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Masters by Research (MA)

The Masters by Research (MA) provides you with an opportunity to carry out sustained and independent research. The thesis should demonstrate a critical application of specialist knowledge and skills in a chosen area of study and make an original contribution to the discipline.

You may apply for admission to the PhD after completion of the Masters degree. Alternatively, with the support of the thesis supervisor, associate supervisor and Head of School, you may apply to convert to the PhD degree. Applicants who apply to convert from the MA to the PhD must meet the PhD entry requirements.

The Master of Arts is usually undertaken over 18 months (full time) or three years (part time).

Minimum entry requirements

Completion of a four year Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree with a research component or equivalent in the appropriate area of study or closely related area, with an Honours thesis result at least equivalent to an H2A (75%) and an overall Honours result at least equivalent to an H2B (70%) at the University of Melbourne.

Applicants without the required Honours degree may still be considered with significant fourth year, masters or postgraduate diploma research experience. Research experience must also be relevant to the proposed topic of research.

Course structure

Masters by research programs are available in three forms:

• Thesis only: submission of 30,000 word thesis
• Advanced seminars and shorter thesis: coursework of 10,000-12,000 words and submission of 20,000-22,000 words thesis
• Thesis and creative work: Master of Arts (Creative Writing) only

More information about the Masters program can be found at Masters by Research Policy Guidelines.