Frequently Asked Questions
Below is a list of frequently asked questions for students considering applying for a postgraduate research program at the Parenting and Family Support Centre in the School of Psychology at UQ.
These queries relate to the issues that might arise when applying for the PFSC. For general queries about postgraduate research opportunities, application deadlines at UQ please see the UQ Graduate School.
Why choose the PFSC and UQ
Why should I study at The University of Queensland?
The University of Queensland is consistently ranked among the top 1% of universities in the world. For more information on UQ’s excellent global standing:
Where can I get more information about studying at UQ in general?
More information can be found on UQ in general here:
Why should I study at the Parenting and Family Support Centre in the School of Psychology (PFSC)?
There are two key reasons the PFSC makes an ideal place to complete a research higher degree. Firstly, the Parenting and Family Support Centre (PFSC) is a leading research hub of parenting and child behaviour research internationally and is the home of the Triple P— Positive Parenting Program. The centre is where the majority of new variants of Triple P are developed and where most foundation trials are conducted. If you are interested in parenting and family research this is an ideal place in which to start your academic career.
Secondly, the PFSC has a number of students and researchers working in a similar field of research creating an environment of mutual learning and collaboration that provides students with much more support than a single supervisor can provide.There are regular seminars, workshops and meetings as well as social events and many opportunities for informal discussions and advice. The PFSC is also part of a network of parenting and family researchers in Australia and internationally providing opportunities to engage in collaborations and networking.
What is Triple P?
Triple P is a multi-level system of parenting interventions aimed at preventing and treating child social, emotional and behaviour problems at a population level. Triple P is the most evaluated parenting program in the world. It is also the most widely disseminated and is now implemented in 30 different countries around the world. The following paper provides an excellent summary of the theory and application of the Triple P system. It is recommended that any student considering applying for a research position at the PFSC read this paper prior to applying.
So much research has already been done on Triple P. What can I add?
Triple P is a constantly evolving, dynamic system of interventions that is informed by ongoing research. Although a significant amount of research has been conducted there is still much to do. Students may also conduct research in related fields such as parental engagement, implementation science, cultural acceptability, and mechanisms of change.
Who are the supervisors in the PFSC?
There are a number of active researchers in the Centre who supervise research students. The decision about which academic staff member should be your primary supervisor is made by you and the relevant supervisors, and takes into account the relevant expertise of the different supervisors in relation to the proposed research topic as well as that supervisor's current student load.
What kind of skills will I develop while completing a Masters or PhD at the PFSC?
Students can receive advanced training in the following areas:
- Designing and implementing evidence-based parenting interventions.
- Examining the use of a range of methodologies to assess parenting and family factors, and intervention outcomes.
- Designing and conducting studies that rigorously test the efficacy of interventions including use of randomized controlled trials and where appropriate intra-subject replication designs.
- Experience in working with a research team specializing in evidence based intervention.
- Writing competitive grant submissions to support parenting research.
- Experience in conducting research on the dissemination of evidence based parenting programs.
- Communicating research findings to professions via manuscript preparation and conference presentations.
- Advanced data analysis.
How will this help my career long term?
Completion of a PhD demonstrates your ability to think independently, and design and conduct a large-scale research. It is the highest academic qualification obtainable and is valued in industry and practice. For example, a PhD is required for most academic and senior research positions. A PhD in the area of public health parenting interventions such as Triple P may also be beneficial for those interested in pursuing positions in policy or advocacy. Completing a PhD at the PFSC also provides access to many of the research leaders in the parenting field around the world offering students contacts for future career options in different countries.
Funding for postgraduate study at the PFSC
What scholarships opportunities are available?
A range of scholarships for both domestic and international students are available through UQ, however these are highly competitive. Depending on your country of origin you may also be able to receive a scholarship from your home country in order to conduct research in Australia. Scholarship information can be found here:
What about other sources of funding?
You can work while receiving a scholarship but many scholarships place a limit on how many hours of work during the working week you can work while receiving a scholarship. This is to ensure you have sufficient time to concentrate on your research work. At the University of Queensland priority is given to RHD students when allocating tutorial positions within the School of Psychology.
Students in the PFSC are encouraged to apply for research grants to support their research.
Recognition of postgraduate degrees from the PFSC
Will my previous undergraduate degree be recognized in Australia?
Provided your previous degree was from an accredited university or college it should be recognized here however you can check this with the Australian Qualifications Framework:
And will my Australian PhD be recognized in my home country?
In most cases a PhD from The University of Queensland will be recognized internationally however we recommend you check with your own country. Australia has an Australian Qualifications Framework, which makes it easier for your degree to be recognized internationally.
