Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
Sunway College Johor Bahru · Johor Bahru, Malaysia
QS World University Ranking: N/A
Quick Overview
Apply Now📘 Program Overview
The Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing by Research is a doctoral programme designed to develop nurses as independent researchers and scholarly leaders in healthcare.
The programme is built around rigorous, ethical research with close supervision, including required research methodology, academic writing, and research proposal modules, followed by thesis study supported by milestones such as a proposal defence and viva voce.
🎯 Course & Curriculum
Course structure
- Complete the Research Methodology module to build a research-ready methodological foundation.
- Complete the Academic Writing module to develop scholarly communication skills.
- Complete the Research Proposal module to prepare and refine the proposal for your PhD research.
- Conduct supervised, original research grounded in appropriate theoretical and methodological frameworks.
- Apply qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-methods approaches according to the research question and scope.
- Work toward required academic milestones supporting thesis progress, including proposal defense and viva voce.
- Complete the PhD thesis as an in-depth study on a specific nursing research topic.
- Prepare for and complete the thesis milestones such as proposal defense and viva voce.
- Engage in academic dissemination through publication in peer-reviewed journals and presentation at scholarly conferences.
Curriculum
| Semester | No. of modules | Module / subject category | credit hours | Semester total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Research Methodology | |||
| Semester 2 | Academic Writing | |||
| Semester 3 | Research Proposal | |||
| Total | 0 credit hours | |||
Career outcomes
- You develop the advanced research skills needed to become a Nurse Lecturer or academic nursing researcher in universities and training institutions.
- You build capabilities for leadership pathways such as Director of Nursing Services and Healthcare Leader, grounded in evidence-based research and scholarly communication.
- You prepare for senior roles in healthcare organisations as a Healthcare Administrator by focusing on research that can inform policy and healthcare systems.
- You strengthen your profile for consultancy and specialist influence as a Consultant in Nursing through supervised, original research on complex nursing and health issues.
- You gain strong competencies in critical inquiry, research design, data analysis, and academic dissemination, helping you communicate findings to both academia and healthcare stakeholders.
- You position yourself for innovation and improved health outcomes by producing original knowledge that advances nursing practice, education, and policy.
Employability rate
For nursing graduates, employability in Malaysia commonly remains strong because healthcare facilities regularly need qualified professionals across public and private sectors.
Overall, this PhD pathway supports a stable career outlook by preparing you for research, education, and leadership roles aligned with long-term demand in nursing and healthcare.
✅ Entry Requirements
Academic qualification
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree (foreign qualifications equivalent accepted) | International applicants must meet one of the programme entry routes, including a Master’s Degree in Nursing (Level 7 MQF) or related fields with a minimum CGPA of 2.75 (or equivalent as accepted by the HEP Senate), or a Master’s degree with lower CGPA subject to internal assessment, or a Master’s degree accepted by the HEP Senate, or other qualifications equivalent to a Master’s degree (Level 7 MQF) recognised by the Government of Malaysia. |
| Bachelor’s degree (internationally educated applicants route) | A Bachelor’s degree in Nursing or related fields may be accepted only with first-class (CGPA 3.67 or higher) or its equivalent, subject to internal assessment and any other requirements of the HEP. |
Language requirements
International applicants must meet the programme English competency requirement stated by Sunway University.
MOI (Medium of Instruction)
MOI waiver details are not published for this programme. See the English test requirements above.
Other accepted proofs
💶 Fees & Funding
Proof of financial resources
International students should plan for tuition and living costs in Malaysia and be ready to provide financial evidence if requested during the student-pass or visa process.
- Proof of ability to fund tuition and living costs, if requested by admissions or student pass processing authorities
- Any published university fees that apply to the programme and enrolment
Important dates
Application window
| Milestone | Rolling intake |
|---|---|
| Application portal opens | January 30, 2026 |
| Application deadline (final submit) | May 01, 2026 |
| Application deadline (EU students) | N/A |
| Application deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A |
| Recommended apply-by | N/A |
| Semester begins | September 01, 2026 |
Pre-application & reviews
| Milestone | Rolling intake |
|---|---|
| VPD request - recommended | N/A |
| VPD result expected | N/A |
| APS - recommended | N/A |
| Start eligibility check | N/A |
Document submission deadlines
| Milestone | Rolling intake |
|---|---|
| Application submission deadline | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (EU students) | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A |
| Language certificate deadline | N/A |
| Official transcripts deadline | N/A |
| Certified translations deadline | N/A |
| Postal / hard-copy documents deadline | N/A |
| Missing documents (if requested) | N/A |
📝 How to Apply
Prepare your eligibility evidence
Review the Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing entry requirements and confirm your foreign Master’s or eligible Bachelor’s qualification meets the stated CGPA and acceptance conditions for international applicants. Gather your academic transcripts and degree certificates in the format requested by Sunway’s postgraduate application process. If you are unsure whether your qualification is equivalent at Level 7 MQF, complete the eligibility assessment before submitting.
Submit your application during the rolling intake window
Complete the postgraduate application through Sunway University’s official application process and choose the Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing programme. Upload the required supporting documents, ensuring your academic records and any language proof are attached. Submit before the application deadline shown for the intake you select and keep a copy of your submission confirmation.
Complete language competency and any internal assessment steps
Submit the required English competency evidence for international applicants as stated by the programme. Your application may also be subject to internal assessment when you apply with CGPA bands below the higher minimum (as described in the entry requirements). Respond to any follow-up requests from the programme team for additional documents or clarification.
Finalise admission and visa/student pass preparation
After you receive an offer and admission instructions, proceed with the next enrolment steps as directed by Sunway University. Follow the student-pass process requirements and prepare the financial and document evidence typically needed for immigration processing. Keep track of deadlines and ensure your documents remain valid for travel and registration.