Postgraduate Research Programs

Contact the Department

For advice on your postgraduate research degree we encourage you to contact the Department’s Postgraduate Research Coordinator:
Dr Kristie Miller

Room 411 Brennan MacCallum Bldg
+612 9036 9663

Research students in the Department of Philosophy are required to undertake coursework units of study in addition to their research thesis. Coursework units of study are held in the traditional time commitments of undergraduate study (that is, thirteen weeks of two-hourly course meetings). Research students can do units from the Honours Seminars, or from options offered by research staff. A list of reading courses for 2011 can be found here. Please refer to the Postgraduate Research Coordinator for more information.

Admission to research degrees is incumbent upon a member of staff being both willing and able to supervise the research program. All candidates are subject to an annual review of their progress and continuation of enrolment is subject to satisfactory performance.

Doctor of Philosophy

Candidates are required to have one of the following degrees in Philosophy:

• a Bachelor of Arts degree with First Class Honours
• or an equivalent qualification.

Intending candidates for the Doctor of Philosophy degree must complete a research thesis of 70,000-100,000 words. The period of candidature is 6-8 semesters full time, or 6-16 semesters part time.

In addition, candidates must complete four units of coursework, and complete them at First Class standard.

A language course may be undertaken for one of these units of study if permission is sought from the Postgraduate Research Co-ordinator.

Master of Philosophy

Intending candidates are required to have one of the following degrees in Philosophy:

• a Bachelor of Arts degree with First Class Honours, or Second Class (First Division) Honours
• or an equivalent qualification.

Intending candidates for the Master of Philosophy degree must complete a research thesis of 40,000-60,000 words. The period of candidature for this degree is 2-4 semesters full time or 4-8 semesters part time.

In addition, candidates must also complete two units coursework, at a level of Honours Second Class, First Division standard or above.

Master of Arts (Research)

Intending candidates are required to have one of the following degrees in Philosophy:

• a Bachelor of Arts pass degree at Distinction level
• or an equivalent qualification.

The structure of this degree is flexible. Candidates must complete a suitable combination of research thesis and optional units of coursework.

The period of candidature for this degree is 2-4 semesters full time or 4-8 semesters part time.