Australian studies


The discipline

The discipline of Australian studies aims to create, interpret and analyse critical aspects of Australian society in order to promote understanding in, and involvement with, the national and international communities. Research strengths include fiction and non-fiction writing about Australia, biographical studies, urban and rural landscapes, tourism and heritage, civics and citizenship.
Staff supervise research masters and PhD candidates. Refer to the entries for PhD and research masters at the front of the Arts postgraduate section for course details. Also see entries for 'Communications', 'Publishing and editing', 'Cultural heritage' and 'Tourism'.
The coursework programs have produced high-quality students with appropriate skills for the tourism, museum, publishing and communications industries.
See also the entry for 'Humanities, communications and social sciences' (Gippsland campus).

Master of Arts in Australian Studies by coursework and research

General information

Course code: 0017 · Course fees: Local students - HECS; international students - $A12,000 pa · Coordinator: David Dunstan
The MA in Australian Studies by coursework and research is designed to give students the opportunity to pursue the study of Australian society and culture at an advanced level. Building on a basis provided by relevant interdisciplinary courses, students go on to develop and complete an appropriate research thesis. The MA in Australian Studies by coursework and research would usually be undertaken on a full-time basis over one-and-a-half years or part-time for three years.

Entry requirements

The minimum entry requirements are a four-year honours degree with a grade of H2A or above, or MQual with a research component with an overall grade of H2A or above, as well as a distinction or above in the research component, or qualifications which are judged to be equivalent.

Course structure

Students must complete two core subjects for a total of 24 points:

plus a 66 per cent thesis of 25,000 to 35,000 words.
Note that the minimum pass grade for subjects in the Master of Arts in Australian Studies is 60 C, that is, a grade of credit or above is required in every subject and for the thesis.

Master of Arts in Australian Studies by coursework

General information

Course code: 0017 · Course fees: Local students - HECS; international students - $A12,000 · Coordinator: David Dunstan
The MA in Australian Studies by coursework is designed to introduce students to the study of Australian society and culture at an advanced level. It draws on a combination of interdisciplinary courses and others which are centred in a particular discipline. The common ground is the preoccupation with Australian values and identity. The MA in Australian Studies by coursework would usually be undertaken on a full-time basis over one year or part-time for two years.

Entry requirements

Students who have an honours degree with a grade of H2B or above, or a degree or graduate diploma which is considered to be equivalent, or an MQual with grades of credit average or above may be admitted to the course.

Course structure

Candidates choose four 12-point subjects to the value of 48 points. Students are required to enrol in two core subjects:

and two other subjects chosen from the following list of electives:

The above electives are not offered every year and students should check the relevant school/departmental listings. Other appropriate subjects may be taken with the approval of the school graduate coordinator and the faculty.
Note that the minimum pass grade for subjects in the Master of Arts in Australian Studies by coursework is 60 C, that is, a grade of credit or above is required in every subject.