FAQs
Postgraduate study FAQs
Study options, flexibility and course duration
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Monash offers postgraduate studies ranging from graduate certificates (4 units); graduate diplomas (8 units); master’s by coursework (12 units); and master’s or PhD by research.
Browse all the graduate courses Monash has to offer.
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Monash offers a wide range of study options designed to fit your lifestyle. Depending on your course, you may be able to study part-time, online or in intensive mode (where entire units are completed over short periods of time, such as over the course of a week or weekend). Study modes are listed on individual course entries on our Find a course page.
Watch our explainer video on flexible study options.
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There are many benefits of completing graduate study, including:
- Higher earning potential*
- Invaluable network development
- Expanded career prospects: Whether you’re taking the next step in your career or changing your path entirely, upgrading your qualification will open up new opportunities.
- Lifelong skill sets that employers value: The nature of graduate study means that students learn transferable skills including adaptability, creative problem solving and collaboration. These skills can be applied to your career no matter what industry you’re in.
* 2023 QILT Graduate Outcome Survey
Watch our explainer video to discover where a Monash graduate degree can take you.
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Typically, the duration of a master’s degree by coursework is up to two years full-time depending on your previous learning or experience. For some courses, you might be eligible to fast track your masters and graduate within a year.
The duration of a research master’s degree and doctoral degree are generally up to four years.
Find out more about study durations.
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Full-time study load
As a full-time coursework student (eg. studying four six-credit-point-units in a standard semester), you'll need to commit to around 48 hours of study each week.Part-time study load
As a part-time student, the amount of study will depend on how many units you're doing. The study hours will generally be the same for all coursework units. They could be spent in class, outside class as independent study or by doing prescribed activities. For more information on the workload of each unit, have a look at the Monash Handbook. -
For some courses, depending on your educational background and work experience, you might be eligible to fast track your masters and graduate within a year.
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Although some courses may require a specific undergraduate degree or prerequisites for entry, there are many courses that do not require an undergraduate level qualification from the same discipline. For more information on this, please visit our Find a course page and refer to the entry requirements tab on the individual course pages.
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You can apply to study at Monash after studying at another university. We’ll take your academic results from your university studies into consideration when assessing your application for Monash. If you have partially completed a graduate qualification, you can even apply for credit for prior studies, which where eligible, could reduce the number of units required to complete your course of study at Monash.
For domestic applicants:
If you’re wanting to apply for credit for prior studies, you can inform us in your application to study at Monash. Just make sure you upload supporting documents as evidence of your studies (eg. a handbook or syllabus) – we might also ask you for more documents after you’ve submitted your application.If you’d like credit for previous study or experience, you can apply for a credit assessment.
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If you have completed any previous study, experience or other learning, you can be assessed for credit towards a course at Monash. For full details including how to make an application, visit our How to apply for credit page.
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Course maps help you to select units by providing a visual outline of the course structure with units and electives. See course maps.
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As unit timetables vary each semester, you will only be able to access the relevant timetable once you enrol via Allocate+.
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Every unit has a census date and as long as you withdraw by the date, there is no academic or financial penalty.
Applying to Monash
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If you’re looking to apply for a master's degree by coursework, you need to submit a direct application to Monash. For more information, visit our How to apply page.
When completing your application on my.app, you'll be able to indicate up to five course preferences.
If you’re eligible, you’ll receive one offer for your highest eligible preference.
If you wish to change the order of your preferences after submitting your application, email mu.documents@monash.edu and include your application number.
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Check the ‘Application and Fees’ section for application dates on our individual course pages. You can find a full list of courses on the Find a course page. Some Monash graduate study courses don’t list specific opening and closing dates. If there are no published dates, we recommend you submit your application as soon as possible for classes starting in the following semester. As a guide, applications will open on my.app for semester one in early August and for semester two in early January each year.
You can also view our Resources and support page for more information about key dates and timelines.
