Master of Philosophy
Course overview
The degree of Master of Philosophy is a research degree awarded for a thesis considered to be a substantially original contribution to the subject concerned. Some coursework is likely to be required especially in the first year of the degree and for those who do not already hold an honours degree.
Applicants should normally hold a bachelor's degree with at least a credit grade in the senior level unit(s) of study relevant to the proposed area of research or an equivalent qualification from another university or institution.
The degree may be taken on either a full-time or part-time basis. The first full year of candidature is normally on probation.
In the case of full-time candidates, the minimum period of candidature is 1.5 years and the maximum period of candidature is 2 years.
Part-time candidature may be approved for applicants who can demonstrate that they are engaged in an occupation or other activity which leaves them substantially free to pursue their candidature for the degree. They should be able to devote at least 20 hours per week to candidature or an equivalent annual period made up in blocks.
The minimum period of candidature for part-time candidates will be 3 years and the maximum period of candidature is 4 years, although it should be noted that the maximum is dependent on the proportion of full-time and part-time enrolment.
Master of Philosophy
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), the Academic Honesty in Coursework Policy 2015 and the Academic Honesty Procedures 2016. Up to date versions of all such documents are available from the Policy Register: http://sydney.edu.au/policies.
Part 2: Admission requirements
2 Eligibility for admission to candidature
(1)
Subject to sub-clause (2) and (3) , to be eligible for admission by a Dean or Associate Dean to candidature for the Master of Philosophy, an applicant must hold or have completed all the academic requirements, in a subject area related to the proposed course of advanced study and research, for a University of Sydney:
(c)
Bachelor’s degree with a result of at least a Credit grade in the senior level unit(s) of study relevant to the proposed area of research.
(2)
A 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 Faculty Postgraduate Research Committee are equivalent to those prescribed in sub-clause (1).
(3)
The Dean or Associate Dean may impose on a student admitted to candidature pursuant to sub-clause (2) such conditions as the Dean or Associate Dean considers appropriate.
3 Application for admission to candidature
(a)
a proposed course of advanced study and research approved by the Head of Department, in which the work is to be undertaken;
(c)
a statement certifying the applicant’s understanding that, subject to the HDR Rule and Academic
Board policies and procedures for Higher Degrees by Research, if the candidature is successful, their thesis will be lodged with the University Librarian and made available for immediate public use.
4 Credit transfer
Part 3: Candidature
5 Control of candidature
6 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 and procedures for Higher Degrees by Research.
7 Other studies during candidature
(1)
Each student will complete a Training Needs Analysis no later than the end of the first research period of their enrolment.
(2)
The Head of Department may from time to time require a student to attend, undertake or complete assessment for lectures, seminars, courses or practical work during the course of the candidature, in accordance with the HDR Rule. This may include enrolment in units of study. These requirements will be informed by the Training Needs Analysis
8 Location of candidature and attendance
Part 4: Enrolment and progression
9 Probation
0.
A candidate is normally accepted for candidature on a probationary basis for a period not exceeding one year according to the provisions of the HDR Rule.
10 Time limits, earliest and latest submission dates
(1)
A full time student may not submit a thesis for examination earlier than the end of three semesters (HDR Rule) of enrolled candidature and a student who has undertaken all of their candidature on a part-time basis must not submit their thesis for examination earlier than the end of the third year of enrolled candidature.
(2)
Where a student has undertaken their candidature as a mixture of part-time candidature and full-time candidature, a part-time semester will be counted as the equivalent of one half of a full-time semester, and the student must not submit their thesis for examination earlier than the end of one and a half equivalent full-time years of enrolled candidature.
(3)
The HDR Rule specifies the latest completion times and submission dates for full- and part-time candidates in this course. The latest date for submission of thesis is normally the end of the fourth full-time semester of enrolment (or equivalent).
11 Mode of attendance
12 Discontinuation of candidature
0.
A candidate may discontinue enrolment in the degree subject to the conditions specified by the HDR Rule.
13 Suspension of candidature
0.
A candidate may suspend enrolment from the degree subject to the conditions specified by the HDR Rule.
14 Leave of absence
0.
A candidate may take leave of absence from the degree subject to the conditions specified by the HDR Rule.
15 Progress
0.
A candidate is required to maintain and demonstrate satisfactory progress towards the timely completion of the degree. Progress will be reviewed at intervals no longer than one year according to the provisions of the HDR Rule and Academic Board policies and procedures for Higher Degrees by Research.
Part 5: Requirements
16 Degree requirements
(b)
Satisfactorily complete any prescribed units of study, or other studies, as required by the Head of Department. Completion is defined as demonstrating a level of knowledge or competency of skills appropriate and essential for satisfactory progress of the research project;
(d)
submit a document embodying the results of the research as a thesis that passes the examination.
17 The thesis
Part 6: Examination
18 Examination of the thesis
(1)
Examination of the thesis will be conducted in accordance with relevant Academic Board policies and procedures for Higher Degrees by Research.