For more information see:
How to apply for a research higher degree at the PFSC
What background education or experience do I need to apply?
Applicants who have a strong bachelors degree with honours in psychology will be considered for the research program at the PFSC. Applicants should ideally have a sound understanding of behavioural or cognitive behavioural principles, child or adolescent development and have specific interests in field of parenting, and family relationships. Some relevant experience with children and families would be an advantage but it not required. We are looking for students who are passionate about research that has real world application and can help families around the world.
How competitive is the application process?
The University of Queensland is world class university and as such applications are only accepted from qualified and suitable candidates. Research higher degree students can apply at any stage during the year so you do not necessarily compete against other applicants and each application is assessed on its own merit.
Do I need to complete a GRE (Graduate Record Examination) in order to apply?
No, you do not need a GRE in order to study at UQ. Your previous degree, previous grades and application are considered sufficient to demonstrate your academic potential.
Do I need to be fluent in English in order to study at UQ?
Yes. English is the official language of Australia and the University of Queensland. Your final thesis must therefore be submitted in English and your research supervision will be conducted in English. The university requires proof of English proficiency prior to accepting candidates from non-english speaking countries.
When is the deadline for application?
There is no deadline. Applications are accepted throughout the year and students who have been accepted can start their degree at any stage.
How many students are accepted?
Student applications are accepted throughout the year so although the application process is competitive you are not actively competing against other students for a position. There is no set limit on the number of students who can be accepted (provided there are supervisors available) however only outstanding applicants are accepted.
How many PhD students are working in the Parenting and Family Support Centre?
The PFSC is a thriving research centre. At present there at 14 research PhD students enrolled. There are also a number of research students at other universities who collaborate with researchers at the PFSC. There are also a number of academic staff members and postdoctoral researchers working in the centre.
How do I apply?
In order to complete a RHD you need to apply to UQ and be accepted as a student and have an academic at the PFSC agree to supervise you. The process requires you to complete an Expression of Interest form and then a formal application. These include details on a brief research proposal. Details on the UQ application process can be found here:
For information on areas of study, advisors and school-specific application requirements, please contact the school directly.
Research Proposals for the PFSC
The application process requires you write a brief research proposal. This is designed to ensure a good fit between your research interests and those of your potential supervisor. Research proposals that would be a good fit with the PFSC goals will demonstrate connections to current and/or prior research conducted at the PFSC.
Successful research proposals may include, but are not limited to, topics like: the evaluating the efficacy or effectiveness of a Triple P intervention (perhaps with a new program, population, or in a new country), examining the cultural acceptability of parenting practices in different countries, issues relating to the parenting of teenagers, or proposal related to the dissemination of programs at a population level.
Proposals that are unlikely to be successful at obtaining supervision within the PFSC are projects unrelated to parenting or Triple P for example binge drinking in teenagers, working with general clinical disorders, evaluation of other parenting programs (unless compared with Triple P) and general psychology topics that are unrelated to parenting or child behaviour.
Can you give me an example of potential proposal topics for research at the PFSC ?
Successful research proposals may include, but are not limited to, topics like: the evaluating the efficacy or effectiveness of a Triple P Intervention (perhaps with a new program, population, or in a new country), examining the cultural acceptability of parenting practices in different countries, issues relating to the parenting of teenagers, or proposal related to the dissemination of programs at a population level.
Proposals that are unlikely to be successful at obtaining supervision within the PFSC are projects unrelated to parenting or Triple P for example binge drinking in teenagers, working with general clinical disorders, evaluation of other parenting programs (unless compared with Triple P) and general psychology topics that are unrelated to parenting or child behavior.
Can I change my research topic once I am enrolled?
Yes, provided your new research project still fits within your supervisor’s area of expertise. It is common for students to further refine their field of interest and the study design following their review of the literature.
Will I get to design my own research study?
Yes, PhD students are expected to contribute to every stage of the research project including designing the original study. In cases where a PhD student becomes involved in an existing project or a project covered by a current grant the student is expected to design some additional research questions.
Practical issues about studying at the PFSC
Will I be given an office and a desk where I can work?
Yes, all full time PhD students at the university are given a shared office with their own desk and computer, as well as access to a telephone. Students also have access to group/seminar rooms including rooms equipped with remotely controlled video as necessary.
What hours do I have to be in the office to work on my PhD?
PhD students are expected to work on their research full time but are not required to keep set hours. Students can choose the hours and the days that suit them and fit these around any other employment and family commitments.
How long does it take to complete a PhD at UQ?
The scheduled time to complete a PhD at UQ is 3 years full-time. There are a number of university milestones that must be met during the candidature process designed to keep students on track.
