The Master of Philosophy (MPhil) is designed to provide an opportunity for students to develop research competence in a limited timeframe.

The program duration is 1.5 years full-time or 3 years part-time. The minimum length of candidature is 1 year and the maximum length is 2 years.

See UNSW Higher Degree Research Learning Outcomes.

Conversion from an MPhil to a PhD program is possible conditional on:

(i) satisfactory annual progress review, confirmation of candidature in accordance with UNSW Procedures for Review of Higher Degree Research Candidatures and with the approval of the UNSW Canberra Higher Degree Committee; and

(ii) satisfactory completion of the coursework component.

Program structure

The Master of Philosophy (MPhil) consists of an examinable coursework component and thesis comprising 72 Units of Credit:

A program of advanced study, comprising 18-24 Units of Credit of coursework makes up the remainder of the program. The coursework component will normally comprise three or four courses selected from the Coursework Masters offering for the relevant discipline and approved by the Head of School. Candidates may undertake interdisciplinary studies subject to approval.
A thesis embodies the result of an original investigation, design or engineering development. The thesis shall not exceed more than 40,000 words on an approved topic to the value of 48 - 54 units of credit.

Before enrolment an applicant should submit an intended program for approval by the School controlling the research discipline for the degree. The School will ensure that the coursework component is relevant to, or complements, the research component, and that the candidate satisfies pre-requisite requirements for the study.

The MPhil program is offered in the following disciplinary streams:

English (ZHSSER)
History (ZHSSHR)
Southeast Asian Social Inquiry (ZHSSIR)
International and Political Studies (ZHSSPR)