Admission Requirement
Applicants for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programme must possess:
a) a master’s degree from Universiti Utara Malaysia or any other institutions of higher learning recognised by the University Senate; or
b) a bachelor’s Degree with CGPA of at least 3.67/First Class or equivalent from Universiti Utara Malaysia or any other institutions of higher learning recognised by the University Senate and pass the interview conducted by the Postgraduate Committee; or
c) any other equivalent qualifications recognised by the University Senate; and
d) fulfil the English language requirement as set by the University Senate.
Applicants for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programme under OYAGSB and UUMCOB must possess:
a) a master’s degree from Universiti Utara Malaysia or any other institutions of higher learning recognised by the University Senate. For a master degree with CGPA, the minimum CGPA is 3.00; or
b) a bachelor’s Degree with CGPA of at least 3.67/First Class or equivalent from Universiti Utara Malaysia or any other institutions of higher learning recognised by the University
Senate and pass the interview conducted by the Postgraduate Committee; or
c) any other equivalent qualifications recognised by the University Senate; and
d) fulfil the English language requirement as set by the University Senate.
Other requirements for PhD:
i. The applicants should attach a motivational letter and research proposal.
ii. The applicants must propose supervisors’ name who have already agreed with the
research topic.
iii. For those who are short listed will be called for an interview session.
English Language Requirement
ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT FOR POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS
A. All international candidates should meet any one of the following English language requirements set by the University before they are accepted for admission.
1. Satisfy any one of the following English language assessments with the requirement to attend the SCLE4186 Academic English Language Enhancement for Postgraduates during the study:
a) TOEFL score of between 477 to 549 for Paper Based Test
b) TOEFL score between 53 to 79 for Internet Based Test
c) IELTS of Band 5.5
d) MUET of Band 3.0
e) Cambridge English Advanced Test score of between 162 to 168
f) Pearson Test of English Academic score of between 42 to 49
2. Satisfy any one of the following English language assessments without the requirement to attend the SCLE4186 Academic English Language Enhancement for Postgraduate during the study:
a) TOEFL Score of 550 and above in the Paper Based Test
b) TOEFL Score of 80 and above in the Internet Based Test
c) IELTS of Band 6.0 and above
d) MUET of Band 4.0 and above
e) Cambridge English Advanced Test score of 169 and above
f) Pearson Test of English Academic score of 50 and above
B. Exemption for meeting the above English Language requirement are given to candidates with any of the following qualifications:
a) Obtain a degree from any institutions with English language Education System
b) Obtain a degree from any Public University in Malaysia with English as a language of instruction
c) Obtain a degree from any Private University or College University in Malaysia that are listed in Malaysian Qualifications Register (MQR)
C. Students who do not meet any of the above English language requirement will not be allowed to register for courses or continue with their programme of study. They may attend the Intensive Language Course for International Students that will prepare and assist them for their MUET examination.
Programme Duration
DOCTORAL PROGRAMME: RESEARCH
| Mode |
Minimum Period (trimesters) |
Maximum Period (trimesters) |
| Full-time |
Three (3) years
[nine (9) trimesters]
|
Five (5) years
[fifteen(15) trimesters]
|
| Part-time |
Four (4) years
[twelve (12) trimesters]
|
Seven (7) years
[twenty one (21) trimesters]
|
FAQ
1. Can I register on a part-time basis?
You may register for a part-time study for all or part of your candidacy. However, due to Immigration Service requirements, international students are not allowed to register as a part-time student.
2. What is the normal duration of a PhD study at STML?
Full-time students will have to complete their study between 9 to 15 trimesters and part-time students shall take 12 to 21 trimesters to complete. Where a student is a part-timer for the entire period, the maximum time allowed is seven years. This extended time does not apply if, at any time during the PhD course of study, a student undergoes a full-time basis. Where there is a doubt as to whether you have studied on a full-time or part-time basis, then the matter will be resolved by reference to the record held on the University's student database, which is the official record of the course of study.
3. When is the student intake for the PhD programme?
The student intake is carried out three times a year, that is, in September, January and May. However, the application for our PhD programme is open all year round.
