Duration of the MPhil is 18 months to 2 years full time equivalent. Candidates must successfully complete a 6 month probation period.
Entry requirements
Undergraduate and postgraduate coursework degree with at least an 75 percent average in the proposed field of study from a recognised university or its equivalent with a distinction average.
Other factors taken into consideration when assessing a research application are the quality of the research proposal, previous performance in a thesis program if applicable, and the availability of a supervisor within the Business School.
Notes:
When assessing academic qualifications greater weight is placed on the most recent qualification that is relevant to the proposed field of study.
If a prospective applicant does not have a degree in the proposed field of study but meets the grade requirements above then a statement outlining how their degree qualification is relevant to the discipline and the proposed research topic should be provided at the EOI stage. The statement should be up two pages long.
Coursework requirements for the MPhil
All MPhil candidates must complete three units of study which includes the core unit, BUSS7901 Research Design. All candidates must complete at least one qualitative methods and one quantitative methods unit of study. For details of available units of study, refer to the Postgraduate Research - Units of study section.
Research Thesis Proposal Defence
All candidates must formally defend their research thesis proposal within 10 to 14 months of commencement (full time equivalent). The goal is to ensure that the proposed research is worthwhile, meaningful, viable and feasible, and can be completed within the timeframe given the resource constraints of the program.
Upgrading from the MPhil to the PhD
Upgrading to the PhD program from the MPhil is not automatic. A request to upgrade will be based on successful completion of:
the probationary period
three units of study, including the core unit, BUSS7901 Research Design
Thesis Proposal Defence
Annual Progress Reviews - Progress must be satisfactory.
Candidates require approval from their supervisor, Postgraduate Research Coordinator and the Director of Doctoral Studies. Note: there is no guarantee that an application to upgrade will be successful.
The time spent in the MPhil degree will be credited toward the PhD.
Candidature in the MPhil is governed by the policies and regulations in place at the date of initial enrolment. If, at a later date, a candidate chooses to upgrade to a PhD, the policies and regulations in place at the date of initial enrolment in the PhD will govern the remainder of the candidature.
Further enquiries and information
Research Unit – Research Student Administration Room 231 Storie Dixon Building, H10 The University of Sydney Business School The University of Sydney, NSW 2006
These resolutions must be read in conjunction with applicable University By-laws, Rules and policies including (but not limited to) the University of Sydney (Coursework) Rule 2014 (the 'Coursework Rule'), the Coursework Policy 2014, the Resolutions of the Faculty, the University of Sydney (Student Appeals against Academic Decisions) Rule 2006 (as amended) and the Academic Board policies on Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism. Up to date versions of all such documents are available from the Policy Register: http://www.sydney.edu.au/policies.
Course resolutions
Part 1: Preliminary
1 Course codes
Code
Course and stream title
RMPHLBUS-01
Master of Philosophy
Part 2: Admission requirements
2 Eligibility for admission to candidature
(1)
To be eligible to be admitted to candidature by the Dean or Associate Dean, an applicant must:
(a)
hold or have completed the requirements for a bachelor's degree from the University of Sydney, with first class honours or second class honours, first division, in the area of study in which the applicant wishes to undertake the degree; or
(b)
hold both an undergraduate and postgraduate degree from a recognised University, with at least an 80% average in the area of study in which the applicant wishes to undertake research.
(2)
The Dean or Associate Dean may admit to candidature an applicant who does not meet the requirements of sub-clause (1), provided that the applicant holds a qualification or qualifications that, in the opinion of the School's Research Unit Committee are equivalent to those prescribed in sub-clause (1).
3 Application for admission to candidature
(1)
An applicant for admission to candidature must submit to the School:
(a)
satisfactory evidence of the applicant's eligibility for admission;
(b)
a research proposal detailing the proposed area of research, the techniques to be used, data sources and bibliography;
(c)
demonstration of research potential either by publication, previous work experience, related coursework or other eligible means;
(d)
two academic referees reports; and
(e)
a statement certifying the applicant's understanding that, subject to the HDR Rule, if the candidature is successful, his or her thesis will be lodged with the University Librarian and made available for immediate public use.
