Master of Arts (Research)

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Postgraduate research opportunities are available across a range of disciplines such as Psychology, Humanities, History, Sociology and the Arts. 

 A research degree is a unique opportunity to

  • develop new skills
  • enhance your problem-solving abilities
  • think logically, creatively and critically.

You will be supported by a large community of academic staff with experience conducting research projects, presenting papers to international conferences and publishing academic journal articles and books.

You will develop a capacity for solutions through independent research and problem analysis. You will expand and develop specialist knowledge in your chosen field of research and provide evidence of independent thought and the ability to manage a research project.

You will improve your career progression with professional skills that will make you competitive in your field and make a valuable contribution to new knowledge.

Course Essentials

How to apply

We are currently accepting applications for this course.

Already a VU student?

You can transfer into this course through our internal transfer process.

For more info contact the
College of Arts

Careers

Career opportunities include:

  • management-level positions in industry or government
  • research in government laboratories, research institutions or in industry
  • commissioning editor for a specialist academic journal
  • presenting at conferences
  • employment with a university conducting research
  • visiting key international research institutes

Learn more about your career options on the Australian government's Career Information and Resources website.

Course Objectives

The School of Social Sciences & Psychology offers supervision for Master's programs in many key research areas: some examples include Psychology, Community Psychology; Counselling; Sleep and Sleep problems; History; Political Science, Sociology, Asian Studies and International Development.

Units and electives

Standard completion times for research are 18 months for a Master's Degree and 36 months for a PhD, or part-time equivalent.

Students are invited, in the first instance, to discuss their potential research topic with the School Research Professor, or contact the Faculty Postgraduate Co-ordinator for more information.

What's a unit?

A unit or 'subject' is the actual class you'll attend in the process of completing a course.

Most courses have a mixture of compulsory 'core' units that you need to take, and optional 'elective' units that you can choose to take based on your area of interest, expertise or experience.

Credits

Each unit is worth a set amount of study credits based on the amount of time you study. Generally, 1 credit is equal to 1 hour of study per week.

Admission Information

  • Mature: Applicants for the Master of Arts (by Research) in the School of Social Sciences and Psychology, should normally have an Australian Psychological Society accredited fourth year (Honours or Graduate Diploma) in Psychology, with 2A honours level or better. Students with fourth-year or Master's degrees in other related disciplines may be considered if appropriate supervision is available.

English language requirements

Find out if you meet the entry requirements, including English language and academic requirements.

Admission requirements in your country

Find out if you meet the minimum academic (international qualification) requirements to be eligible to apply for this course by reviewing the academic entry requirements listed by country.

How to apply for this course

Apply online

If you have questions about your application, you can:

Get in touch

Contact us to discuss your course options:

Ring us on +61 3 9919 1164

Find answers and ask questions at GOTOVU

Information and fees listed above are for non-resident students starting the course in 2013. Fees are subject to approval and may change. In some courses students must buy equipment or clothing that they will need in the course. These equipment or clothing costs are not included in the course fees listed above and we recommend you seek advice from the relevant faculty.

VU takes care to ensure the accuracy of this course information, but reserves the right to change or withdraw courses offered at any time. Please check that course information is current with the Student Contact Centre.