Master of Philosophy - Education (MR-PHILEDU)

Overview

Entry requirements

1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:

• a four-year bachelor degree in a relevant discipline which includes a substantial research component equivalent to at least 25% of one year of full-time study and have achieved a minimum weighted average of 75% in the final year subjects or (University of Melbourne) equivalent; or
• a masters degree in a relevant discipline which includes a substantial research component equivalent to at least 25% of one year of full-time study and achieved a minimum weighted average of 75% or (University of Melbourne) equivalent; or
• a qualification and professional experience considered to be equivalent;

and

• submit a research proposal;
• provide referee reports (except for applicants who have graduated from the University of Melbourne within the last 5 years);
• have obtained the endorsement of a prospective supervisor.

Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.

2. In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:

• prior academic performance and, if relevant, professional qualifications;
• performance at interview;
• quality of research proposal;
• understanding of the research question to be explored;
• motivation and capacity to complete the course in a timely manner;
• relevant prior research and/or professional experience; 
• suitability and availability of supervisors; and
• referee reports.

3. The selection committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Selection and Admission into Graduate Research Courses Policy.

4. Applicants must meet the University’s English language requirements. 

The University welcomes applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Indigenous Australians who are not otherwise selected will be admitted if the Selection Committee determines that they are likely to succeed in the course. Indigenous applicants are encouraged to contact Murrup Barak for support in preparing their application. 

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

Inherent requirements are the abilities, knowledge and skills needed to complete the course and the proposed research project. They include the ability to: 

• source, comprehend and analyse complex information;
• comprehend and apply principles of research integrity;
• possess behavioural and social attributes necessary to participate in the research;
• generate research data and outputs;
• communicate research knowledge and the application of research principles and practices;
• participate actively and safely in the research project. 

The Master of Philosophy – Education welcomes applications from candidates with disabilities. The University will take all reasonable steps to enable the participation of students with disabilities.  

Candidates who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this course are encouraged to discuss this with  Student Equity and Disability Support.  

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), academic requirements for this course are articulated in the Course Overview, Learning Outcomes and Assessment sections of this entry. 

Course structure

Candidates enrol in a thesis subject for the duration of the course and undertake original research under academic supervision. The research project is designed to be completed in 18 months full-time equivalent with one possible six-month extension to the maximum candidature duration of 2 years. 

Course rules 

Candidates must: 

• satisfy any relevant regulatory requirements, prior to or following commencement as required;
• complete required mandatory training;
• complete specified academic progress requirements;
• spend a minimum of 6 months full-time equivalent study at the University unless otherwise approved by the Pro Vice-Chancellor for graduate research;
• present the results of their research at a completion seminar prior to thesis submission. 

Assessment 

Award of the degree is based on examination of the thesis. 

The thesis is usually a dissertation of 30,000-40,000 words up to a maximum of 50,000 words, inclusive of footnotes but exclusive of tables, maps, bibliographies and appendices. It may incorporate publications, or sections of a publication arising from research undertaken during the course. 

Approval of the Pro Vice-Chancellor for graduate research is required to write the thesis in a language other than English or to exceed the maximum word limit. 

Creative work

The thesis may comprise creative or non-traditional research output and dissertation to the equivalent of 40,000 words. The dissertation must be of at least 20,000 words, weighted at 50% of the thesis and must present the research objectives addressed and contextualise the research as new knowledge. Inclusion of non-traditional research outputs and creative works need to be justified methodologically in the thesis and at the preconfirmation and confirmation meetings. The creative work must be documented and either the documentation or the creative work itself submitted with the dissertation. 

The creative or non-traditional research output may take the form of exhibition or multimedia subject to the capacity of the faculty to resource the proposed creative work.  

The form, weighting and presentation of the creative output must be agreed at confirmation. 

Refer to the Graduate Research Hub for further information.

Coursework Component

A candidate may be required to supplement their research program by attending or enrolling in additional subjects, if considered necessary by the supervisors. Enrolment in coursework subjects must not exceed one-third of the expected course duration.  

Subject options

Thesis

Detailed information on the thesis is available at Graduate Research Hub

Credit points are not assigned to the research thesis subjects that are offered as part of graduate research courses.
The load or weight varies according to the duration and structure of the course, enrolment status (ie. full-time or part-time), etc.

EDUC90515 MPhil Research

Further study

Graduates from this program are eligible to apply for entry to the Doctor of Education program or a PhD provided they meet the entry requirements and subject to achievement of an H2A GPA.

Application Procedure: http://education.unimelb.edu.au/study_with_us/how_to_apply

Last updated: 27 February 2025