4. What is the structure of the PhD programme?
STML provides a structured PhD programme to assist candidates in successfully completing their research. The School continuously conducts research courses, research training series, workshops, colloquiums and symposiums.
Research Courses: Students pursuing the PhD programme are expected to have sufficient research knowledge and skills to enable them to conduct their research. Students who do not possess such knowledge and skills are required to register and pass with at least B grade the following two research courses:
1. SZRZ6014 Research Methodology
2. SCLE6014 Academic Writing
Symposiums: To assist students in their PhD research, arranged by the respective schools for students to present their research work. At least one (1) discussant(s) will be appointed based on their expertise, provide feedback to the students. The students need to present their initial research ideas, research design and instruments to prepare them for data collection and present their research findings to prepare them for final write-ups and the viva.
5. Do I have to defend my research proposal?
Yes, research students have to defend their research proposal. Students are required to submit a written thesis proposal and defend their proposal to a committee consisting of two reviewers and a chairperson. The proposal shall include a research topic, and discussions on research problems, research objectives, research scope, research significance, literature review, theoretical framework, and research methods. Students will be given a pass, a pass with minor corrections, a pass with major corrections, a rescheduled defence, or a fail. Full-time (part-time) PhD students should defend their proposal within the first 18 (24) months from the date of admission.
6. What if I cannot defend my proposal within the stipulated time? What should I do?
who failed to defence within 18 (24) months from the date of admission will be terminated. Full-time (part-time) PhD students, who defended but failed, are allowed to appeal for re-defend within 24 (36) months from the date of admission. Students, who fail in their re-defence, will be terminated from their studies. Full-time (part-time) PhD students, who fail to re-defence within 24 (36) months will be terminated.
7. How are students examined? Is there an oral examination (viva voce)?
UUM requires PhD students to submit a PhD thesis in fulfilment of the requirements for the PhD degree. In addition, students are required to defend their thesis at a viva voce. Prior to the viva voce, a Thesis Examination Board will be set up when the supervisor (or the Thesis Committee) decides that the candidate is ready to submit the thesis for examination. The Thesis Examination Board comprises of a Chairman, an External Examiner, and an Internal Examiner.
Full-time doctoral candidates:
a) Can submit their theses for oral examination (viva voce) earliest after twenty-four (24) months or two (2) years from the date of admission.
b) Should submit their theses within sixty (60) months or five (5) years from the date of admission.
Part-time doctoral candidates:
a) Can submit their theses for oral examination (viva voce) after thirty-six (36) months or three (3) years from the date of admission.
b) Not prejudicing the above-said, theses shall be submitted within eighty-four (84) months or seven (7) years from the date of admission.
Candidates who fail to submit their theses within the specified period will be deemed Fail.
8. What if I can't work or get along with my supervisor? What should I do?
Yes, you have the right to change your supervisor. To apply for a change of a supervisor, you should fill up the "Application for Change of Supervisor" form. In the form, you are to set out the reason(s) for the change. Both the releasing and the accepting supervisors have to sign the form, indicating that they agree with the change.
9. What if I want to change to another PhD area of concentration or programme? What should I do?
You are allowed to change the area of concentration or programme only once during his/her study. An application to change the area of concentration/programme must be made within the first two (2) semesters of his/her candidature. An approval for a new area of concentration/programme is effective on the following semester. You must fill up the change of programme form. Application to change an area of concentration/programme must be approved by the Dean STML.
11. Do we need to find a supervisor before we apply to do PhD at STML?
Students pursuing a PhD programme will be guided by one supervisor, or by one main supervisor and a co-supervisor, or a Thesis Committee comprising at least three (3) members. Prior to sending the application, prospective students are advised to search for the supervisor(s), communicate with them and get their approval of becoming a supervisor. Please visit our Directory of Experts to look for potential supervisors. UUM has many experts in various fields who are ready to supervise potential candidates. Send emails to several academic staff you identified form the website. You must complete and submit an application form together with your intent of study and evidence of the supervisor's approval to the Admission Unit, UPS COB.
