Masters degrees by research and Doctor of Philosophy
In the first instance, all enquiries about Masters and PhD candidature should be directed to the Postgraduate Coordinator of the relevant discipline, at the relevant campus.
Masters and Doctoral candidature is available in most of the Faculty’s disciplines and areas of study. The distinction between PhD and Masters is based on the scope and quality of the research effort. A good way to ascertain this distinction is to look at past theses.
The thesis for a research Masters degree must not normally exceed 40,000 words. The thesis for a PhD must not exceed 100,000 words and is recommended normally not to exceed 75,000 words.
Candidature for the Masters degree is from one to two years full-time, or one to four years part-time. PhD candidature is two-and-a-half years minimum and four years maximum full-time, or three years minimum and eight years maximum part-time.
See the relevant discipline entry for any additional requirements. Masters candidature may be transferred to PhD candidature if the work completed is judged to be of sufficient scope and merit.
Prospective candidates should contact the Postgraduate Coordinator of the relevant school or department before making formal application. Application forms may be obtained from the relevant Postgraduate Coordinator or the school/departmental office.
Students should consult the Handbook for Candidates and Supervisors for Masters degrees by Research and Doctoral Degrees, available from the University’s Research and Graduate Studies Office or online at www.latrobe.edu.au/postgrad. Full administrative details of MA and PhD degrees are found in the University Regulations; a copy of the relevant sections of these may be consulted at the University library or online at www.latrobe.edu.au/legalservices/legislation/regulations.html.
Human research ethics approval
All research projects involving human participants as subjects must have ethics approval. The Faculty’s Human Ethics Committee, a subcommittee of the University’s Human Ethics Committee, considers all requests for approval, some of which may be referred to the University Committee. Guidelines and application forms to obtain approval for such research can be obtained from the Faculty Enquiries Office.
Master of Arts by Research – Melbourne (AMAR)
Entry requirements
Admission to the Master of Arts by Research normally requires either:
- (a) the satisfactory completion of an Honours degree of at least four years’ full-time duration with at least an H2A result in the relevant discipline, or
- (b) the completion of a Masters preliminary course with at least an H2A result in the relevant discipline, or
- (c) a qualification of this University or a recognised tertiary institution which is deemed by the University’s Higher Degrees Committee (HDC) to be equivalent to the qualification specified in (a) above, or
- (d) a pass degree strengthened by additional qualifications or the demonstrated possession of research skills or publications of an especially meritorious nature, approved by the HDC as an acceptable basis for admission to candidature.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) – Melbourne (ADPH)
Entry requirements
Applicants for candidature should:
- (a) have graduated with or qualified for the degree of master with a dissertation demonstrating an ability to undertake research at Doctoral level, or
- (b) have graduated with or qualified for an Honours degree at first-class or upper second class division with a dissertation demonstrating the ability to undertake research at Doctoral level, or
- (c) hold qualifications and/or have demonstrated skills, experience, research, or publications, which in the opinion of the Higher Degrees Committee are considered at least equivalent to, or are a satisfactory substitute for, any of the qualifications described in (a) and (b) above.
A candidate for the degree of Master is eligible to apply for PhD candidature if he or she holds one of the qualifications described above, has completed a substantial proportion of the Masters research (e.g. two thesis chapters), which has been assessed by an independent person as demonstrating the capacity to undertake research at the PhD level, and has been enrolled for the degree of Master for not less than twelve months equivalent full-time. Students wishing to upgrade must apply before eighteen months full-time equivalent of their Masters course has been completed.