COURSEWORK, RESEARCH OR BOTH?

At ANU, graduate students may complete their program through coursework or research or a combination of coursework and research, depending on the specific program. The coursework and research components of any program are determined at a program level. To be certain about what your program requires, you must refer to the specific requirements of that program.

Graduate Coursework

Graduate coursework generally results in the awarding of a Master degree, a Graduate Diploma, or a Graduate Certificate. Each of these awards requires different standards and quantities of work. The major component of the program is attendance at lectures and tutorials, and submitting assessment items, such as essays and assignments. Some coursework programs may also involve a research component, where students work with the assistance of supervisors on a more substantial project, which involves the submission of a thesis as part of the assessment.

The Professional Doctorate is classified as a coursework degree, even though two thirds or more of the program may be research.

Graduate coursework programs provide you with the opportunity to:

• extend your knowledge in a field in which you have previously acquired expertise;
• move into a new academic field or professional area; or
• refresh your knowledge. 

Graduate Research

Students who want to undertake a program of graduate research study at ANU can do so through a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or a Master of Philosophy (Mphil). The major component of a research program is a substantial written work, known as a thesis, which investigates a particular subject or issue. A research student works more independently, but is under the direction of an academic supervisor or a supervisory panel of academic staff.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

PhD degrees normally take between two and four years full-time or up to eight years part-time. Students are generally required to submit a thesis of up to 100,000 words that makes a substantial contribution to the relevant scholarly literature and demonstrates how their research relates to their discipline. In some programs, PhD candidates are required to complete coursework as well as a thesis.

Master of Philosophy (MPhil)

MPhil degrees normally take between one and two years full-time to complete (candidates may also undertake the MPhil as part-time study). The thesis for an MPhil is normally limited to 60,000 words.