Part 3: Admission to candidature

Governance

The admission of applicants to the course Master of Science by research is controlled by the Research Degrees Committee on behalf of Faculty Board. Any admission decision taken by the Research Degrees Committee is subject to endorsement by Faculty Board.

If the Research Degrees Committee does not approve the application it is usually referred back to the head of school for further consideration. If the matter becomes one of dispute between the Research Degrees Committee and the head of school, Faculty Board will be requested to resolve the issue.

Where applicants have any concerns they should direct these to the Graduate Studies Officer in the first instance or the Associate Dean (Graduate Studies).

Reference to Handbook for Doctoral and Master of Philosophy Degrees

Please note that a number of these guidelines are based on those given in the Monash Research Graduate School Monash Research Graduate School Handbook for Doctoral and Master of Philosophy Degrees and that where the faculty's guidelines are incomplete reference will normally be sought from this source. Candidates should, however, direct any concerns that they may have to the Graduate Studies Officer in the first instance or the Associate Dean (Graduate Studies).

Recent graduates

An applicant who graduated within three years from the time of application should normally hold a class 1 (H1) or class 2A honours (H2A) degree in a relevant field. Normally applicants would have a Bachelor of Science (Honours) and have completed a major sequence and research project in the research field for which admission is sought.

Completion of Master of Science Preliminary

An applicant who has completed a relevant Master of Science Preliminary course at the equivalent of a class 1 (H1) or class 2A honours (H2A) grade will be considered on a similar basis to a class 1 (H1) or class 2A honours (H2A) applicant for Master of Science by research candidature.

Completion of Master of Science Preliminary with exit award of Postgraduate Diploma in Science

An applicant who has completed a relevant Master of Science Preliminary course and been awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Science (see 'Part 19: Award of degree') may not normally apply for admission to candidature for the degree of Master of Science by research within a period of less than 12 months unless Faculty Board otherwise determines in any particular case.

The research project undertaken as part of the Master of Science Preliminary program would normally be credited towards the Postgraduate Diploma in Science and may not be continued as part of the Master of Science by research program unless otherwise determined by Faculty Board.

Other applicants

For graduates with honours in a different field (not regarded as a suitable preparation for direct admission to their proposed graduate studies), or applicants applying more than three years after graduation, or a non-university graduate with a diploma or other qualifications, a period of research, industrial, teaching, or other relevant experience may qualify the applicant for admission to candidature, subject to a case successfully being made for H2A Equivalence. Documentary evidence must be provided in support of the relevant experience. In recommending acceptance of such a candidate the head of school should be satisfied that the candidate would not require an undue amount of supervision or be likely to make demands beyond the capacity of the school's resources.

Process for application

Admission to candidature is subject to the availability of facilities in the proposed field of research, and the availability and willingness of a member of the academic staff to supervise the candidate. Please note that an academic staff member may decline a request to be a supervisor of any applicant.

The procedure for application is as follows:

Australian citizens and permanent residents

Applications supported by certified evidence of prior qualifications, a research proposal, and any other supporting information should be made on the appropriate form available from the Faculty of Science website or the Graduate Studies Officer and submitted to the relevant head of school.

Applications supported by the head of school are then forwarded to the Faculty of Science office for consideration by the Research Degrees Committee. For local applicants the faculty will communicate the decision of the Research Degrees Committee to the applicant and to the school.

International applicants

Applications supported by certified evidence of prior qualifications, a research proposal and any other supporting information, including evidence of English language proficiency, should be made on the appropriate form and submitted to Monash University International Student Admissions office.

English language proficiency requirements are described in full on the Monash University International Student Admissions office. Applicants should undertake a test of English language ability where there are any doubts as to whether the requirements have been met.

The Monash University International Student Admissions office will then forward the application to the Faculty of Science office whose staff will consult with the appropriate school to ascertain whether or not the application can be supported at school level. Following this assessment by the school the Research Degrees Committee (on behalf of Faculty Board), will communicate the decision to the Monash University International Student Admissions office, who will then inform the applicant.