Program summary
Become a thought leader in arts and culture.
This master’s degree gives you the chance to delve into your specialisation and produce an original contribution in your industry or field. In this program, you'll learn advanced research skills and enhance your ability to critically review literature and case studies.
Sharpen your faculties in problem solving and decision making in a rigorous environment for intellectual, professional and personal growth. The School of Social Sciences and School of Creative Industries offer broad study areas to choose from, with highly qualified academic staff to supervise your research.
Research areas
USC supports research in the following areas:
- Communication and media studies
- Creative arts
- Mental health and wellbeing
- Society and culture
- Environment and sustainability
- Management and business
- Law
Admission requirements
To be eligible for admission to Master of Arts candidature, applicants are normally required to hold a bachelor 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 Degrees Committee.
Refer also to the University's English language requirements.
Admission is subject to availability of appropriate supervision and facilities.
Application and admission advice
Contact Student Central
information@usc.edu.au
+61 7 5430 2890
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What will I study
Program structure
As a candidate you are required to conduct research that can be written up as a scholarly thesis. You must demonstrate research competency and the ability to make a significant and original contribution to the body of knowledge in your chosen area of specialisation.
You must clearly articulate in your research outline, the topic, background, rationale, research question, aim and objectives, methodology, research methods and techniques, and timeframe.
Your research outline is to include a literature review that relates to the research question and objectives. The results of your research activities should be presented succinctly and accurately and as necessary could be supported by more detailed annexures.
Your syntheses analysis and discussion must clearly focus on the research question and the objectives of the work.
Conclusions and recommendations must be drawn from your analysis and discussion and reflect the attainment of the aim and the way in which the research question is addressed.
Program requirements and notes
- Prospective applicants wishing to undertake a Master of Arts can use the Research Supervisor Search to find a suitable supervisor.
- For further information, refer to the Higher Degrees by Research - Academic Policy.
- Refer to related policies, rules, plans and procedures.
- Refer to the research areas for the Faculty of Arts, Business and Law.
- International students need to refer to the University's English language proficiency requirements.
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
Enrolment and fees
- 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 degree 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.
- International candidates: tuition fees apply. Refer to International HDR tuition fees.
- In any semester, full-time enrolment comprises 0.500 EFTSL. *
- In any semester, part-time enrolment comprises 0.250 EFTSL. *
- 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.
How to apply
Applicants are required to complete the following four steps. Please also refer to additional information.
- Step 1. Consider entry requirements
- Step 2. Find a supervisor
- Step 3. Prepare supporting documentation
- Step 4. Complete and submit application form
- Additional information
Step 1: Consider entry requirements
There are two sets of requirements to consider, the general HDR entry requirements laid out in the Higher Degrees by Research Candidature – Procedures and additional specific program requirements which can be found here.
Entry is highly competitive and depends on:
- your academic background
- your English language proficiency (if English is not your first language, see step 4)
- the submission of a suitable research proposal
- the availability of a registered supervisor
- the availability of resources to support your proposed research topic
Step 2: Find a supervisor
Use the Research Supervisor Search to find a potential supervisor in your area of research. Contact the researcher to discuss your proposal and their availability to supervise you.
Step 3: Prepare supporting documentation
- Research Proposal. Download the Research proposal template (Word 13KB)
- Evidence of academic background
- Academic transcripts and completion certificates (transcripts must include a Key to Grading) - Please note, for studies completed outside of Australia you must provide certified copies of documents in the original language and an official English translation.
- Formal notification from the qualifying university stating the allocation of marks to research component of a degree where not evident on the transcript
- If transferring from another Australian university, a statement from your current/former university stating HDR candidature consumed to date, probationary or confirmed status, and tuition fee type
- Evidence of research publications/experience
- For example - Abstract (in English), details of publication, copy of the front page of the article/paper, link to article's location
- Evidence of citizenship or Australian Permanent Residency
- Birth certificate, passport, citizenship certificate, or visa
- Evidence of English language proficiency (required for applicants who are not from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom and United States of America)
- Review USC’s English language requirements. Some disciplines may require a higher level of English language proficiency, as provided in the Higher Degree by Research Admission and Enrolment – Guidelines.
- Please note that Language of Instruction will only be accepted from the countries listed above.
- Where original documents are not provided by the test provider, applicants must be able to verify results online.
Step 4: Complete and submit an application form
Domestic applicants (Australian and New Zealand Citizens and Australian permanent residents)
- Domestic applicants apply online. You will be asked to upload your supporting documents to this system. If you need to provide the original or certified copies of documents, you can provide a copy via the online system in the first instance, however, you must also provide hard-copies to the below mailing address.
International applicants
- International applicants apply using the Application for Admission HDR (PDF 238KB) form, which must be submitted electronically. Original or certified documents must be provided as an electronic copy and then certified copies of supporting documents posted to the address below.
- The application form and supporting documentation should be submitted electronically via information@usc.edu.au.
Graduate Research Office
ML 26
University of the Sunshine Coast
Locked Bag 4
Maroochydore DC Qld 4558 Australia
Additional information
HDR Program admission deadlines to be eligible to be considered in the Current Research Training Program Scholarship round can be found under Additional information for HDR Applicants. Only complete applications will be considered (including original or certified copies of supporting documents for international applicants).
Complete applications take approximately 6-8 weeks to be processed (this may vary during peak periods). Applications can be accepted at any time, however applications must be submitted at least 8 weeks prior to the nominated commencement date. International applicants should be mindful of extra time required to organise a visa when nominating a commencement date, and should allow an additional 3 months).
- Submit your Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship application by the scholarship closing date.
*One of the eligibility criteria is that applicants must have been accepted to enrol in a HDR program at USC. Therefore, below are recommended deadlines for submitting Admissions Applications:
- International applicants - Sunday, 28 July 2019
- Domestic applicants - Sunday, 15th September 2019
If you do not submit your Admission Application by the above date and you do not receive an Offer for Admission before 13 October, you will be ineligible for the RTP Scholarship and your application will not be considered.
- Additional information is available for International students.
- Only complete applications will be considered (including original or certified copies of supporting documents for international applicants).
- Complete applications take approximately 6-8 weeks to be processed (this may vary during peak periods).
- Applications can be accepted at any time, however applications must be submitted at least 8 weeks prior to the nominated commencement date. International applicants should be mindful of extra time required to organise a visa when nominating a commencement date.
Admission process
- The Graduate Research Office receives the complete application:
- Domestic applications
- Are sent to the enrolling School for their assessment and admission decision
- The School returns their admission decision to the Office of Research which advises the student if they have been accepted for admission(by issuing a Letter of Offer and a Description of Candidature), or if they have been unsuccessful
- Successful applicants provide the Graduate Research Office with their Acceptance of Offer
- The Graduate Research Office advises Student Services and Engagement to enrol the student
- Student Services and Engagement provides the student with their enrolment and system access details
- International applications
- Are sent to USC International for assessment of international qualifications and English language proficiency
- Forwarded to the enrolling School for an assessment and admission decision.
- The School returns their admission decision to the Graduate Research Office, which then liaises with USC International to issue an offer to successful applicants, or
- the Graduate Research Office advises unsuccessful applicants.
- Successful applicants advise USC International if they accept the offer
- The Graduate Research Office enrols the student through Student Services and Engagement
- Student Services and Engagement advises the student of their enrolment and provides system access details
- Domestic applications
Need help?
- Visit Student Central to find instant answers to frequently asked questions, or to lodge a more specific question
- Email information@usc.edu.au for other enquiries