Education · Graduate School
PhD and MSc by Research
The Graduate School at Veyra offers two research degrees: a four-year Doctor of Philosophy and a two-year MSc by Research. Both are fully funded, full-time, and supervised by an active Veyra faculty member.
Overview
Both degrees are centred on original research conducted at the Calder Mesa Campus under the supervision of a named principal investigator from one of Veyra's fifteen research groups. Enrolment is open to candidates who hold, or expect to hold before the start date, a first-class or upper-second-class undergraduate degree (or its international equivalent) in a relevant discipline.
The Graduate School does not operate a taught-first-year model. Students begin working within their research group from the first week, attending the Institute's cross-division seminar series and any division-specific training sessions alongside their primary research duties.
Applications for both degrees are reviewed twice per year, with October and April intake dates. The Graduate School Dean — Prof. Idris Komnenos — oversees all admissions decisions, with input from the relevant group lead and an independent admissions reader.
Research areas
Supervision is available across all five divisions: Computational & Data Systems, Molecular & Materials Engineering, Quantum & Photonic Systems, Cognitive & Neural Science, and Earth & Climate Systems. See the research groups directory for current advertised projects and supervisor availability.
PhD vs. MSc by Research — a comparison
Both degrees share the same application process and supervisory structure; they differ primarily in scope, duration, and expected output.
| Criterion | PhD | MSc by Research |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 4 years (full-time) | 2 years (full-time) |
| Annual stipend | 32,000 cr (tax-free) | 28,000 cr (tax-free) |
| Fees | Covered in full | Covered in full |
| Principal output | Doctoral thesis (min. 60,000 words) + viva voce examination | Research dissertation (min. 30,000 words) + oral examination |
| Supervision | Lead supervisor + at least one co-supervisor | Lead supervisor |
| Progression milestone | 9-month review (go/no-go continuation) | 6-month review (go/no-go continuation) |
| Mid-point assessment | 24-month upgrade from provisional to full PhD candidacy | Not applicable |
| Annual review | Yes — with Graduate School panel | Yes — with Graduate School panel |
| Conference attendance | Supported (budget: 1,200 cr/yr) | Supported (budget: 800 cr/yr) |
| Facility access | Full, priority booking | Full, priority booking |
| Eligible for Veyra Fellows (postdoc)? | Yes, after award | No (doctorate required) |
| Typical next step | Postdoc, research scientist, faculty | Industry R&D, doctoral study |
PhD — programme structure
Induction and preliminary research
New doctoral candidates attend a two-week induction programme covering research integrity, facility safety protocols, and the Institute's data management requirements. The first nine months are spent establishing the research questions, conducting a structured literature review, and completing any prerequisite methodological training identified at offer stage.
Nine-month review (continuation decision)
A written report of approximately 10,000 words — including background, research questions, preliminary results, and a work plan — is submitted to the Graduate School. A panel of two reviewers (the supervisor and one independent reader) assesses the report and holds a 45-minute discussion with the candidate. The panel recommends continuation, probationary continuation (with conditions), or withdrawal. The majority of candidates proceed unconditionally at this stage.
Core research phase
The candidate conducts their primary experimental or computational work, with access to all core facilities and guided by the supervision team. Annual progress reviews with a Graduate School panel take place at months 12 and 24. Candidates are expected to present at the Institute's internal graduate conference and to submit at least one first-authored manuscript to a peer-reviewed journal before the upgrade assessment.
Upgrade to full candidacy
The upgrade is Veyra's formal transition from provisional to full doctoral candidacy. Candidates submit an upgrade document (typically 20,000–25,000 words) and present before an upgrade committee of three members, at least one of whom is independent of the candidate's supervision team. A successful upgrade confirms the thesis scope and expected submission date.
Thesis completion and submission
Candidates write up and defend their doctoral thesis. The minimum thesis length is 60,000 words. The thesis is examined by two examiners (one internal, one external to Veyra) in an oral examination (viva voce). Examiners may award the degree, require minor corrections (addressed within three months), require major corrections (addressed within twelve months), or — in rare cases — refer the candidate for resubmission.
MSc by Research — programme structure
Induction and research design
MSc candidates complete the same two-week induction as doctoral students and then move directly into scoping their research with their supervisor. The six-month review requires a written research plan of approximately 5,000 words plus evidence of initial data collection or pilot work.
Six-month review
A panel comprising the supervisor and one Graduate School reader assesses the research plan and meets with the candidate for a 30-minute discussion. Continuation, probationary continuation, or transfer to the doctoral programme (with agreement) are the available outcomes.
Research and writing
Candidates complete their empirical or computational work and begin writing the dissertation. An annual review at month 12 tracks progress and confirms a realistic submission date. MSc candidates present a poster at the Institute's internal graduate conference in the second year.
Dissertation submission and oral examination
The minimum dissertation length is 30,000 words. Examination is conducted by two readers — at least one of whom is a Veyra faculty member not involved in supervision — in a 60-minute oral examination. Outcomes mirror those for the doctorate: award, minor corrections, or major corrections.
Next steps
Admissions & funding
Eligibility, application process, deadlines, and funding conditions for every track.
Apply →Find a supervisor
Browse all fifteen research groups to identify a potential supervisor and project area.
Research groups →Admissions guide
Download the full graduate admissions guide — including a step-by-step application checklist.
Download PDF →