Information on Executive Master of Arts frequently asked questions can be found at this link

Fees	Flexible delivery	Timetables
Student support	Study options	Internships
Scholarships	Entry requirements and applying	Executive Master of Arts: FAQs

Fees

I really want to study the course but I cannot pay for a full fee place. What are my options?

Graduate study offers you an opportunity to enhance your professional qualifications and increase your earning potential. You should consider your tuition fees as an investment in your future and a pathway to lifelong increased salary. There are a number of ways you can alleviate the pressure of course fees.

One option is to defer your fees via FEE-HELP in the same way you can defer undergraduate fees via HECS. If you are eligible, you can defer all or part of your tuition fees via a government loan, which you repay when your income reaches the minimum repayment threshold. You can also nominate to make voluntary repayments at any time. Further information about FEE-HELP is available on the Australian Government's Study Assist website.

Another option is to claim a tax deduction via self-education expenses for your graduate study, provided your course has a sufficient connection to your current employment. For further information, please consult your accountant or the Australian Taxation Office.

The Executive Master of Arts, Master of International Relations, and the Master of Cultural Materials Conservation have been approved by Centrelink for Austudy/Youth Allowance purposes. Please visit the Student Financial Aid website, or contact Centrelink for further information.

There are a range of other flexible payment options such as semester payments, annual payments or two payments per semester.

Learn more about payment options and tuitions fees.

Flexible delivery

I want to study the course, but I work full time. How can I fit it in?

You can study part time and most Masters courses have evening classes, weekend classes and/or intensive subjects. You can check the contact hours of your chosen subjects via the University's Online Handbook. See further details in the Timetables section below.

Timetables

I want to look at a timetable. Where can I find one?

You can use the Student Information System if you know your subject codes. Please remember to key in subject codes without a dash.

Alternatively, you can go to the Online Handbook and look at the entry for your Masters program. By clicking on a subject in the list displayed for your course, you will be linked through to details of that subject, including required contact hours and a timetable.

Student support

I haven't studied for many years. What support services are available?

The Graduate School offers a Study Skills seminar series that is designed to equip you with strategies and practices for academic success. The seminars cover topics such as:

• Getting organised;
• Navigating information;
• Reading, critical thinking and note-making;
• Effective communication;
• Approaching writing tasks;
• Incorporating and acknowledging sources.

The University also offers a range of support services including a Graduate orientation program, Academic Skills Unit and a counselling service.

The Graduate Student Centre in the Old Arts building is open from 8.45am every weekday and professional staff are available to help you with program planning and advice.

Study options

Do I have to take the thesis over two semesters and how many points is it worth?

Yes, the thesis must be taken over 2 consecutive semesters and is usually worth 37.5 points. The exceptions are the Master of Creative Writing thesis which is 50 points, and the Master of Applied Linguistics thesis which is 25 points and is completed in one semester.

Is it possible to take leave during the thesis?

The thesis must be taken over two consecutive semesters; it is not possible to interrupt the thesis once you have commenced it.

Is the thesis compulsory?

In most of our Masters by Coursework programs the thesis is an optional subject. The exceptions are the Master of Arts in Professional and Applied Ethics and the Master of Creative Writing, Publishing, programs where a thesis is a mandatory part of the program.

Do I have to enrol in level 4 electives before I enrol in any of the level 5 electives?

Unless otherwise specified in the program description and requirements, you are free to enrol in Level 5 subjects before completing Level 4 subjects. However, students in the 200-point program are usually advised to complete Level 4 electives before commencing the Level 5 subjects.

If you are unsure about this, please consult with the course coordinator.

Can I defer my place in a graduate course?

It is not possible to defer Commonwealth Supported Places in programs offered by the Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences.

In full-fee paying places, it is possible to defer the commencement date of your course by one or two semesters. Instructions on how to do this are given at the time of offer.

Deferment is sometimes confused with leave of absence. Leave of Absence is when you take time off from study when you have already completed some subjects in the program. Deferment is when you delay commencing your program.

