About Arts Research Degrees
What is a Research Degree?
At Monash, a research degree is a postgraduate degree comprising a 66% or 100% research component. The research is presented and assessed as a thesis.
The aim of a research degree is to produce an original work of scholarship that will contribute substantially to the understanding of the subject matter. Some of the faculty programs allow coursework units to be taken alongside a research thesis. The coursework component is designed to support research. Once accepted into the degree, students are allocated an academic supervisor who will guide the research and ensure appropriate standards are met.
Why do a Research Degree?
People undertake research degrees for a number of reasons. It may be a passion for a particular topic or an intense desire to make a change in the world. For some, research is about satisfying innate curiosity, and a desire to take knowledge to a higher level and explore frontiers.
For those wishing to pursue an academic career, a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is the entry level for an academic position in most Australian universities. Strong growth in the tertiary education sector means demand for academic staff, and many universities are actively recruiting staff both within Australia and internationally.
A research degree is also a career investment in the non-academic context. Specialist knowledge acquired in a research degree provides the edge required to set you apart from peers in your profession. Besides the acquisition of high-level research skills, successful completion of a research degree demonstrates many qualities sought by employers, including problem solving and critical thinking skills, and initiative in the development of innovative ideas.
For every vision, there is a practical side and research demands a substantial investment of time and energy. Studying at a reputable and dynamic university such as Monash can be the point of difference in achieving your goal.