratory inductions and occupational health and safety training. Completed components may count towards your Australian Higher Education Graduation Statement or a portfolio to support your career. External training can also be included, subject to approval and cost discussion.

Note that if you transfer from a research master’s to a PhD, your ILP continues without duplication of requirements.

Coursework opportunities

As part of the PhD Xtra program, you’ll complete at least one unit of research training coursework. Some academic units may require additional units, depending on your faculty or discipline.

New candidates will select their coursework during the admission process. Current graduate researchers can discuss coursework options with their supervisor and get approval from their academic unit. If you’ve already completed required coursework as part of your master’s at Deakin, you won’t need to retake it, though you may choose to complete additional units to enhance your PhD experience.

There are no additional fees for coursework at Deakin for domestic or international graduate research candidates. If you wish to pursue external coursework, you’ll need to discuss costs with your academic unit.

Career pathway placement program

PhD Xtra offers a voluntary and flexible career pathway placement program designed to provide practical experience and networking opportunities.

Placements are contingent on available opportunities and, where possible, the University will identify and facilitate these on your behalf. However, in many cases, graduate researchers and supervisors play an essential role in discovering and securing these opportunities.

Although placements are available to all graduate research candidates, access may vary based on personal interests, career goals, placement provider availability and the network connections of academic units, supervisors and graduate researchers. Placements must fit within the normal candidature time limit, with a maximum of six months for each placement.