Cultural Studies: How to apply for Masters by research (local students)
Preliminary enquiries
We strongly encourage prospective Masters by research and PhD applicants to make contact with the School before submitting an application, in order to establish whether supervision is likely to be available in their proposed research field and to take advice on how best to formulate the research project description.
To do this, please send an email to the Research Coordinator with the following information:
- a brief biography and your full contact details
- some details about your educational background
- your draft research proposal
Research proposals
You are required to provide a preliminary research proposal of 2,500 words. This should outline, along with a brief introduction and conclusion:
- the specific area of your intended research,
- a brief summary of the key literature in this field,
- a sketch of the key research questions you hope to answer, and
- a description of the methodology required to conduct this research.
A comprehensive literature review is not required, but a short bibliography of key relevant works should be included.
This information is required for two purposes:
- it will assist the School selection committee to make a qualitative assessment amongst the many applications received for available places, and
- it will enable the School selection committee to ensure that appropriate expert supervision, as well as the resources necessary to facilitate your proposed research, are available.
Note that, as it is common for research proposals to go through an iterative process of development, this proposal is considered indicative, rather than binding in all details.
We will let you know if there is potential supervision available in the School and encourage you to apply formally. You do not need to confirm a supervisor for your work before you submit an application, but the application form provides an opportunity for you to name any staff member you have approached about supervision.
How to apply for Masters by research (local students)
General information about applying for Masters can be found on the Faculty of Arts Master of Arts by research page.
Please note that the School of Culture and Communication requires MA applicants to provide the following documentation in addition those specified in the application form:
- a research proposal, as detailed above
- two written academic references (these can be sent direct to the Arts and Music Student Centre by the referees; see contact information below)
- The references should assess your research abilities to date (skills in identifying research areas, carrying out independent research, motivation and organisation, writing skills, ability to meet deadlines etc), as well as your research potential and the potential of proposed project (if appropriate)
- a 5,000-word sample of recent work. This might be, for example, one or two chapters from an Honours thesis, or a recent essay or paper that you think demonstrates your research and writing abilities. Please provide a very brief explanation of the context, ie whether this is a chapter from your thesis, or a 4th year essay, or a paper writing in a particular context.
Ensure both the proposal and writing sample documents are labeled with your name, the School to which you are applying and date.
Note: Applicants for MA in Creative Writing please note that the writing sample must demonstrate both research-based critical writing and creative writing.
Note: If you recently completed your Honours year (or a Masters or a Postgraduate Diploma) in this School you do not need to provide references or a writing sample.
Deadline
There are two rounds of course applications:
- June 12 for second semester commencement and
- October 30 for admission in semester one.
There is only one round for scholarship applications – October 31.
Students need to apply for both the course and the scholarship separately.
Process
Apply online for the Masters by research course or download the Masters by research application form from the Faculty of Arts website.
Information on scholarships and the scholarship application process can be found on the Melbourne Scholarship Office website.
All PhD and Master of Arts by Research applications must be lodged with the Arts and Music Student Centre:
Arts Research,
Arts and Music Student Centre
Room 104, Ground Floor, Old Arts Building
The University of Melbourne
VIC 3010 [Campus & Local Area Maps]
Office hours:
9.00 am - 5.30 pm, Monday - Thursday.
9.00 am - 5.00 pm, Friday.
Tel: +61 3 8344 6395/+61 3 8344 5235
Fax: +61 3 9347 0424
Email: arts-research@unimelb.edu.au
Web: Arts Research
If you have any queries about the course application process, please contact the appropriate Research Administrator for your discipline:
Research Administrator
Ishara Wishart
Research Training Administrator:
English and Theatre Studies, Publishing, Cinema and Cultural Studies, Media and Communications & Australian Indigenous Studies.
Room 137, First Floor
Elisabeth Murdoch Building
Tel: +61 3 8344 3313
Fax: +61 3 8344 5563
Research Administrator
Jessica Rose
Graduate and Research Administrator:
Art History, Creative Writing and Visual Media
Room 135, First Floor
Elisabeth Murdoch Building
Tel: +61 3 8344 6870
Fax: +61 3 8344 5563
International students should visit the following page: How to apply for Masters by research (international students).