Higher Degrees by Research
What is a Research Degree?
At Monash, a research degree is a postgraduate degree comprising 66 per cent or 100 per cent research. 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. Once accepted into the degree, students are allocated academic supervisors who will guide the research and ensure appropriate standards are met.
The School of Humanities, Communications and Social Sciences offers two broad research degrees that are available for study in a variety of disciplinary areas: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), or Master of Arts (either 100 per cent or 66 per cent research).
Why do a Research degree?
People do a research higher degree 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, it’s an opportunity to gain an edge in the workforce through the acquisition of specialist knowledge. For others, research is about satisfying a curiosity or to take knowledge to a higher level. For many, research is the basis of an academic career as a PhD is the entry level qualification in most Australian universities.
Why do a Research Degree in the School of Humanities, Communications and Social Sciences?
The School provides a highly supportive environment in which to pursue a research degree. As a multi-disciplinary school, supervision is available in a wide range of areas including:
- Australian studies
- Australian Indigenous studies
- Cognitive science
- Communications
- History
- Journalism
- Politics
- Psychological studies
- Social and community welfare
- Sociology
- Writing
As a research student in the School you will have access to office space, computer facilities and other resources provided by the university.
For further information on disciplines and areas of supervision expertise, see Postgraduate Studies.
How much does it cost?
All research students who are Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens or permanent residents are exempt from course fees and are enrolled into a fee-free place. This means that enrolling for a research degree will not result in a student debt. International students should refer to International Student Fees.
Scholarships
All research students with an honours H1 degree, or the equivalent, may apply for a range of scholarships including the Australian Postgraduate Award, Monash International Postgraduate Research Scholarship or the Monash Graduate Scholarship.
These scholarships close on October 31 each year for students starting in the following year.
More information: HUMCASS Scholarships.
Entry Requirements
Masters degrees
The entry requirement to a Masters degree is a four year bachelors degree with a first or upper second class honours or equivalent, or a masters qualifying with a research component with an overall grade of H2A or above. Applicants are expected to have achieved a distinction or above in the research component.
PhD
The entry requirement to a PhD is a bachelors degree with a research component in the fourth year leading to first or upper second class honours, or a program leading to a masters preliminary qualification at first or upper second class honours level or a masters degree that entailed work, including a significant research component at least equivalent to a bachelors honours degree.
Note: If you are in the process of completing, or have completed, a Masters by coursework in the Faculty of Arts you may be eligible for automatic H1 or H2A equivalence.
How to Apply
To express an interest in undertaking a research degree please complete an Arts Research Expression of Interest form (rtf, 47kb) and send to Ms Linda.Butler@arts.monash.edu.au.
If an academic member of staff is willing to support your candidature, you will be invited to submit a full application.
Who Should I Contact?
Information concerning research degrees in the school can be accessed via Postgraduate Studies. through the
following website: www.arts.monash.edu/humcass/pgrad.
For further information please contact:
- Dr Vaughan Higgins
- School Graduate Research Coordinator
- School of Humanities, Communications & Social Sciences
- Telephone: +61 3 990 26345 or +61 3 51226345
- Fax: +61 3 3 990 26400 or +61 3 512 26400
- Vaughan.Higgins@arts.monash.edu.au