Will I be trained in all levels of the Triple P System of intervention as a part of my PhD?
Triple P is a system of intervention not a single program. As there are 20 different training programs students do not receive training in every variant of Triple P. Students will receive training in programs that are relevant to their PhD (for example a student conducting a research trial on Group Stepping Stones Triple P would receive training in that variant). However if free spaces are available in any training programs students are often invited to attend. In additional many of our PhD students go on to become Triple P practitioners and trainers in addition to their research activities.
Will I receive additional clinical psychology training as a part of my PhD?
No, research PhD students do not receive any specialized clinical psychology training. If you are interested in enrolling into one of the clinical psychology training programs, please check UQ Clinical Psychology.
Visa questions for overseas students wishing to study at the PFSC
Do I need a visa to study in Australia?
Yes, if you are an overseas student you will need a student visa in order to enroll in a PhD at The University of Queensland. In most cases this will also cover you to work while you are studying.
Information on student visas (including if they will cover other members of your family) can be found on the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) website:
In order to apply for a student visa you must have received an offer of enrollment to demonstrate you have been accepted to study at The University of Queensland. Once you have received this you will need to apply for a student visa with the subclass Postgraduate Research (Subclass 574).
Can I work while on a student visa?
Yes, depending on your visa you should be able to work while on a student visa. PhD students typically work in either research assistant positions or in tutoring/lecturing roles that are beneficial for a well-rounded CV. The university has a regulation that PhD students are not permitted to engage in paid work for more than 18 hours of the normal working week. This is to ensure they have adequate time to concentrate on their PhD. The conditions of some scholarships also include limits on the amount of hours students can work. In order to work in Australia you will require and Australian Tax File number however this can be easily obtained while on a student visa.
Postgraduate research opportunities
The Parenting and Family Support Centre (PFSC) within the School of Psychology at The University of Queensland offers opportunities for students seeking postgraduate training in child adjustment, parenting and family relationships, and family intervention programs. A range of projects are conducted at the PFSC including examining parenting and family influences on child development and wellbeing, use of methodological tools, and the development, piloting and conducting of clinical trials of interventions based on the Triple P ̶ Positive Parenting Program, a unique multi-level system of parenting intervention.
Students undertaking research at the PFSC work as part of a research team, and have the opportunity to collaborate with multidisciplinary professionals. Research projects can be undertaken as part of a Masters, PhD or professional psychology degree program (Master or Doctorate in Clinical Psychology).
Eligibility
Applicants who have a strong bachelor’s degree with honours in psychology will be considered for the research program at the PFSC. Applicants should have a sound understanding of behavioural or cognitive behavioural principles, child or adolescent development, and have specific interest in the field of parenting and family relationships. Some relevant experience with children and families would be an advantage. Applications will only be considered for students interested in working in the area of parenting and family psychology. Please read all of the FAQs before submitting an expression of interest.
Expressions of Interest
If you are interested in finding a supervisor from the Parenting and Family Support Centre, you must first submit a formal Expression of Interest, along with the following information (each as separate word or pdf documents) –
- An up-to-date CV
- Your academic transcript (a draft or unofficial copy will be sufficient)
- A brief summary of your honours and/or masters dissertation project, including your supervisor’s name and the grade you received
- A covering letter briefly describing (1 page):
- Your background (professionally or academically as relevant);
- Your motivation for doing a PhD at the Parenting and Family Support Centre, The University of Queensland;
- Your research interest and the advisor/s in the Centre you would like to work with.
- A research proposal (1 pages max)
- The proposal must outline the specific parenting and/or Triple P-Positive Parenting Program topic or topics that you are interested in researching and why you believe your proposed project is worthwhile. Please include a working title of your project. Please ensure this project aligns with one of the current project areas we are supporting and have outlined on our website.
- The proposal should also include –
- An indication of when you would be available to start
- an indication of which advisor/s you would be interested in working with
- how you plan to fund your studies
These can be submitted by email to pfsc@psy.uq.edu.au.
Upon receiving this information we will consider you application and then notify you of the next steps. Please note that this process is to determine whether an academic within the Parenting and Family Support Centre is able to supervise you. This is not a formal application submission. If you are successful in this process you will then still need to go through the formal online application process.
We encourage you to visit the University’s Graduate School student site where there is a considerable amount of information available relating to how you can apply to study at UQ, as well as the various scholarship options available.
If you have read the Frequently Asked Questions and would like more information, in the first instance please contact the Centre Coordinator by email:
- Phone: Extn 67553 (+617 3346 7553)
- Email: pfsc@psy.uq.edu.au
Completed PFSC PhD theses
See a list of completed PhD research projects conducted at the PFSC.