DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (PHD) IN EDUCATION

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Education offers students the opportunity to make a mark by contributing to existing knowledge with their own thoughts and angle of interpreting findings in a new light.

At UNITAR, under academic supervision, an original thesis will be completed at the end of the course, using the knowledge and skills the undergraduate learnt during the programme.

Our programme seeks to prepare scholars whose research will address critical problems in education, develop our understanding of teaching and learning in diverse contexts, and lead to improved outcomes for all learners.

• Dual languages - caters to different market segments (public school teachers + private school teachers)
• Strong industry partnerships that provide real research experience
• Flexible learning and communication for research programme.

Course Structure

Year 1

• Advanced Research Methodology*
• Proposal and Thesis Writing*
• Advanced Qualitative Analysis Techniques*
• Advanced Research Ethics*
• Advanced Quantitative Analysis*
• Proposal Preparation 1
• Proposal Submission
• Review of Literature 1

Year 2

• Review of Literature 2
• Proposal Defense
• Pilot / Preliminary Study
• Data Collection
• Data Analysis

Year 3

• Thesis Writing and Review of Thesis
• Submission of Thesis & Final Defense

Career Prospects

• Subject Matter Experts (SME)
• Lecturers / Senior Lecturers for Public and Private Universities
• Administrators

Entry Requirements

Programme Entry Requirements

You must meet the following requirements in order to be considered for entry to the UNITAR Ph.D Programme:

• i. A Master’s Degree, as accepted by UNITAR Senate; OR
• ii. Other qualifications equivalent to a Master’s Degree, as accepted by UNITAR Senate.

Candidates without a qualification in the related fields or working experience in the relevant fields must undergo appropriate prerequisite courses determined by the HEP and meet the minimum CGPA based on (i) to (ii).

Note for PhD by Research

a. There is no direct entry from the Degree’s programme to the Doctoral level;
b. Qualified Degree’s candidates who enroll for a Master’s program, can apply to change their studies to a Doctorate program within (1) one year after signing for Master’s program and subject to the following provisions;

• Have demonstrated competence and capability in conducting research at Doctoral level;
• Rigorous internal assessment by UNITAR; and
• Approval from UNITAR Senate.

Language Requirements

International students

• Minimum score of 5.0 for IELTS OR
• Minimum score of 40 for TOEFL OR its equivalent.

STUDENT PASS / VISA REQUIREMENTS (INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS)

All international students who plan to study full-time in Malaysia are required to obtain a Student Pass (Student Visa) before starting their studies.

• You must receive an official Offer Letter from the university before applying for a student pass

• The university will submit your Student Pass application through Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) on your behalf

• A Visa Approval Letter (VAL / eVAL) is required before travelling to Malaysia

• Studying on a tourist or social visit visa is not permitted

• Your passport must be valid for at least 18 months from your intended intake date

• Visa processing time depends on EMGS and Malaysian Immigration approval

• After arriving in Malaysia, all students must complete a medical check-up at an EMGS-registered clinic

• Your Student Pass will be issued only after medical clearance and document verification

• Continuing students must renew their Student Pass before it expires

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR STUDENT PASS APPLICATION

The following documents are commonly required for all international students:

• Valid passport (clear scanned copy of all pages, including blank pages)

• Passport-size photograph with a white background

• Official Offer Letter from the university

• Academic certificates and transcripts related to your programme

• English language proficiency certificate (IELTS / TOEFL or equivalent), if required

• Proof of acceptance or tuition fee payment (if requested by the university)

• Student Pass / Visa processing fee as determined by EMGS

• Completed EMGS Health Declaration Form (if applicable)

Please note: All documents not originally in English must be submitted together with certified English translations.

ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS (IF APPLICABLE)

Some students may be asked to provide extra documents depending on their situation:

• Release Letter and Visa Cancellation Letter (for students transferring from another institution in Malaysia)

• School Leaving Certificate (for foundation or diploma applicants)

• Sponsorship or Scholarship Letter (if your studies are funded)

• Proof of financial support to cover tuition fees and living expenses

• Statutory Declaration (if there are name differences across documents)

• Resume or Character Reference Letter (commonly required for applicants above 23 years old)

• Police Clearance Certificate (if requested by EMGS or embassy authorities)

• Copy of previous Malaysian visa or Resident Pass (if applicable)

AFTER ARRIVING IN MALAYSIA

Once you arrive in Malaysia, you will need to:

• Complete a medical examination at an EMGS-approved clinic

• Submit your passport for Student Pass endorsement

• Receive a temporary Special Pass (if applicable) while your Student Pass is being processed

• Collect your Student Pass and complete university registration

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

• Student Pass requirements are set by Malaysian Immigration and EMGS and may vary by nationality
• The university’s International Office will guide you through each step of the process
• Students are strongly advised to prepare documents at least 2–3 months before intake
• Requirements may change, so always follow the latest instructions provided by the university