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If you’re looking to apply for a doctoral degree (PhD) or a master’s by research, there are a few steps you need to follow: check your eligibility, submit an expression of interest, and submit your application. Find out more on how to apply for a graduate research degree.
Entry requirements
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Generally, the minimum requirement is the completion of an Australian Bachelor degree (or equivalent) with the required score. See our Find a course page for a full list of Monash graduate courses and specific entry requirements.
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Every course has different entry requirements. Please visit our Find a course page and refer to the entry requirements tab on the individual course pages.
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Yes. All students must meet the minimum English requirements for all courses at Monash University. In my.app, you should confirm “Yes” under English proficiency if you completed at least six years of schooling in an English-speaking country before the age of 19, to ensure we can accept the appropriate measure of English proficiency.
I completed my secondary and tertiary studies in a non-English-speaking country and have been living and working in Australia for 10 years, but have not completed any other study in an English-speaking country. Do I need to provide proof of English proficiency?
Yes. You must provide evidence of English proficiency. The most common option is an academic English test (such as IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL) with the required score for your course.I completed my secondary studies in a non-English-speaking country, but completed my Bachelor’s degree in Australia six years ago and have been living and working here since. Do I need to provide proof of English proficiency?
Yes. There is a time limit for meeting the English requirement through prior studies completed in an English-speaking country. Since you completed your tertiary studies more than five years ago, you will need to provide evidence that you have been residing in Australia for the past three years. This can be a work reference letter or a statement from someone of standing in the community, such as a school principal, doctor, or lawyer, who can confirm this.
I completed my secondary studies in a non-English-speaking country, but completed my Master’s in New Zealand last year. Do I need to provide proof of English proficiency?
Upon submission of your academic documents and verifying your Masters qualification completed in New Zealand, English will have been met if completed in the last 5 years. Once your Masters is verified, no further evidence is needed.
I completed my qualification overseas, however, I hold a valid professional registration with AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency). Do I need to provide proof of English proficiency?
Provided you hold current valid professional registration with AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) and are applying for a Faculty of Medicine Nursing and Health Sciences, or Faculty of Education course you will be considered to have met minimum English requirements.
Scholarships, fees and assistance
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There are limited Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) for graduate courses at Monash. This is usually indicated on the individual course pages under the ‘Application and Fees’ section. You can browse a full list of graduate courses via our Find a course page.
If the CSP option is not available on MY.APP (when it's indicated that it's offered on the course page), we recommend that you apply for the full-fee option and a CSP may be allocated at a later date.
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Monash has a variety of scholarships that we offer to students. Browse our full range of scholarships for graduate students.
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As a domestic student, when you study at a university in Australia you may be eligible for government-funded loans and assistance.
Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
Check the Find a course page for your course entry. You’ll find whether or not the course offers CSPs under the 'Applications and Fees' section on the individual course pages. Find out more about CSPs.FEE-HELP loans
If you’re not offered a CSP, you’ll pay the full fee for your course to Monash. Many students are eligible for FEE-HELP from the government to help cover the costs of their full fee-paying graduate (non-research) award courses. Find out more about FEE-HELP loans.Income support for master's programs
If you're enrolled in an approved master's by coursework program you may be eligible to receive income support, such as Youth Allowance, Austudy, or a Pensioner Education Supplement. Find out more about income support for master's courses. -
Join us at one of our upcoming graduate events. This is the perfect opportunity to hear from faculty representatives, academics or current graduate students.
If you’re unable to attend, you can also visit the Career Connect website for a wide range of resources or book a 1:1 appointment with a course adviser.
Eligible alumni who have completed their undergraduate degree at Monash will receive a 10% discount on a wide range of graduate courses in 2025.
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Alumni who have completed their undergraduate degree at Monash may be eligible for a 10% discount on a wide range of graduate courses in 2025.*
If you’re interested in finding out your graduate study options, join us at one of our upcoming graduate events. This is the perfect opportunity to hear from faculty representatives, academics or current graduate students.
You can also book a 1:1 appointment with a course adviser.
*Alumni discount is not offered for all courses
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