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Master of Philosophy - Architecture, Building and Planning (MR-PHILABP)
Masters (Research)Year: 2024 Delivered: On Campus (Parkville)
About this course
Coordinator
Michele Acuto
Contact
Future students:
- Visit: https://msd.unimelb.edu.au/graduate-research-programs
- Enquires : https://msd.unimelb.edu.au/entry-requirements-and-eligibility
Coordinator
Michael Acuto
Associate Dean – Research
Melbourne School of Design
Email: msdgr-info@unimelb.edu.au
Overview
Award title | Master of Philosophy |
---|---|
Year & campus | 2024 — Parkville |
CRICOS code | 061947K |
Fees information | Subject EFTSL, level, discipline and census date |
Study level & type | Graduate Research |
AQF level | 9 |
Duration | 2 years full-time, or equivalent part-time |
The Master of Philosophy (MPhil) is an internationally recognised masters (by research) degree. It is designed for students to develop advanced skills in carrying out independent and sustained research. The thesis should demonstrate a critical application of specialist knowledge and make an independent contribution to existing scholarship in the area of research.
The normal length of an MPhil thesis is 30,000-40,000 words, exclusive of words in tables, maps bibliographies and appendices. Footnotes are included as part of the word limit.
The thesis may be submitted as Creative Work and Dissertation. Any thesis submitted as Creative Work and Dissertation will be examined as an integrated whole.
Areas of Research in the Faculty of Architecture Building and Planning can be seen at: http://www.msd.unimelb.edu.au
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
MPhil applicants will be assessed using the criteria described below. The measures include an assessment of a candidate’s knowledge of the discipline and evidence of their ability to complete a rigorous research project.
Applicants are required to meet the minimum standards described below. Meeting these criteria, however, does not guarantee selection.
Minimum qualifications and level of academic achievement
To be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:
- a four-year honours degree in a relevant discipline which includes a substantial research component, equivalent to at least 25% of one year of full-time study. Applicants should have achieved a minimum weighted average of 75% in the final year subjects (H2A 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. Applicants should have achieved a minimum weighted average of 75% (H2A University of Melbourne equivalent); or
- a qualification and professional experience considered by the Higher Degrees Research Committee (HDRC) to be equivalent;
In addition, applications will be assessed on:
Relevance of the Degree
The completed degree must be in an area that is relevant to the intended thesis. Professional experience in the area of the intended thesis may be deemed equivalent.
Currency of applicant’s knowledge of the discipline
The applicant's degree/s and/or professional experience must demonstrate that their knowledge of the discipline in which they plan to undertake their research higher degree is current.
Quality of research proposal and level of suitability
The quality of the applicant’s research proposal will form part of the assessment. Based on interview or other verbal communication, an assessment may also be made of the applicant’s level of understanding, motivation and time commitment for the proposed program of study. For example, a full-time student will be expected to devote at least 40 hours a week and a part-time student about half of this.
Demonstrated ability in the creative discipline (for those applying to do a creative work and dissertation)
For example, through the submission of a folio of prior creative works.
Referee reports
Referee reports will also be considered in the assessment.
Applicants must also meet the University’s English Language requirements
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
All MPhil candidates are required to complete the equivalent of at least six months full-time (12 months part-time) advanced study and research at the University unless studying at an outside institution approved by the Higher Degrees Research Committee (HDRC). The HDRC will not approve entirely distance supervision or entirely on-line supervision for research higher degree students. Throughout their candidature candidates are expected to attend the University in order to benefit from planning, conducting and writing up their research within a University community and environment.
The residency requirement is deemed especially important during the first six months of candidature. During this time the student is expected to interact on a regular basis with the supervisor, the department (including staff and other research students) and the University, so as:
- to build the skills and knowledge necessary to carry out the proposed research program
- to acquire an understanding of the standards and requirements for an PhD awarded by the University
- to make use of support programs and facilities provided by the University throughout the candidature
It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability will impact on meeting the requirements of this course are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser
and Student Equity and Disability Support Service.
