Program Overview

Master of Philosophy

The Master of Philosophy (MPhil) degree is an internationally-recognised Master's (by research) degree. It is designed for students to develop advanced skills in carrying out independent and sustained research. It culminates in a thesis of up to 50,000 words or its practice-based equivalent.

Overview

• Award: Master of Philosophy
• Start dates: Anytime (2026)
• Duration: 2 years full-time or part-time equivalent
• Learning mode: Research Training

About the Master of Philosophy

The Master of Philosophy degree is designed for students to develop advanced skills in carrying out independent and sustained research. Each candidate undertakes a piece of independent and sustained research on a topic under academic supervision and leading to the submission of a thesis for examination.

Academic Entry Requirement

• The minimum academic requirement for entry to a Master of Philosophy at La Trobe University is a four-year Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline completed within the last ten years with a weighted average mark of 70 or above (H2A or above) for the Honours year.
• Where an applicant does not meet the normal academic entry requirements, an application may be made for admission on equity or alternative entry grounds.

Pathways

There are currently no alternative Pathway courses for this course.

What You'll Study

• A range of work-based learning opportunities are available, including internships, mentoring, and industry-linked projects.
• Internships: candidates who have successfully confirmed their candidature and who are making satisfactory progress may apply to participate in an internship at least one month before they submit their thesis.

Master of Philosophy Course and Career Outcomes

• Mastery of theoretical knowledge and ability to reflect critically on theory and its application.
• Ability to analyse and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories and apply to established theories from different bodies of knowledge or practice.
• Ability to generate and assess complex ideas and concepts at an abstract level.
• Ability to design, use and evaluate research and research methods.
• Advanced communication and technical skills to present coherent arguments and disseminate research findings to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Fees and Scholarships

• Australian and New Zealand citizens and Australian permanent residents do not usually pay tuition fees for graduate research degrees, as the fees are covered by the Australian Government's Research Training Program (RTP).
• Scholarships:
  • Dennis McDermott Research Scholarships
  • La Trobe Flexible Research Scholarship (FLEX) - candidates with disabilities
  • Graduate Research PhD Project Scholarships
  • La Trobe University - Sheffield Hallam University Joint PhD Program Scholarship
  • La Trobe University - IIT Kanpur Joint PhD Program Scholarship
  • La Trobe University - University of Bayreuth Joint PhD Program Scholarship
  • Victorian Maternal and Child Health Nursing Scholarship
  • Return of Native Title Materials PhD Scholarship
  • Creating Safer Sport Communities PhD Scholarship
  • Transforming early autism screening with multimodal AI

How to Apply

Applications for domestic students for courses commencing in 2026 open in August 2025. International students can apply all year round.

Similar Courses

• Doctor of Clinical Science (Professional Doctorate)
• Doctor of Education (Professional Doctorate)
• Doctor of Laws
• Doctor of Letters
• Doctor of Midwifery (Professional Doctorate)
• Doctor of Nursing (Professional Doctorate)
• Doctor of Philosophy
• Doctor of Public Health (Professional Doctorate)
• Doctor of Science
• Doctor of Social Work (Professional Doctorate)
• Master of Arts
• Master of Business (Research)
• Master of Education (Research)
• Master of Engineering (Research)
• Master of Laws (Research)
• Master of Nursing (Research)
• Master of Psychological Science (Research)
• Master of Science
• Master of Social Work (Research)