Overview

The Graduate Diploma in Arts by Research is offered by Schools and approved disciplinary programs in UNSW Arts and Social Sciences. It is designed primarily to enable students with substantial concentration in an area of study in an undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degree to achieve a qualification to meet the … For more content click the Read More button below. The Graduate Diploma in Arts by Research degree will enable students with substantial concentration in an area of study to be competent in carrying out research in their chosen area. Students will have achieved a qualification to meet the requirements for entry to postgraduate research programs in the Faculty. The Diploma involves the writing of a 15 - 20,000 word research thesis under supervision and the completion of two-session length courses. The program is undertaken on a full-time basis over one year or two years part-time. It is designed as a replica of the honours year program, and the research and supervision are exactly as for an honour student. It is therefore normally expected that the thesis mark will be determined by a committee of the relevant School, after evaluations by at least two thesis examiners (internal or external) appointed by the School.

Admission Requirements

Entry Requirements

Program Requirements

Progression Requirements

Additional Information

ACADEMIC RULES

The Graduate Diploma in Arts by Research may be awarded by the Council on the recommendation of the Postgraduate Affairs Committee of UNSW Arts and Social Sciences (hereinafter referred to as the Committee) to a candidate who has satisfactorily completed a program of study that includes the submission of a research thesis embodying the results of an original investigation and the completion of prescribed coursework.

Enrolment and Progression

The normal duration of the program is two academic sessions from the date of enrolment in the case of a full-time candidate or four sessions in the case of a part-time candidate. In special circumstances a variation of these times may be approved by the Head of School/Unit.

A candidate shall be enrolled as an internal student, ie. undertake the research at a campus or research facility with which the University is associated except that the Committee may permit the candidate to spend a period in the field, within another institution or elsewhere away from the University provided that the work can be supervised in a manner satisfactory to the Committee. In such circumstances the Committee shall be satisfied that the location and period of time away from the University are necessary for the research program.

Research Thesis

On completing the course of study a candidate shall submit to the School/Unit a research thesis embodying the results of the original investigation and which shall present an account of the candidate's own research.

Coursework

The School/Unit shall specify, at the time of the candidate's acceptance into the program, any courses to be undertaken and the level of achievement required in each of the courses. It is normally required that the candidate complete two 6 units of credit courses at the level of achievement specified.

Applicants with appropriate backgrounds at undergraduate or postgraduate coursework levels may be granted credit transfer for part of the coursework. No credit transfer may be granted for the thesis component of the course. Credit transfer will not be granted for work completed more than six years before the date of admission of the applicant.

Course Exemptions

Candidates may be awarded a maximum of one course exemption in the Graduate Diploma program.

This course exemption must be authorised by the Associate Dean (research) and it will only be authorised on the grounds that the student is likely to duplicate work already completed in a previous degree program.

A student who receives a course exemption in the Graduate Diploma will not be eligible for entry into the Masters Research program or PhD.

Further Information

Contact the UNSW Arts and Social Sciences Student Services for advice.

Program Fees

At UNSW fees are generally charged at course level and therefore dependent upon individual enrolment and other factors such as student's residency status. For generic information on fees and additional expenses of UNSW programs, click on one of the following:

Pre-2019 Handbook Editions

Access past handbook editions (2018 and prior)