(2)
In addition, an applicant for admission to part-time candidature must submit a statement that he or she will have sufficient time available to complete the requirements of the degree in accordance with these resolutions.
4 Credit transfer
0.
The HDR Rule specifies the conditions for the granting of credit for previous studies, including the effect on completion times.
Part 3: Candidature
5 Appointment of supervisor
0.
The Head of Department will appoint a supervisor and associate supervisor for each candidate in accordance with the HDR Rule and Academic Board policies for postgraduate research higher degree supervision.
6 Control of candidature
0.
The HDR Rule specifies the conditions for the control of candidature by the University.
7 Location of candidature and attendance
0.
The HDR Rule specifies the conditions for the location of candidature and attendance by candidates at the University.
Part 4: Requirements
8 Subject areas
(1)
The degree is offered in the following subject areas:
(a)
Accounting
(b)
Business Law
(c)
Business Information Systems
(d)
Finance
(e)
International Business
(f)
Marketing
(g)
Operations Management and Decision Sciences
(h)
Transport and Logistics Studies
(i)
Work and Organisational Studies
9 Degree requirements
(1)
To satisfy the requirements of the degree candidates must:
(a)
complete any specified probationary requirements;
(b)
complete any prescribed units of study;
(c)
conduct research on the approved topic; and
(d)
write a thesis embodying the results of the research.
10 The thesis
(1)
A candidate shall produce a thesis that meets the requirements specified in the HDR Rule.
(2)
The thesis will be up to 50,000 words in length.
Part 5: Enrolment and progression
11 Probation
(1)
A candidate is normally accepted for candidature on a probationary basis for a period not exceeding six months according to the provisions of the HDR Rule.
(2)
In the probationary period each candidate must:
(a)
complete the School's research induction program; and
(b)
maintain progression to the satisfaction of the supervisor and Head of Department.
12 Time limits, earliest and latest submission dates
0.
The HDR Rule specifies the allowable completion times and submission dates available for full- and part-time candidates in this course.
13 Mode of attendance
0.
The attendance pattern for this course is full-time or part-time according to candidate choice. Visa requirements commonly restrict international students to full-time study only.
14 Discontinuation of candidature
0.
A candidate may discontinue enrolment in a unit of study or the degree subject to the conditions specified by the HDR Rule.
15 Suspension of candidature
0.
A candidate may suspend enrolment from the degree subject to the conditions specified by the HDR Rule.
16 Leave of absence
0.
A candidate may take leave of absence from the degree subject to the conditions specified by the HDR Rule.
17 Progress
0.
A candidate is required to maintain satisfactory progress towards the timely completion of the degree. Progress will be reviewed annually according to the provisions of the HDR Rule.
Part 6: Examination
18 Examination of the thesis
(1)
Examination of the thesis will be conducted in general accordance with standards prescribed by Academic Board for the Doctor of Philosophy, except that:
(a)
three copies of the thesis shall be submitted by the candidate;
(b)
two examiners will be appointed by the School, at least one of whom shall be external to the University; and
(c)
the School's Research Unit Committee will act in place of the PhD Award Sub-Committee.
(2)
The thesis will be graded by the examiners and a 'Thesis grade' will be recorded on the academic transcript.
(3)
In addition to the copy provided to the library, one copy of the final, approved thesis shall be bound in hard copy and provided to the School.
19 Award of the degree
0.
The degree is awarded at the Pass level only.
Part 7: Other
20 Transitional provisions
(1)
These course resolutions apply to students who commenced their candidature after 1 January, 2012 and students who commenced their candidature prior to 1 January, 2012 who elect to proceed under these resolutions.
(2)
Candidates who commenced prior to 1 January, 2012 may complete the requirements in accordance with the resolutions in force at the time of their commencement, provided that requirements are completed within the time limits specified in those resolutions. The Dean or Associate Dean may specify a later date for completion or specify alternative requirements for completion of candidatures that extend beyond this time.