Are PhD entry requirements too low?

A new report, which claims that too many people are being admitted into PhD programmes, says entry requirements for PhD programmes in Australian universities need reform, reports Study International.

According to the Design Options for the Future Doctorate report by the Melbourne Centre for the Study of Higher Education at the University of Melbourne, a third of experts surveyed indicated that more than 60% of their PhD applicants were admitted, while around half of experts said they admitted more than 40% of applicants. “Such high admission rates raise questions about entry standards, and about programme and student alignment and expectations,” the report said. Twenty-eight universities participated in the survey, while 673 graduates and 338 institution experts contributed data.

Project leader Hamish Coates described admissions as an area “where Australia lags”. “Many other countries have more robust entrance tests and interviews that give more weight to considerations of the students’ capability and prospects,” he said.
Full report on the Study International site