Can I specify on the application form that I wish to study either a 100-, 150- or 200-point program?

The application form does not provide you with the option of applying for a specific 100-, 150- or 200-point program. The 200- point program may be reduced with credit for relevant professional work experience, the completion of an Honours degree, or previous postgraduate studies.
If you are interested in being considered for a shorter program, you will need to send in complete academic transcripts, a detailed CV and a covering letter with your application so that the selection committee can make an informed assessment of your application and offer you the correct program.

What is a part-time/full-time study load?

Up to 25 points per semester is a part-time load; 37.5 points and above is a full-time load.

Can I change from part-time to full-time and vice-versa?

Yes. It is simply a matter of enrolling in subjects according to the loading described above.

Can I enrol in a subject from another Master's course or even from another Faculty?

With permission from your course coordinator and the coordinator of the other subject, it is sometimes possible to enrol in a subject that is not listed in the course description of your program. However, you would need to show that this subject was relevant to your studies and particular interests. You would not normally request permission to enrol in more than one subject from another program or faculty.

Can I enrol in subjects from another university and have it counted towards my degree?

This is possible, but you would need the approval of the course coordinator. Please visit the Cross-Institutional Study: Incoming and Outgoing web page for further information.

Can I study overseas as part of my graduate coursework degree?

Graduate, Postgraduate Diploma and Masters by Coursework students are usually eligible to participate in the Melbourne Global Mobility program, but should confirm their eligibility with the course coordinator. If there are no program restrictions, the same eligibility requirements as undergraduate students apply, with the following exception: postgraduate coursework students must have completed at least one semester and 50 points, in the University of Melbourne program for which they are seeking credit for the study undertaken overseas, by the due date of applications.

I am studying my program at another university and wish to complete Masters subjects at your graduate school. Is this possible?

Yes, this is possible, but you would need to get approval from your home university, and meet the entry requirements for the Masters program in the Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Please visit the Cross-Institutional Study: Incoming and Outgoing web page for further information.

Can I exit from my Masters course with a lesser qualification?

Some Master's programs have exit awards, and providing that you have met the requirements of that exit award (i.e. completed the same subjects, you will be able to exit with that award) usually a Graduate Certificate or Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma.

How much private study is required?

The amount of private study required varies and can depend on a number of factors, including an individual student's learning style, the demands of the subject/s, and personal circumstances. However, as an estimate of total time commitment, students studying a graduate program in the Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences should plan on spending up to eight hours per week for each subject.

How are classes delivered?

The Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences is at the forefront of graduate teaching and provides enhanced teaching and support facilities. Classes are delivered in a variety of formats, depending on the subject taken and the course content. Most programs involve seminar-style sessions where students take part in group discussions, and learn from academics and guest lecturers from industry. Some subjects may involve fieldwork, excursions, group work, internships and other practical learning activities.

Do pathways exist to further studies after I finish the program?

Yes. Students wishing to continue studying after completion of a Masters degree may wish to apply for a graduate research program. Students wishing to pursue this path should consult with a course advisor to ensure they complete a thesis in order to be eligible to apply for a research program.

How can I assess what programs/subjects are most relevant to the workforce?

Each program is made up of core (compulsory) units and elective units. Some programs offer streams to students interested in particular areas, such as the Gender and Development stream within the Master of Development Studies. Some employers look for students who have studied specific disciplines, while others are interested in high quality students from any discipline. It is important to choose subjects that interest you and that you will do well in. Speaking with current students, alumni and industry practitioners, as well as academics is a great way to find out more about which subjects are most relevant to the career path you are pursuing.

I want to study an area that does not offer a Masters by Coursework program (i.e. History, Philosophy), but I don't want to do a research degree. What are my options?

• You could complete a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma.
• If you have previously studied the discipline area, you could complete a Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma.
• You could study specific subjects of interest through the Community Access Program.
  
  

Can I study EMA or MIR subjects as part of the Community Access Program (CAP)?

CAP students cannot enrol in EMA or MIR compulsory subjects, but they may be permitted to undertake optional subjects from these programs with the support of the relevant subject coordinator.

