Levels of study

Coursework degrees
Degree Duration Content Outcomes
Graduate Certificate Six to twelve months full-time.  Units from existing pass degrees, or a combination of pass-degree and fourth-year units, in a specific discipline. Enables graduates to shift from one discipline to another; facilitates professional development; enhances existing qualifications.
Graduate Diploma One year full-time. Units from existing pass degrees, or a combination of pass-degree and fourth-year units, in a specific discipline. May be used to satisfy entry to Honours (but not necessarily research candidature).
Postgraduate Diploma One year full-time. Units at fourth-year or Honours level in a specific discipline. May enable admission to Master by coursework.
Master One to two years full-time. Coursework units in a specific field and a minor thesis (12-15,000 words). May enable admission to a PhD.
Research degrees
Degree Duration Content
Master One to three years full-time. A thesis of not more than 50,000 words (or in some cases, a project and exegesis), produced under the guidance of a supervisor.
Professional Doctorate Four years full-time. Incorporates a coursework component, but classified as a research degree (of a similar standard to the traditional PhD, but designed to enhance professional practice).
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Four years full-time (or part-time equivalent) A thesis of not more than 100,000 words (or in some cases, a project and exegesis) produced under the guidance of a supervisor.