Course summary
The Master of Philosophy (Creative Arts) is a flexible course that provides a bridge towards doctoral level study and the opportunity to immerse yourself in a significant research project.
The degree is designed for experienced creative arts practitioners or undergraduate creative arts students who wish to extend their creative skills within a scholarly context. Students may pursue purely scholarly research or a combination of creative and scholarly research.
Research strengths in creative arts include music, theatre, performance, creative writing, visual arts, digital media and design. Applications from all these disciplines are encouraged, as well as any projects working in interdisciplinary forms.
The degree comprises 24 credit points of coursework and a 72-credit point thesis. Credit 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 words. 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; or
- a dissertation (approximately 15,000 words) that makes a scholarly argument linked to, but not dependent on, the body of creative work.
Details on the additional supporting information that must be included with your application can be found on the HDR Application Information page.
For information regarding the University's research activity, research strengths, scholarships and services, visit UOW's Research and Innovation website. For specific information relating to research being undertaken within the Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, visit the Faculty's research pages.
Course information
Study area
Communications & Media, Creative Arts, Research
Campus
Wollongong
Course Code
1355
-
Duration
2 years full-time or part-time equivalent
Delivery
On Campus
Cricos
098261B
UAC Code
-
Admission, Key dates, and Fees
A range of admission options are available for students of all ages and academic backgrounds. The procedures governing admission are defined in UOW's Admissions Procedures, and the UOW College Admissions Policy.
For any specific advice or questions regarding an application, please contact the Future Students Team.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Honours degree with 2nd class Division 2 or higher, coursework Masters with WAM 60+ or GPA of 2.8 out of 4.
Supporting Information
Higher Degree Research applicants must provide supporting material with their application. Please refer to the Future Students: Postgraduate website for detailed information.
FEES
CAMPUS | DELIVERY METHOD | SESSION FEE* | COURSE FEE* |
|---|---|---|---|
Wollongong | On Campus | $15,288 (2025) | $61,152 (2025) |
Most postgraduate research degrees are covered by the Federal Government's Research Training Program (RTP).
If you receive an offer with an RTP place, you do not need to pay the cost of tuition while you are studying as long as you are within your time limits for course completion.
* Session fees are for one session for the year shown. Total course tuition fees shown are indicative, and are based on normal course length and progression.
These fees are subject to change from year to year. However, if you receive an offer to study at UOW, your fees will be fully confirmed at the time of your offer.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Honours degree with 2nd class Division 2 or higher, coursework Masters with WAM 60+ or GPA of 2.8 out of 4.
Supporting Information
Higher Degree Research applicants must provide supporting material with their application. Please refer to the Future Students: Postgraduate website for detailed information.
ENGLISH REQUIREMENTS
The following level of English is required to gain admission to this program:
| English Test |
Overall Score |
Reading |
Writing |
Listening |
Speaking |
| IELTS Academic |
7.0 |
6.5 |
6.5 |
6.5 |
6.5 |
| TOEFL (Internet-based) |
98 |
22 |
22 |
19 |
19 |
UOW College: English for Tertiary Studies: Distinction (weighted average mark of 75 overall and minimum 50 in Academic Reading and Writing)
Other qualifications may also be considered. Full details can be found on our English Language Requirements website.
FEES
Tuition fees are reviewed annually: fees payable are dependent on the year of commencement and are subject to increase during the period of study.
Additional Fees:
In addition to tuition, there are other fees and costs you will need to consider, including but not limited to:
For more details on fees and other costs, please visit Fees and Assistance.
CAMPUS | DELIVERY METHOD | SESSION FEE* | COURSE FEE* |
|---|---|---|---|
Wollongong | On Campus | $16,512 (2025) | $66,048 (2025) |
* Session fees are for one session for the year shown. Total course tuition fees shown are indicative, and are based on normal course length and progression.
These fees are subject to change from year to year. The fees outlined in your Letter of Offer of Admission to the University are correct at the point of offer, but are indicative and subject to change without notice. The indicative total course tuition fee is an estimate, based on normal course length and progression and current course fees.
Admission Profile
INDICATIVE ENROLMENT
STUDENT PROFILE
This table shows the breakdown of the applicant background of the student group at UOW for this course. It provides data on students that commenced undergraduate study and continued study beyond the census date at UOW in 2023.
Applicant background |
2023 intake |
2023 intake (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Higher education study Students who have studied a University course, or completed a bridging or enabling course. |
- |
- |
| Vocational education & training study Students who have undertaken vocational education or training since leaving school. |
- |
- |
| Work & life experience Students admitted on the basis of previous achievement other than higher education study, vocational education & training, or recent secondary education. |
- |
- |
|
Recent secondary education |
||
| ATAR Only Students admitted only on the basis of ATAR including any applied adjustment factors. |
- |
- |
| ATAR plus additional criteria Students who were admitted on the basis of both ATAR and additional criteria (e.g. an audition or individual subject results). |
- |
- |
| Other criteria only (non-ATAR) These students were admitted on the basis of other criteria where ATAR was not a factor (e.g. UOW Early Admission). |
- |
- |
| International students All other students. |
- |
- |
| All students |
- |
- |
N/A: Data not available for this item
N/P: Not published (hidden to prevent calculation of other numbers less than 5)
ATAR PROFILE
This table relates to all students selected on the basis of ATAR alone or ATAR in combination with adjustment factors. For more information on adjustment factors commonly available to applicants, see ‘ATAR-based admission’.
|
ATAR profile of ATAR-based offers in 2023 |
ATAR The unadjusted, raw ATARs for students offered a place wholly or partly on the basis of ATAR. | Selection Rank The ATARs of the same student group, including the impact of adjustment factors. |
|---|---|---|
| Highest rank to receive an offer |
- |
- |
| Median rank to receive an offer |
- |
- |
| Lowest rank to receive an offer |
- |
- |
N/A: Data not available for this item
N/P: Not published (less than 5 ATAR-based offers made)
More Information
For more information about UOW admission pathways, see UOW Admission Information.
Key Dates
SESSION | CAMPUS | SESSION DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
2025 Autumn | Wollongong | Orientation: 26 February 2025 Applications Close |
2025 Spring | Wollongong | Orientation: 14 July 2025 Applications Close |
Course Structure
(Current year structure - subject to change)
Course HandbookWhy choose this course
As a creative arts student, you will have opportunities to work and study with artists and media practitioners in a vibrant research culture, with significant opportunity for interdisciplinary and cross-artform collaboration.
Our modern studios, performance spaces and galleries provide an inspiring work environment, showcasing the work of students as well as hosting Australian and international exhibitions and performances.
The Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities is internationally recognised for its excellence in humanities, social sciences, creative arts and law.
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