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Master of Cultural Studies

The information on this page applies to future students. Current students should refer to their faculty handbooks for course information.

The Cultural Studies program allows you to engage critically with the changing meanings of culture in our everyday world. You will learn how to analyse cultural forms while debating their significance in relation to socio-historical contexts.

In covering topics such as popular culture, media, gender, sexuality, globalisation and consumer culture, the program raises questions around identity, community, representation, power, values and the practice of everyday life.

Understanding cultural processes is key in many fields of work, from government and community sectors through to the arts, education and communication industries. One of the study options is an internship that enables students to undertake a research project with a relevant organisation upon departmental approval.

As well as the core and elective units run by the Department of Gender and Cultural Studies, a range of electives from other departments in the faculty are offered. A dissertation option is available for those seeking to undertake research into culture. The program does not presume pre-existing knowledge of cultural studies.

However for those with a background in the field it presents an opportunity to deepen and extend this knowledge.

Units of study

For an up-to-date list of units of study for this degree, please refer to the online postgraduate handbook.

Full units of study list

Embedded courses

Further course information

Study plan

The MCS requires the satisfactory completion of 8 units of study (48 credit points) (cp), including 2 core units of study (12cp), GCST6903 Debates in Cultural Studies and GCST5909 Key Thinkers for Cultural Studies, plus at least 3 units of study (18cp) from a designated selection of core electives. Candidates should consult the academic coordinator for advice about structuring an appropriate pathway of study. Candidates must also consult the academic coordinator prior to enrolling for (i) an internship placement (6cp) and associated project (6cp) and/or (ii) a dissertation (12cp). Intending dissertation candidates prepare a research proposal and discuss their topic with the academic coordinator. Approval is subject to the department's discretion and the availability of an appropriate academic supervisor. The dissertation is normally undertaken over two semesters and comprises research and writing toward a project of approximately 15,000 words.

Progression rules

Under normal progression, a full-time student shall undertake and successfully complete all units of study to the value of 24 credit points per semester as prescribed for the course. Entry into the internship and dissertation units will require departmental permission first. Students are required to attend all lectures, tutorials and other activities prescribed for their units of study.

Capstone experience

Candidates undertaking a Master of Cultural Studies degree may apply to undertake cultural studies internship placement upon department approval of a viable project. The placement may involve work on a specific project or a general role in a workplace that undertakes cultural work, broadly defined from multiculturalism to media, gender to NGOs and the cultural sector. Students are welcome to suggest their own internship field or host organisation, which can also, where relevant, be one where the candidate already works.

Upon department approval of a viable project, eligible candidates undertaking the degree of Master of Cultural Studies have the option of completing a dissertation over two units of study, normally undertaken over two semesters, with a value of 12 credit points, under the supervision of an academic staff member.

Course outcomes and further study

Graduate opportunities

Understanding cultural processes is key in many fields of work, from government and community sectors through to the arts, education and communication industries. One of the study options is an internship that enables students to undertake a research project with a relevant organisation upon departmental approval.

Students who complete the dissertation component at Distinction level or above will be eligible to apply for a research degree.

Further study

Graduates of the Master of Cultural Studies who have completed a dissertation with a meritorious grade are eligible to pursue a higher degree by research in their chosen subject area.

How to apply

Domestic students

How to apply

Australian citizens, permanent residents, New Zealand citizens, and holders of a permanent humanitarian visa, must apply through UAC.

http://www.uac.edu.au/

Please note: not all courses are offered in the July semester intake.

Admission requirements

Admission to candidature for the Master of Cultural Studies requires:

(a) a bachelor’s degree with a minimum credit (65%) average calculated over the whole degree, from the University of Sydney, including a major in a relevant subject area in the humanities or social sciences, or an equivalent qualification; or

(b) completion of the requirements for the embedded Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in Cultural Studies with a minimum credit (65%) average, or an equivalent qualification.

International students

How to apply

Overseas applicants may apply:
(i) directly to the University via the International Office. Further information on applications and English language requirements and support services for international students is available on the International Office website.

or (ii) through a University overseas representative (education agent).

Admission requirements

Admission to candidature for the Master of Cultural Studies requires:

(a) a bachelor’s degree with a minimum credit (65%) average calculated over the whole degree, from the University of Sydney, including a major in a relevant subject area in the humanities or social sciences, or an equivalent qualification; or

(b) completion of the requirements for the embedded Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in Cultural Studies with a minimum credit (65%) average, or an equivalent qualification.

Fee disclaimer

Domestic students

*(1)Indicative Postgraduate Student Contribution Amount

This student contribution amount for a Commonwealth Supported Place is an indication only of the fees that are payable by you in the calendar year you commence your course, commencing in 2012 for a standard annual full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). The exact student contribution that you pay will depend on the specific units of study in which you ultimately enrol. If you are a Commonwealth supported student and was enrolled in a University course before 1 January 2011 your student contribution may differ.

Annual review

Importantly, student contribution amounts are subject to annual review by the University, and are likely to increase each year of your period of study (subject to a Commonwealth specified cap), effective at the start of each calendar year.

For further information about how to calculate your specific total student contribution please refer to the University's Future Student's online webpages at http://sydney.edu.au/future_students/domestic_undergraduate/costs/calculating_costs.shtml

*(2)Postgraduate Domestic Tuition Fee

This 2012 tuition fee for a domestic postgraduate student represents the fee that is payable by you in the calendar year you commence your course, commencing in 2012 for a standard annual full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). If your study load is more or less than the 1.0 EFSTL your fee will differ.

Annual review

Importantly, tuition fees are subject to annual review by the University, and are likely to increase each year of your period of study, effective at the start of each calendar year.

Additional incidental fees

For some courses there are incidental fees additional to the student contribution and/or course fee. Some of those fees are significant, for example, faculty-specific materials, tools, protected clothing and equipment. For further information about these additional incidental fees, please visit the University's Future Student's online webpage at http://sydney.edu.au/future_students

Potential for inaccuracy

Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information in this prospectus, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre for domestic students or the International Office for international students so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about those fees.

The academic requirements that are displayed are applicable to currently available courses only, and are updated annually in October and may be changed without notice. The Faculty Handbook and the University of Sydney Calendar are the official legal source of information relating to study at the University of Sydney, and you are referred to those documents

International students

International tuition fees for postgraduate students

This 2012 tuition fee for international postgraduate students represents the fees that are payable by you in the calendar year you commence your course, commencing in 2012 for a standard annual full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). If your study load is more or less than the 1.0 EFSTL your fee will differ.

Annual review

Importantly, tuition fees are subject to annual review, and are likely to increase each year of your period of study, effective at the start of each calendar year.

Additional incidental fees and health insurance

For some courses there are incidental fees additional to the tuition fees. Some of those fees are significant, for example, faculty-specific materials, tools, protected clothing, and equipment. For further information about these additional incidental fees, please visit the University's Future Student's online webpage at http://sydney.edu.au/future_students/international_postgraduate_coursework or http://sydney.edu.au/future_students/international_postgraduate_research

In addition to the fees indicated here for the course of study, International Students studying on an Australian Student Visa must have appropriate health insurance for the duration of their studies on a Student Visa through an approved provider of the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) scheme. This is a requirement of the Australian Government, unless otherwise exempted by the Government.

Potential for inaccuracy

Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information here, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre for domestic students or the International Office for international students so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about those fees.

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