The DIT degree provides an opportunity to combine a doctoral thesis with the coursework component of an IT-related Master of Science. It allows research into an area of interest developed within the coursework, leading to a significant contribution to professional practice in information technology.

The DIT Program allows students to undertake a coursework program of study followed by research into an area of interest developed within the coursework, leading to a significant contribution to professional practice in information technology.

The degree consists of one half coursework (equivalent to three sessions full time) and one half research (equivalent to three sessions full time) which may be taken in an area encountered by the student while undertaking coursework. All coursework must be completed before the commencement of the dissertation.

The coursework component of the degree begins with enrolment in an IT-related Master of Science.

1. The degree of Doctor of Information Technology may be awarded by the Council to a candidate who has satisfactorily completed a program of coursework and research.

2. Qualifications

(1) A candidate for the degree shall have been awarded an appropriate degree of Bachelor with Honours or Master by formal coursework from The University of New South Wales or a qualification considered equivalent from another university or tertiary institution at a level acceptable to the Postgraduate Coursework Education Committee of the University College (herein after referred to as the PCEC). In addition, a candidate shall have a minimum of three years of relevant professional experience.

(2) In exceptional cases an applicant who submits evidence of such other academic and professional qualifications as may be approved by the PCEC may be permitted to enrol for the degree.

(3) If the PCEC is not satisfied with the qualifications submitted by an applicant the PCEC may require the applicant to undergo such assessment or carry out such work as the PCEC may prescribe, before permitting enrolment.


3. Enrolment and Progression

(1) An application to enrol as a candidate for the degree shall be made on the prescribed form which shall be lodged with Student Administrative Services by the advertised date.

(2) A candidate for the degree shall undertake such courses and pass such assessment as prescribed.

(3) The program of study shall comprise a coursework stage and a research stage. The coursework stage shall total a minimum of 72 units of credit. If a candidate's average mark on completion of 48 units of credit of coursework is less than 70%, the candidate shall be awarded a MSc in Information Technology and shall not be permitted to continue as a candidate for the DIT. The coursework stage must be completed, with an average mark of at least 70%, before a candidate may progress to the research stage.

(4) During the coursework stage, the progress of a candidate shall be reviewed at the end of each main session by the PCEC under the Academic Standing scheme. Movement between levels of academic standing is based on progress, measured by cumulative number of failures. As a result of its review the PCEC may change the academic standing of a student or cancel enrolment.

(5) During the research stage, the progress of the candidate shall be considered by the Research Committee following reporting from the School

(6) A full-time candidate will present the thesis for examination no earlier than three years and no later than five years from the date of enrolment and a part-time candidate will present the thesis for examination no earlier than four years and no later than six years from the date of enrolment, except with the approval of the Research Committee.

(7) The candidate may undertake the research as an internal student i.e. at a campus, teaching hospital, or other research facility with which the University is associated, or as an external student not in attendance at the University except for periods as may be prescribed by the Research Committee.

(8) An internal candidate will normally carry out the research on a campus or at a teaching or research facility of the University except that the Research Committee may permit a candidate to spend a period in the field, within another institution or elsewhere away from the University provided that the work can be supervised in a manner satisfactory to the Research Committee. In such instances the Research Committee shall be satisfied that the location and period of time away from the University are necessary to the research program.

(9) The research shall be supervised by a supervisor or supervisors who are members of the academic staff of the School or under other appropriate supervision arrangements approved by the Research Committee. Normally an external candidate within another organisation or institution will have a co-supervisor at that institution.

4. Thesis

(1) On completing the program of study a candidate shall submit a thesis embodying the results of the investigation.

(2) The candidate shall give in writing to Student Administrative Services two months notice of intention to submit the thesis.

(3) The thesis shall comply with the following requirements:

(4) The candidate may not submit as the main content of the thesis any work or material which has previously been submitted for a university degree or other similar award but may submit any work previously published whether or not such work is related to the thesis.

(5) Four copies of the thesis shall be presented in a form which complies with the requirements of the University for the preparation and submission of theses for higher degrees.

(6) It shall be understood that the University has the right to retain the four copies of the thesis submitted for examination and is free to allow the thesis to be consulted or borrowed. Subject to the provisions of the Copyright Act, 1968, the University may issue the thesis in whole or in part, in photostat or microfilm or other copying medium.

5. Examination

(1) There shall be no fewer than three examiners of the thesis, appointed by the Research Committee, at least two of whom shall be external to the University.

(2) At the conclusion of the examination each examiner shall submit to the Research Committee a concise report on the thesis and shall recommend to the Research Committee one of the following:

(a) The thesis be noted as satisfactory.
(b) The thesis be noted as satisfactory subject to minor corrections as listed being made to the satisfaction of the Head of School.
(c) The thesis requires further work on matters detailed in my report. Should performance in this further work be to the satisfaction of the Research Committee, the thesis would be noted as satisfactory.
(d) The thesis be noted as unsatisfactory in its present form and further work as described in my report is required. The revised thesis should be subject to re-examination.
(e) The thesis be noted as unsatisfactory and does not demonstrate that resubmission would be likely to achieve a satisfactory response.

(3) If the performance in the further work recommended under (2)(c) above is not to the satisfaction of the Research Committee, the Research Committee may permit the candidate to submit the thesis for re-examination as determined by the Research Committee within a period determined by it but not exceeding eighteen months.

(4) The Committee shall, after consideration of the examiners' reports, any further reports on the thesis, the results of any further examination and of the prescribed course of study, recommend whether or not the candidate be awarded the degree. If it is decided that the candidate be not awarded the degree the Committee shall determine whether or not the candidate may resubmit the thesis after a further period of study and/or research.

(5) If it is determined that the candidate not be awarded the degree and not be permitted to resubmit the thesis after a further period of study and/or research, and the candidate completed at least 8 courses during the coursework stage of the degree, the candidate will be awarded a Master of Science in Information Technology.

6. Fees
A candidate shall pay such fees as may be determined from time to time by the Council.

For information regarding fees for UNSW programs, please refer to the following website:  https://my.unsw.edu.au/student/fees/FeesMainPage.html