Master of Philosophy

The Master of Philosophy (MPhil) is an internationally recognised, stand-alone degree that enables students to develop advanced skills in independent and sustained research for the advancement of learning and/or professional practice. The thesis should demonstrate a critical application of specialist knowledge and make an independent contribution to existing scholarship in the area of research. 

Delivered within Avondale University’s Christian education framework, the degree helps students develop ethical scholarship and attitudes that are conducive to personal and collective involvement.  

Research specialisations can be in the areas of Education, Arts, Nursing, Ministry and Theology.  

The MPhil degree facilitates students' independent learning and prepares them for continuing professional development by enhancing their transferable skills, research techniques and application through various activities which will:

• Enable appropriate evidence of advanced knowledge about a specialist body of theoretical and/or applied topics; 
• Encourage a high order of skill in analysis, and critical evaluation through the planning and execution of a piece of scholarship or research; and 
• Assist creativity and flexibility in the application of knowledge and skills to new situations, to solve complex problems and to think rigorously and independently.  

PERSONALISED SUPPORT
As a MPhil student you will benefit from online support by your supervisor(s) for specific methodological approaches. In addition, the staff development unit provides research students with support for specific issues, such as writing or statistics. 

 

MPhil graduates can apply for entry to Avondale’s doctoral program. Graduates of an undergraduate Honours degree may also be eligible for doctoral studies, subject to the same entry and achievement requirements. A MPhil student may also be able to upgrade to a PhD course pending evaluation by a confirmation panel that the quality of the student’s work is of high enough standard and the research project has the capacity to be developed into a PhD study.

Master of Philosophy (MPhil) candidates commence their course at the beginning of semester one or two but can apply at any time of the year. Student Administration Services coordinate MPhil applications via Avondale's Research Office.

GENERAL ADMISSION CRITERIA

To qualify for admission, you must have completed:

• An Australian Qualifications Framework AQF Level 7 Bachelor's degree, with a minimum overall GPA of 5 on a 7-point scale, from an accredited university or higher education provider; or
• An Australian Qualifications Framework AQF Level 7 Bachelor's degree, with a WAM score of 65 or over, from an accredited university or higher education provider; or
• An Australian Qualifications Framework AQF Level 9 Master's by coursework degree, with a minimum WAM score of 65 or a minimum credit level average (65% and above), from an accredited university or higher education provider; or
• An overseas qualification with the minimum GPA or WAM scores, comparable to an Australian Qualifications Framework AQF Level 7 or higher

SPECIFIC ADMISSION CRITERIA

The following are the specific criteria for admission:

• Provide certified colour copies of transcripts from relevant previous qualifications, in original language and official English translations (if applicable), including explanations of grades (often provided on the back of transcript documents); and
• A brief research proposal (max. 500 words) outlining the proposed research field you intend to pursue (include the topic, research questions, purpose, background, rationale, theoretical framework (if known), timeframe, methodology, references)

Acceptance into the MPhil degree is dependent on:

Your qualifications and experience;

Your ability to communicate and write in English;

The quality and feasibility of your research proposal;

The availability of appropriate supervision; and

The availability of appropriate infrastructure and financial resources.

The Director of Higher Degree Research may conduct a formal interview to determine your capacity to meet the above requirements.

POST ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

MPhil candidates may need clearances in contexts where they are conducting research during their candidature. For example:

• A Criminal Record Check and Working with Children Check if you plan research that involves children or vulnerable people
• Government health department vaccinations from the area in which the research would be conducted

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS

International applicants must meet the Australian Government's visa requirements to reside in Australia while undertaking postgraduate studies at Avondale University.

