Internationally, the award of a PhD from The University of Auckland is seen as recognition of real distinction in a specific area of study. The PhD thesis is a formal and sustained exposition of a piece of advanced research work generally carried out over a period of three years. As a PhD student, you will have the opportunity to make an original contribution to knowledge in a specific field, and are required to meet internationally recognised standards for such work. A PhD is normally the foundation for an academic career. In addition, the introduction of creative practice within the PhD gives you the opportunity to incorporate creative work such as fine art, design, performance or film into your research. A creative practice PhD differs from a standard PhD in that it allows new cultural and artistic knowledge to be embodied or expressed through media other than text, along with a rigorous scholarly analysis of the significance of this knowledge in a 60,000 word thesis.

A career in academia is professionally rewarding and fulfilling, balancing personal development with the opportunity to contribute to society through teaching and research. Academics regularly encounter opportunities to work with, and be inspired by, leaders in their field and in turn inspire and impart knowledge to others worldwide. A career in higher education is worldly and transportable with academic staff regularly travelling overseas as visiting lecturers or to attend conferences. Many creative practitioners have chosen to enter into a career in academia, as a researcher, curator or lecturer, to complement their creative practice. A university career offers sustainable, paid employment in a pleasant and supportive work environment, with opportunities to take time to pursue individual practice and research.