Master of Philosophy (Creative Arts & Communication)

The Master of Philosophy (Creative Arts & Communication) is a flexible course that provides a bridge towards doctoral level study. You may pursue purely scholarly research or a combination of creative and scholarly research. The course is suited to experienced creative arts practitioners who wish to extend their practice within a scholarly context. It is also appropriate for applicants with an excellent undergraduate creative arts background who wish to extend their scholarly and/or creative skills.

The degree comprises 24 credit points of coursework and a 72-credit point thesis. Advanced standing for the coursework component of the degree may be awarded, which will determine the appropriate entry point.

As a guide, submission by thesis only will be in the range of 35,000 to 45,000. The submission of creative work will normally be by exhibition, performance or presentation in the chosen area of practice, supported by one of the following:

• An exegesis (approximately 15,000 words) focusing on aspects such as origins of the work, structures and techniques used, and artistic theories underpinning the work.
• A short dissertation (approximately 15,000 words) that makes a scholarly argument linked to but not dependent on the body of creative work.

The How to Apply: Higher Degree Research website provides information on the additional supporting information that must be included with your application.

Visit UOW's Research & Innovation website for information regarding the University's research activity, research strengths, scholarships and services. For specific information relating to research being undertaken within the Faculty of Law, Humanities and The Arts, visit the Faculty's research pages.

Course structure

(Current year structure - subject to change)

Course Learning Outcomes

Candidates graduating from the Master of Philosophy will be able to:

1. Demonstrate cognitive, technical and creative skills in a discipline area to plan and execute a substantial piece of research that makes a contribution to knowledge;
2. Demonstrate mastery of theoretical knowledge and critically reflect on, synthesise and evaluate complex information, problems, concepts, and theories;
3. Communicate a coherent and sustained argument, explaining and disseminating research results and conclusions to peers and to the community;
4. Apply advanced knowledge of research, research integrity, ethics and the rights and safety of others, to plan and execute a substantial piece of research with a high level of autonomy, accountability, adaptability and responsibility for personal outputs. 

Course Structure 

Master of Philosophy (Law)

The degree comprises a coursework component (24 credit points) and a research component (72 credit points). The coursework component will comprise subjects approved by the Head of Postgraduate Studies (HPS) and will provide students with training in the theories and methodologies which inform their research area.  This training includes theoretical perspectives as well as an introduction to research techniques and work towards a detailed proposal leading up to the thesis.

International candidates are required to complete RESH900 (Fundamentals for HDR Writing), unless waived by the HPS.

Candidates are required to successfully complete the coursework component of the MPhil. The thesis topic will be determined in consultation with supervisor/s and the HPS.

A transfer from the MPhil to the PhD may be possible after successful completion of the coursework component and at least nine months of the thesis component.

The following elective subject may be chosen:

^ This subject is only available to international students. For more information, visit the Work Integrated Learning website.

Master of Philosophy (Creative Arts)

The degree comprises a coursework component (24cp) and a research component (72cp) as listed below. For their research component, candidates will complete a thesis wholly by written thesis, or as a combination of creative work and a written thesis or exegesis.

International candidates are required to complete RESH900 (Fundamentals for HDR Writing) unless waived by the Head of Postgraduate Studies (HPS).

Candidates are required to successfully complete the coursework component of the MPhil.  The thesis topic will be determined in consultation with supervisor/s and the HPS.

A transfer from the MPhil to the PhD may be possible after successful completion of the coursework component and at least nine months of the thesis component.

Submission by Written Thesis Only

A submission for the Master of Philosophy (Creative Arts) by written thesis only will be in the range of 35,000 to 45,000 words in length.

Submission by Creative Work and Thesis or Exegesis

A thesis submission that includes a creative work will be accompanied by a written thesis or exegesis of approximately 15,000 words in length.  The thesis or exegesis will be substantially written, but may include other forms as a record or explication of the creative work (for example, music scores, photographs, video and sound recordings).

The creative work may be in a single discipline, involve multiple disciplines or explore new art/media forms for which there is no established disciplinary base.

The accompanying written component may take the form of:

     i.   A thesis making a scholarly argument related to the body of creative work; or

    ii.   An exegesis focusing on aspects such as origins of the work, structures and techniques used, and an analysis of artistic theories underpinning the work.

Plus the following elective subject may be chosen:

^ This subject is only available to international students. For more information, visit the Work Integrated Learning website.

PLEASE NOTE:  Not all subjects are offered at all locations, and subject and session offerings may change prior to the commencement of session.  Students are advised to check the latest information available on the Subject Database by clicking the subject codes above.

Master of Philosophy (Arts)

The degree comprises a coursework component (24cp) and a research component (72cp) as listed below.  The coursework component provides students with training in the theories and methodologies, which inform research in the humanities and social sciences.  This training includes theoretical perspectives as well as an introduction to research techniques and work towards a detailed proposal leading up to the thesis.  The Head of Postgraduate Studies (HPS) may accept other coursework subjects as equivalent to ARTS901.

Students entering from a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) or equivalent may apply for advanced standing for ARTS901. The thesis topic will be determined in consultation with supervisors and the HPS.

Candidates are required to successfully complete the coursework component of the MPhil.  Students who achieve a Pass result lower than 70% may be required to re-enrol in the coursework subjects before proceeding to the research thesis, or they may withdraw from the Master of Philosophy and enrol in a relevant Master by coursework degree, where they can apply for Advanced Standing for 24 credit points of coursework.

A transfer from the MPhil to the PhD may be possible after successful completion of the coursework component and at least nine months of the thesis component.

The following elective subject may be chosen:

^ This subject is only available to international students. For more information, visit the Work Integrated Learning website.

PLEASE NOTE:  Not all subjects are offered at all locations, and subject and session offerings may change prior to the commencement of session.  Students are advised to check the latest information available on the Subject Database by clicking the subject codes above.

Submission and Assessment

Candidates will submit their thesis wholly by written thesis, or a combination of creative work and a written thesis or exegesis.  Assessment for the Master of Philosophy thesis component is by two external assessors.  Assessment for coursework subjects is as advised in the relevant subject outline.

Rules and procedures for Higher Degrees by Research, including the regulations regarding preparation and submission of the thesis, are listed in the General Course Rules.  Candidates are urged to be familiar with both the General Course Rules and the Higher Degree Research Supervision and Resources Policy.  Current policy documents are located in the UOW Policy Directory.