For more information, visit https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-finder/study

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

International applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency in one of the following ways:

• Provide documentary evidence of at least two years of tertiary study conducted and assessed in English in a recognised country^ and completed within the last two years
• Demonstrate English language proficiency by achieving a minimum IELTS score of 7.0 overall with no sub-band below 7.0

^Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom or the United States of America

Course duration: 1-2 years full-time/ 2-4 years part-time

Minimum time to complete: 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time

Timely (expected) completion: 1.5 years full-time, 3 years part-time

Maximum time to complete: 2 years full-time, 4 years part-time

Study mode: On-campus or distance/online available

 

On-campus attendance is not required and there are no timetabled classes. Candidates typically meet with their supervisors online but may attend on-campus meetings with their supervisors from time to time, depending on the availability and location of the candidate and their supervisors.

MPhil candidates may begin their studies at the beginning of Research Semester 1 (mid January) or the beginning of Research Semester 2 (early July) within any given academic calendar year. Application for each semester closes a number of months before the beginning of each semester. Applicants do not need to approach supervisors before they submit their applications.

Core structure of the MPhil course:

1. MPHL61000 Master of Philosophy Thesis
2. MPHL62000 Master of Philosophy Thesis – Under Examination

Milestones

 

• Length of candidature: Must complete within minimum and maximum candidature periods of full-time study, or part time equivalent.
• All units: Must complete all units in the MPhil course.
• Early Candidature Plan: Candidates will meet with their supervisors to complete an Early Candidature Plan when they have been enrolled for three months.
• Confirmation: Candidates are expected to complete the confirmation process within 6 months of their full-time enrolment, or within 12 months of their part-time enrolment.
• Ethics application: If required (check with your supervisor/s), candidates must prepare an ethics application form which is submitted to Avondale’s Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) for review and approval. Not all research projects require approval from the HREC.
• Publication plan: Candidates are encouraged to publish throughout their degree. Publication of an article during the candidature period is encouraged, but is not a condition of graduation; however, a viable publication submission plan is a minimum requirement that should be developed before graduation. Co-authorship with the candidate’s supervisor/s is positively encouraged and the rules of co-authorship must be clarified and discussed early in their candidature so that candidates are fully informed. The Publication Plan will be managed through the regular Progress Reports. Guidance for how candidates can develop a Publication Plan is provided during the Supervisor and Research Training Program.
• Progress reports: Part-time candidates are typically required to submit progress reports once per year. Full-time candidates are typically required to submit progress reports twice per year. If special enrolment conditions have been set, part-time or full-time candidates may be required to submit additional progress reports.
• Final thesis: Towards the end of the candidate’s enrolment in the degree, a thesis of 40,000 to 50,000 words is submitted for examination by external examiners. The degree may be completed entirely by written thesis or by a combination of written thesis and creative and/or performance practice where the research is derived from creative and/or performance research areas. The type of thesis presented for examination must be approved by the confirmation panel.

 

 

Nature of learning

The MPhil is an entirely independent and sustained research degree leading to a thesis or combination of a written thesis and creative/performance practice. On-campus attendance is not required and there are no timetabled classes. Candidates typically meet with their supervisors online but may attend on-campus meetings with their supervisors from time to time, depending on the availability and location of the candidate and their supervisors. The candidate and appointed supervisors will negotiate the necessary workload commitments required by the candidate to complete the requirements within the stated timeframes.

However, on average, a full-time study load would require 28-40 hours of study per week, whereas a part-time study load would require 14-20 hours of study per week.

 

MPhil Thesis

In the final semester of the degree, the candidate submits a thesis (or equivalent exegesis, or publications) of 40,000-50,000 words.

To find out more about any of the units listed here, copy the unit code and then search for that unit here.

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The MPhil degree is accredited under Avondale’s self-accrediting authority, within the terms of the Level 9: Masters Degree (Research) in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), and is nationally registered with the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA). In 2021 Avondale was granted university status by TEQSA. 

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Prior to enrolment, applicants are required to disclose any conditions or history that may impact their capacity to successfully complete the MPhil degree.

Course Enquiries

Student Administration Services

Phone: +61 2 4980 2377
Email: [email protected]
Monday-Thursday, 9.00am-5pm
Friday, 9.00am-12.00noon