Entry requirements for the Master of Arts (Thesis only)

• Admission criteria
• English language requirements
• About selection
• Additional information

Admission criteria

To be considered for entry into this course, you must:

• Have completed a four year bachelor honours degree (AQF8) in a cognate (relevant) discipline with a weighted average mark (WAM) of 70% in the cognate (relevant) discipline studies in final year, which includes a substantial research component equivalent to at least 25% of one year of full-time study with a minimum result of 75% for the research component, or equivalent.

Or

• Have completed a Masters degree (AQF9) in a cognate (relevant) discipline with a weighted average mark (WAM) of 70%, which includes a substantial research component equivalent to at least 25% of one year of full-time study with a minimum result of 75% for the research component, or equivalent.

Or

• Have a qualification, and have professional or other relevant experience or a combination of both, that are considered to be equivalent by the Selection Committee.

Or

• Be an Indigenous Australian who can establish Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander eligibility and is assessed by the Selection Committee as likely to succeed in their proposed course of study.

Cognate (relevant) disciplines include:

• An area that is relevant to the intended graduate research program, with sufficient specialisation such that there is already a developed understanding and appreciation of a body of knowledge relevant to the intended graduate research course.

Where degree levels are referenced, levels align with the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). Applications are assessed against these standards.

Where our admission criteria include a minimum Weighted Average Mark (WAM) and/or specific subject criteria, these are based on University of Melbourne grades and subjects. If you’ve studied elsewhere, we’ll assess your relevant prior studies and equivalent grades. Your final WAM may be adjusted depending on your previous institution’s accreditation, subject grading, and pass marks.

English language requirements

All applicants to the University of Melbourne must satisfy the English language requirements. You can meet this requirement in several ways, including recognised previous study taught and assessed entirely in English or an approved English language test. If you are from a non-English speaking background, the required standard of English for this degree is one of the following English proficiency test scores:

• IELTS Academic English: Minimum score of 7.0 overall (writing 7.0; speaking 6.5; reading 6.5; listening 6.5)
• TOEFL: Minimum score of 91 (writing 26; speaking 22; reading 19; listening 19)
• Pearson: Minimum score of 72 (writing 75; speaking 66; reading 64; listening 64)
• Cambridge C1 Advanced: Minimum score of 178 (writing 193; speaking 187; reading 168; listening 168)
• LanguageCert: Minimum score of 73 (writing 78; speaking 76; reading 65; listening 62)
• MET: Minimum score of 62 (writing 74; speaking 53; reading 59; listening 59)

^{*Accepted tests: IELTS (Academic English only); TOEFL Internet-based test; Pearson Test of English Academic; Cambridge English: Advanced/Certificate of Advanced English (CAE); LanguageCert Academic; Michigan English Test. If a test displays N/A, it is not accepted for this course.}

About selection

As part of your application, you must also:

• Provide a curriculum vitae (CV) outlining relevant education, work experience, skills and achievements. Include details about any research experience, publications, academic projects and contributions to scholarly work.
• Provide a research proposal (up to 5000 words) in accordance with course-specific requirements. Information should include, but not be limited to: outlining problems to be explored, research objectives or hypotheses, significance of the research and proposed research method.
• Provide a proposed research supervisor’s name, title, and endorsement, confirming their support for your research.
• Provide a recent example of scholarly writing of 3000–5000 words.
• Provide referee contact details.
• Provide referee reports.
• Attend an interview.

Missing information or documents may result in your application being deemed ineligible.

When assessing (and where relevant, ranking) applications, the Selection Committee will consider:

• Relevance of previous study
• Prior academic performance
• Motivation to complete the course
• Capacity to complete the course
• Relevant prior (research and/or professional) experience
• Performance at an interview
• Demonstrated ability in academic writing
• Quality of research proposal
• Required resources, facilities and supervisory arrangements

The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Selection and Admission Policy.

Meeting the minimum entry requirements for this course does not guarantee selection.

Additional information

All candidates are required to complete the equivalent of at least 12 months full-time (24 months part-time) advanced study and research at the University unless studying at an approved outside institution. The Pro Vice-Chancellor for graduate research may provide a partial waiver of this requirement in certain circumstances. Entirely remote or online supervision will not usually be approved.

• The School of Social and Political Science does not offer direct entry into the Master of Arts (Thesis Only). The intakes into Anthropology, Criminology, Development Studies, Political Science, Social Theory and Socio-Legal Studies have been suspended until further notice.
• Course duration is 2 years full-time/4 years part-time.
• Part-time enrolment is not available to international students.
• Having an academic staff member indicate willingness to supervise does not guarantee selection.