Intended learning outcomes
Research degrees at the University of Melbourne seek to develop graduates who demonstrate academic leadership, increasing independence, creativity and innovation in their research work. Graduates of the Master of Philosophy– Architecture Building and Planning should have:
Knowledge
- A body of knowledge that includes the understanding of recent developments in one or more disciplines.
- Advanced knowledge of research principles and methods applicable to the field of work or learning.
Skills
- Cognitive skills to demonstrate mastery of theoretical knowledge and to reflect critically on theory and its application.
- Cognitive, technical and creative skills to investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories and to apply established theories to different bodies of knowledge or practice.
- Cognitive, technical and creative skills to generate and evaluate complex ideas and concepts at an abstract level.
- Cognitive and technical skills to design, use and evaluate research and research methods.
- Communication and technical skills to present a coherent and sustained argument and to disseminate research results to specialist and non specialist audiences.
- Technical and communication skills to design, evaluate, implement, analyse, theorise and disseminate research that makes a contribution to knowledge.
Application
- Creativity and initiative to approach new situations and/or for further learning.
- High level personal autonomy and accountability to plan and execute a substantial piece of research.
Graduate attributes
Research degrees at the University of Melbourne seek to develop graduates who demonstrate academic leadership, increasing independence, creativity and innovation in their research work.The University provides a variety of opportunities in addition to the supervised research program, to facilitate a students' acquisition of these attributes.
Graduates of the Master of Philosophy – Architecture Building and Planning should have:
- an advanced ability to initiate research and to formulate viable research questions;
- a demonstrated capacity to design, conduct and report sustained and original research;
- the capacity to contextualise research within an international corpus of specialist knowledge;
- an advanced ability to evaluate and synthesize research-based and scholarly literature;
- an advanced understanding of key disciplinary and multi-disciplinary norms and perspectives relevant to the field;
- highly developed problem-solving abilities and flexibility of approach;
- the ability to analyse critically within and across a changing disciplinary environment;
- the capacity to disseminate the results of research and scholarship by oral and written communication to a variety of audiences;
- a capacity to cooperate with and respect the contributions of fellow researchers and scholars;
- a profound respect for truth and intellectual integrity, and for the ethics of research and scholarship;
- an advanced facility in the management of information, including the application of computer systems and software where appropriate to the student's field of study;
- an understanding of the relevance and value of their research to national and international communities of scholars and collaborators;
- an awareness where appropriate of issues related to intellectual property management and the commercialisation of innovation; and
- an ability to formulate applications to relevant agencies, such as funding bodies and ethics committees. The University provides a variety of opportunities in addition to the supervised research program, to facilitate a students' acquisition of these attributes.
Course structure
All candidates for the MPhil will be examined on the basis of their thesis of 30,000-40,000 words. The MPhil thesis may take the form of a corpus of creative work, plus a dissertation of no less than 15,000 words which aims to address, elucidate and contextualise the work.
A candidate will have appropriately experienced supervisor/s and an Advisory Committee who in consultation with the candidate, arranges a course of supervised research designed to suit the individual requirements and interests of the candidate. A candidate may be required to supplement their research program by attendance at, or enrolment in, additional subjects if considered necessary by the supervisor(s).
Application Procedure
Detailed information for prospective MPhil students regarding the application process, including the application form is available at http://www.futurestudents.unimelb.edu.au/grad/research.
Prospective MPhil candidates should investigate the Faculty website for information on current research and contact details: http://www.msd.unimelb.edu.au
MPhil applicants should discuss their research interests with a potential supervisor at the department in which they would like to enrol prior to submitting an application.
There are mutliple application deadlines throughout the year: Application process
Which scholarship can I apply for?
Students can find information about graduate research scholarships offered by the University of Melbourne at the Melbourne Scholarships Office
Facilities and Supports:
The University makes available a broad range of Research Training and Professional Development for graduate researchers.
Last updated: 30 January 2024