Candidates for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) write a thesis on an approved topic, supported by a USSC supervisory academic team.
This degree is for those with a first or second-class honours bachelor’s degree, a research master’s degree, or a master’s degree by coursework with a research component (75% or above). Alternatively, significant experience and high-level qualifications in the field may be accepted.
Our focus includes American studies, US foreign policy, and US politics, history, media, and culture. Our areas of expertise include the overlapping fields of:
- American literature and literary cultures
- American media, cinematic, and visual cultures
- Digital cultures
- American legal and social history
- US foreign policy
- US domestic politics and political culture
- Polling and data analysis
- Transnationalism and interdisciplinary studies
To apply for the PhD in American Studies program, prospective students will need to apply to the University of Sydney according to these guidelines. Students completing an Honours degree at the time of application will need to update their application materials with their transcripts after they become available in order to be considered for scholarship funding.
Applicants will automatically be considered for the Commonwealth's Research Training Program (RTP) scholarship and internal University scholarships.
For more information, please contact our postgraduate research coordinator, Dr Aaron Nyerges.
Supervisors
- Dr Aaron Nyerges
Senior Lecturer in American Studies
More about Dr Aaron Nyerges - Professor Brendon O'Connor
Professor of US Politics and US Foreign Relations
Topics for supervision: US politics; US foreign policy; Australian-American alliance relations
Relevant current supervision: US human rights policy; Qatar’s foreign policy
More about Professor Brendon O'Connor - Associate Professor David Smith
Associate Professor in American Politics and Foreign Policy
More about Associate Professor David Smith - Dr Rodney Taveira
Senior Lecturer in American Studies
Topics for supervision: Post-45 American literature and literary culture; American cinema and television; intermedia and adaptation; humour studies; American cultural politics
Relevant current supervision: Satire in the works of Paul Beatty
More about Dr Rodney Taveira
Meet our PhD candidate
USSC lecturers are some of the highest-rated on campus. With expertise spanning US politics, culture and foreign policy, our academic team will help you add a global perspective to your degree.
Our postgraduate programs span foreign policy and security strategy, intelligence and emerging technologies, and the cultural forces that shape public understanding through film and media.
We provide unparalleled opportunities and financial support through a range of prestigious scholarships and student prizes.
