Master of Philosophy

Entry requirements

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible for Admission to the course applicants must evidence as per Section 5 of the Higher Degree Research Policy:

• An Australian undergraduate degree with Honours (Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF level 8) at a minimum level of Second Class Division A (Distinction average) or international equivalent; or
• A Masters degree by research (Distinction average) successfully completed in a relevant discipline or related field; or
• A Masters degree by coursework (Distinction average) with appropriate research training including a substantial component of original research, successfully completed in a relevant discipline or related field; or
• A qualification equivalent to AQF level 8 or 9 completed to at least distinction average with appropriate research training including a substantial component of original research in a relevant discipline or related field; or
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants with professional experience or cultural expertise in Indigenous Knowledges or kinship connections and who demonstrate capacity to undertake an independent research project on Indigenous Knowledges; or
• Other professional experience demonstrating research training equivalent to AQF level 8 or 9 and capacity to undertake an independent research project.

Meeting the eligibility requirements for admission is not in itself a guarantee of admission. The candidate's potential to undertake research, the quality and feasibility of the research proposal, the availability of appropriate supervision and the referee's reports will all be taken into consideration (refer to section 6 of the Higher Degree Research Policy).

International applicants need to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as published by the University (refer Appendix C of the Higher Degree Research Policy).

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2026 Admission.

If applicants have an overseas qualification/s from an institution where English is not the standard language of instruction, they will need to meet ACU's English proficiency requirements, e.g Academic IELTS 6.5 (including individual scores of 6.0 for all tests). Refer to Appendix C of the Higher Degree Research Policy.

The eligibility criteria for admission into the Master of Philosophy are stipulated in section 5 the Higher Degree Research Policy.