Internships

What does the internship involve?

Many of our graduate programs include a compulsory or elective internship where a student undertakes an assigned piece of work in conjunction with supervised practical training/an internship with an organisation, for which academic credit is granted. Many students find that the internship is a highly valued part of their studies as it allows them to apply their skills and knowledge within a work environment.

Course coordinators work with students and host organisations to ensure internships are relevant, challenging, and that the student has access to a supervisor for feedback and development throughout the placement. Internships allow students to establish industry links and network with potential employers; some of our graduate students have been offered employment by their host organisation.

Internships vary depending on the program being studied, the needs of the host organisation, and the motivations and interests of the student. Students are encouraged to think strategically about their internship placement and to arrange an internship with an organisation that will allow them to apply their skills in an area in which they will pursue a career. Professional and academic staff maintain close links with a range of internship host organisations; students are therefore provided with support in arranging internships.

See the video about internships on the GSHSS YouTube channel.

How long is the internship?

The length of the internship depends on the program, but it usually consists of time spent with an organisation and time spent with the course coordinator or supervisor undertaking preparation and analysis. Students can choose to undertake their internship over several weeks or months (working with the host organisation for a few days a week during this time) or intensively during a semester break.

Can I choose my own internship host organisation?

Students are encouraged to seek out their own internship placement. The Graduate School can provide assistance, including details of organisations who have hosted interns in previous years.

How is the internship assessed?

Students may be required to submit written reports and make presentations at the conclusion of their internship.

Do students receive payment for their internship?

Students do not receive payment for their internship placement. Insurance is provided by The University of Melbourne for internships conducted in Australia.

Can students do an internship overseas?

Overseas internships are possible and are usually taken during semester breaks.

Scholarships

What scholarships are available?

• The Melbourne Scholarships Office

  For a listing of available graduate scholarships, and where to find other sources of funding for coursework programs, please visit the Melbourne Scholarships Office website.

• Faculty of Arts Scholarships

  For a listing of scholarships available to current students of the Graduate School, please visit the Faculty of Arts Scholarships web page.
  

• Study in Australia Scholarships

• Joint Academic Scholarships Online Network (JASON) - a national database listing postgraduate scholarships offered by a range of organisations, including universities, charitable foundations, and state, federal and overseas governments.
  
  

Entry requirements and applying

I have qualifications in a non-related area, and I want to get into a new area and do a PhD. What is the process?

To apply for a PhD program, you must have completed a four-year Honours degree with a thesis, or equivalent, with a result of at least 75%. For those with non-related qualifications, wishing to enrol in a PhD, the thesis is still the basic requirement. The thesis can be written as part of an Honours degree, or a Postgraduate Diploma, a Masters by Research, or as an option within a Masters by Coursework degree.

Can I go from Honours straight into a PhD? What is the process?

Yes, you can proceed directly from an Honours degree to a PhD, as long as the proposed PhD thesis is related to the Honours thesis and the result of the thesis is at least 75%.

I have a degree in a non-cognate discipline, how can I get into a Masters by Coursework program?

We would recommend and advise you to complete a Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate to develop skills and knowledge in the specified area.

What if I can't provide any academic references in my application (I lost touch or it was too long ago)?

Academic references are not always essential, but full transcripts are.

It has been a long time since I last studied at university. Do you have a cut off date where a previous degree is no longer counted?

Depending on the course, the ten year rule sometimes applies. If the selection panel was concerned that an applicant had not studied in the previous ten years, they could request that the student complete a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma, or two subjects through the Community Access Program to develop skills and knowledge in the particular field.

I will complete my current studies this year, therefore, I don't have my academic transcripts and final results yet. Can I apply without these?

If you are currently completing a degree and are awaiting your final results, you can submit your application with a copy of the results you have achieved to date. Your application will be assessed on the basis of these results and other relevant information. Where it is deemed that you are on track to achieving the minimum entry requirements for the program you may receive a conditional offer pending your final results or other requirements. On receipt of your final results, a final offer will be made.