Master of Creative Arts

Program summary

Program title: Master of Creative Arts
Award abbreviation: MCA
Degree type: Higher Degree by Research (HDR)
Study mode: internal, external
Duration: 1.5 years expected, 2 years maximum full-time; 3 years expected, 4 years maximum part-time
Commence: students can apply and start throughout the year, subject to program requirements
Fees: Domestic candidates ^, International candidates ^
USC program code: AR811
CRICOS code: 041913G

The Master of Creative Arts is a research higher degree for graduates wanting to enhance and specialise their studies or to change the focus of their existing knowledge and skills.

This program offers opportunities for you to develop specific knowledge and skills about the emerging creative industries, and to foster your intellectual capacities through critical, analytical, lateral and creative thinking.

Research areas

The areas offered in this program are:

• Creative Writing
• Design (New Media)

For more information, refer to the Faculty of Arts and Business research areas.

Enquiries

Faculty of Arts and Business
Dr Peter Innes
Tel: +61 7 5459 4802
Fax: +61 7 5430 2880
Email: pinnes@usc.edu.au

Office of Research
Research Training Administrator
Tel: +61 7 5456 5421
Fax: +61 7 5459 4727
Email: researchtraining@usc.edu.au

Admission requirements

To be eligible for admission to Master of Creative Arts candidature, applicants are normally required to hold a bachelors degree with at least Honours Class 2 Division II from a recognised higher education institution.

Applicants who have completed a bachelors degree and have achieved by subsequent work and study a standard equivalent to at least Honours Class 2 Division II may also be considered.

In exceptional cases applications may be considered on the basis of other evidence of general and professional qualifications as approved by the Research Degree Committee.

Refer also to the University's English language proficiency requirements.

Program structure

During candidature you undertake research for, and complete, the design, construction and presentation of original creative arts products, and a written exegesis of between 15,000 and 20,000 words.

The exegesis must be a critical, scholarly and reflective articulation of the creative work produced for the degree, and must explain how that creative work relates to the development of knowledge and understanding in the creative tradition of which it is a part.

Program requirements and notes

1. Prospective applicants wishing to undertake a Master of Creative Arts will need to find a suitable supervisor by contacting the Faculty of Arts and Business.
2. For further information, refer to the Research Master Degrees - Academic Policy.
3. Refer to related policies, rules, plans and procedures.
4. Refer to the research areas for the Faculty of Arts and Business.
5. Refer to the University's English language proficiency requirements.
6. Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa.

^ Enrolment and Fees

1. Domestic candidates: Australian and New Zealand citizens and permanent residents are not required to pay tuition fees for the standard duration of their HDR program. The Australian Government's Research Training Scheme (RTS) covers the cost of HDR tuition fees for these candidates. Research Master candidates are entitled to a maximum of two years full-time equivalent study. Candidates who do not complete their degree within the maximum RTS allowable completion times may be required to pay fees for any additional periods of enrolment. Please refer to Higher Degree by Research fees.
2. International candidates: tuition fees apply. Refer to International HDR tuition fees.
3. In any semester, full-time enroment comprises 0.500 EFTSL.*
4. In any semester, part-time enrolment comprises 0.250 EFTSL.*
5. The census date for withdrawal without financial penalty or academic penalty is the Semester 1 or 2 census date.

* EFTSL - Equivalent Full-Time Student Load. One year of full-time study equates to 1.000 EFTSL.

The information below applies to domestic HDR applicants only. International students should refer to the information for International HDR applicants.

Step 1: Consider admission criteria

Consider whether you meet academic admissions criteria. If you are unsure if you meet this criteria please contact the Office of Research for guidance.

Step 2: Contact the relevant faculty

To apply for a Higher Degree by Research (including Master by Research and Doctoral degrees), you must first contact the relevant faculty (Faculty of Arts and Business or Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering) to discuss your intended research topic and a possible supervisor.

Entry is highly competitive and depends on:

• your academic background
• the submission of a suitable research proposal
• the availability of a registered supervisor
• the availability of resources to support your proposed research topic

Step 3: Develop a research proposal

You will need to develop a research proposal together with your intended supervisor before submitting an application.

Finding a supervisor

All supervisors at USC are required to be admitted to the register of supervisors. Use the Experts Guide to find a potential supervisor in your area of research, and remember to ask your supervisor if they are registered.

Step 4: Complete an application form

Complete an application form and submit this with your supporting documents to the Research Training Administrator.

• Higher Degree by Research application form (Word 545KB)

Step 5: Submit completed application form

Submit your completed application form with supporting documentation to the Office of Research.

You may apply at any time as entry dates to higher degrees by research are flexible. Only complete applications will be considered.