School of Philosophy

Postgraduate Studies

The School of Philosophy offers a range of postgraduate certificate and degree programs, ranging from graduate certificates (intended for people new to philosophy, who already have a degree in another discipline) to the PhD (intended for students ready to pursue a research project at a sustained level of expertise). The Department is able to offer postgraduate coursework and supervision in a wide range of areas, including:

For further information on staff areas of expertise see the listing of academic staff.

1. Which course should I apply for?

The first question to answer is your level of expertise and experience. If you do not yet have the equivalent of an honours degree in Philosophy or a very closely related discipline, your best option would be to consider enrolling in a graduate certificate or graduate diploma, which provide you with the equivalent of an undergraduate course of study in philosophy. The postgraduate certificate and postgraduate diploma, provide an entry point into philosophical research, roughly at the same stage as the honours year in a four year B.A. (Honours) degree. The research degrees of the Master of Arts and Ph.D. allow the student to engage in more sustained research.

The standard path of entry to a PhD in Philosophy at the University of Melbourne is the MA by Advanced Seminar and Shorter Thesis (Course Code 102NC) or MA in Philosophy (International Justice) (Course Code 102IJ). Note that these is research and not a coursework degrees. All research students are expected to enrol in this in the first instance, though exceptions may be made if a student has successfully completed a research degree already. In the first year of their candidature, as well as working with their supervisor on the preparation of their thesis, students take two coursework subjects, of duration one semester each. One of these is based on a seminar dealing with historical texts. The texts will be determined at the start of the seminar, and will cover a variety of areas and traditions. The aim of this subject is to enrich and deepen students’ knowledge of philosophy. The second subject comprises a literature review of contemporary material relevant to the area of the student’s. This programme of reading and seminars will be designed on an individual basis for each student. The aim of this subject is to produce work that will feed directly into the student’s thesis. Each subject will be assessed by essay and/or examination.

At the end of about a year, a student’s progress will be assessed by the Department. If all is going well, and if the student wishes, they will then convert to a PhD, the expected finishing time for which is 3.5 years in toto. It is a legitimate expectation that conversion to the PhD will occur. If it does not, the student may finish off the MA by production of the thesis, the expected finishing time for which is 1.5 years in toto.

Note the following features of this process:

  1. The change from the MA to a PhD is entirely formal. Nothing more is required than the agreement of the student and the department (and the appropriate administrative paperwork).
  2. An Australian Government Research Scholarship, an International Postgraduate Research Scholarship, or a University of Melbourne Research Scholarship that has been awarded to a student to undertake the MA is extended automatically to cover the standard period allocated for completion of a PhD (maximum total time: 3.5 years).
  3. The upgrading of the enrolment is simply a formal version of the confirmation procedures that are standard in all Australian universities nowadays. But the option of finishing off the MA allows students whose work is not on target for a PhD, or who decide that they do not want to pursue a PhD, simply to complete the MA. We believe that the structure provided by this program will contribute positively to the postgraduate research environment and will facilitate the transition from undergraduate to postgraduate study.
  4. The final assessment of the PhD is solely on the basis of the thesis written. The coursework is not taken into account.

Students who already hold a research degree may apply directly to the PhD. As part of their enrolment in the PhD, the Department will normally expect students to undertake the same program of advanced seminar study during their period of probationary candidacy. Students who have already been admitted to candidature in the PhD elsewhere and wish to transfer their candidature to the University of Melbourne should discuss their situation directly with the postgraduate coordinator, Dr. Douglas Adeney.

Students not currently intending to pursue the PhD can enrol in either the Master of Arts in Philosophy (Advanced Seminar and Shorter Thesis), or the Master of Arts in Philosophy (Thesis only). Enrolment in the Masters by Thesis only does not preclude deciding to pursue a PhD at a later date.

Still not sure which course to apply for? Send a message to the postgraduate coordinator, Dr. Douglas Adeney.

2. When do I apply?

Places in postgraduate degrees -- whether MA by advanced seminar and shorter thesis, MA by thesis only, or PhD -- are available on a twice yearly basis. For the first intake, available from January, applications should be received before October 31 in the previous year. (Note: for international students wishing to be considered for scholarships, the scholarship deadline is September 15 in the year before you wish to commence your studies). For the second intake, available from July 1, applications should be received by May 31 of the same year in which you wish to commence your studies. In special circumstances, places may be available at other times of the year: contact the postgraduate coordinator, Dr. Douglas Adeney.

3. How do I apply?

3.1 The administrative side of your application

You can find links to all admission and scholarship forms on the Arts Faculty Research students page.

You can ask to have hard copies of these forms and relevant background information sent to you by sending e-mail to:

  1. MA application forms: j.ligouris@unimelb.edu.au
  2. PhD application forms: grad-info@viking.sgs.unimelb.edu.au
  3. Scholarship forms (for Australian citizens or permanent residents and New Zealand citizens): pg-schols@unimelb.edu.au
  4. International students (application and scholarship form & information about TOEFL): unimelb@custhelp.com

3.2 The academic side of your application

3.2.1 Who might be able to offer supervision?: Decisions about the allocation of supervisors are made at the Departmental level on the basis of fit between the proposal and the supervisor’s area of expertise, supervisor availability, and other Departmental needs. However, it can be useful to make contact with potential supervisors to discuss your research plans. Some staff list areas in which they are currently actively seeking research students on their home-page (see School of Philosophy Academic Staff, and CAPPE Academic Staff). Preliminary inquiries can be made to the postgraduate coordinator, Dr. Douglas Adeney who will be able to offer advice regarding potential supervisors.

3.2.2 Preparing a research proposal: The research proposal is an important part of your application. The quality of the research proposal is one factor taken into account in an admission decision. It is also used to match student with supervisor. Research proposals should be 600 words in length regardless of the course being applied for. Be sure to include a short bibliography with your research proposal.

3.3.3 A sample of your philosophical writing: It is recommended, though not required, that you submit a writing sample of 15 to 20 pages with your application. This can provide us with additional information useful in assessing your application and in assigning supervisors.

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