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Why Monash?
Monash courses explained

Monash courses explained

In our experience, different students want – and need – different things from a university. You may want to undertake a broad education before choosing a specific career; you may have difficulty deciding between two strong areas of interest (or want to keep both alive); or you may know exactly what you want to do career-wise and want to focus on that goal from day one.

Whichever category you fall into, Monash can help. We provide a variety of courses that lead to different professional outcomes and, in some cases, offer different courses that lead to the same career. Whatever route you take, you will graduate with an internationally recognised qualification and well prepared for your chosen career.

Monash University organises its undergraduate courses into two types: comprehensive and specialist.

Comprehensive courses

These courses allow you to select from a wide range of subjects within a broad field of study.

You can choose a Monash Comprehensive course in five broad fields: arts, business, commerce, information technology or science, and then customise your course to make it uniquely yours. You study a range of subjects from across the field broadening your knowledge to suit your personal needs while also deepening your knowledge of at least one subject that will become your major.

You have the option to choose your major immediately or later. You try a range of subjects in your first year at university, then narrow your focus in year two – while still having the opportunity to try new things – before finally committing to your major area of study. In some comprehensive courses, you will be required to complete a minor in a second subject.

At the end of your course you will have a sound understanding of your broad field of study with in depth expertise of at least one specialised field within it.

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Specialist courses

With a specialist course at Monash you begin study in your area of interest from day one. If you have a specific career goal or more specific field of study firmly in your sights, this may be the option for you. These courses are designed to ensure you have the right combination of skills needed for your professional field.

Some specialist courses prepare you to practise in a regulated profession such as law, physiotherapy, architecture, and engineering. Others – for example our undergraduate courses in fine art, biomedical science and pharmaceutical science – develop expertise relevant to a focussed field of study that may lead to a range of professional positions within that field.

All our four-year specialist courses lead to an honours degree, this means that you can develop a deeper knowledge in your chosen field and usually complete an expert master's degree in just one additional year.

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Double your options with a double degree

In a double-degree course, you study towards two degrees at the same time – for example commerce and engineering, or science and law – graduating with two separate qualifications. Studying towards two degrees at the same time allows you to keep your options open, to develop expertise in different but complementary areas, or simply to pursue two areas of interest in-depth.

A double undergraduate degree course at Monash will take two years less than if you completed the two degrees consecutively and makes you highly employable, distinguishing you in today's crowded job market through your combination of skills.

Monash offers one of the most extensive ranges of double degrees in Australia, with more than 140 double-degrees combinations across all major study fields.

Remember, though, that double degrees are not the only way to tailor your qualification to fit your diverse interests and talents. If you choose a comprehensive course, you can combine major and minor areas of study to prepare yourself for possible alternative careers. You can also use free electives in many courses to select minors or even majors from across the university to meet your particular needs.

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Honours and postgraduate qualifications

Every undergraduate Bachelor course – comprehensive or specialist – offers clear pathways into postgraduate qualifications.

Firstly, Monash offers two types of honours degree courses.

Unlike other universities, all our four-year specialist courses lead to an honours degree. This means that you can usually complete an expert master's degree in just one additional year. This could be immediately following your degree or after you have worked in your chosen field for a while. Some three-year courses also offer a four-year advanced-honours version that offer the same benefit.

In addition, Monash offers one year honours programs that can be studied after completing our three year comprehensive or specialist courses.

Secondly, even if you decide not to take an honours course, at the completion of your Bachelor degree course you can study an expert Masters course in your field of interest, it will take just a little longer (usually six months) than if you had an honours qualification.

You may also consider a postgraduate research qualification. Monash University is a world-leading research university and conducts ground-breaking research in many fields. After your honours year, you can undertake a research master's course, or work toward completing a PhD.

Online learning

In this changing world, our courses are embracing online learning. As a leading university, Monash can provide you with all the tools, support and resources you need to study online, on campus and everything in between as part of your course.

Online Learning

Monash courses explained

Monash University has a wide array of courses available to study, and multiple ways to help change your world.

How you choose to do so is up to you -- so, what are you interested in?

I’m interested in…

Undergraduate Study

An undergraduate degree is usually your first introduction to higher education, and helps set the foundation for a lifelong passion of learning.

We have undergraduate degrees available in a wide range of interest areas.

Monash is one of the country’s best universities for undergraduates, as you’ll gain access to world-class teaching and a diverse, welcoming community dedicated to solving big problems.

You’ll gain access to international exchanges, work training programs, volunteering, and research opportunities -- while our huge array of sporting clubs, social groups, and student associations means you’ll gain a rich experience outside the classroom.

In the classroom, you’ll get a world class internationally focused education with the flexibility to shape your learning to your needs.

Whether you’re after a more well-rounded education, seeking to earn a double degree, or you’re after a specialised degree, we have what you need.

Ready to jump in?

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Graduate and Research Courses

Take your learning to the next level with a graduate degree, which you can do through coursework or research.

Generally speaking, graduate study can take the form of a Graduate Certificate (4 units); Graduate Diploma (8 units); Master’s by coursework (12 units) or; a Master’s by PhD or research.

A Monash Graduate degree, no matter which course you take, will give you an edge in the employment market by boosting your leadership, entrepreneurial, and commercialisation skills.

You can find out more below, but if you want to talk to somebody from Monash about your options, get in touch here.

Coursework

This is great for students who may wish to study off-campus, as you’ll get the flexibility to organise your study how you want. You may be able to study part-time, online, through distance learning or after business hours.

We offer more than 200 courses, including:

Graduate certificates and diplomas
Masters by coursework
Masters by a combination of research and coursework

You can study full-time or part-time and often with an off-campus option.

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Research

If you’re ready to join Monash’s community of world-class researchers, we’ve got options for you.

We can offer a large range of research degrees, generous scholarships, expert supervision, world-class infrastructure and outstanding professional development.

The University offers a large range of higher research degrees, including:

PhD
Professional doctorate
Master of Philosophy
Masters by research
Masters by research and coursework

If you’re ready to find out more, you can get in touch with us below:

Research Enquiry

Comprehensive Courses

If you’re after a well-rounded university education, one of our comprehensive undergraduate courses is ideal.

You begin by choosing a course in one of five areas: Arts, Business, Commerce, Information Technology or Science.

Then, you begin by studying a broad range of subjects within your chosen area -- and you can choose your major immediately, or in year two.

A comprehensive course will give you eight out of 24 units across three years as elective study, which means you have the freedom to study your passion, while studying units from other faculties or turning a minor into a major.

It’s all up to you.

The exact shape of your degree will be up to you, but you’ll leave Monash with a great understanding of your broader area of expertise, with specialised knowledge in one particular area.

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Specialist Courses

Know what you want to study from day one? An undergraduate specialist course may be for you.

Ranging between three and five years, a specialist course zeroes in on a particular field of study so you can emerge into the job market at the top of your game.

In your first year, you’ll get a broader education in your field while getting a taste of your specialisation. From year two onward, you’ll zero-in on your particular specialisation.

Our specialist courses are great for practicing in a regulated field where specific certification is needed, such as law, physiotherapy, architecture, or engineering.

You can find out more about our specialist courses below:

If you undertake a specialist course with four years or more of study, you’ll graduate with an honours degree, a great platform into graduate study.

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Double Degrees

Our popular Double Degrees allow you to emerge with two undergraduate degrees, two years sooner than if you had studied them separately -- with Monash offering one of the most extensive ranges of double degrees in Australia.

You could combine an engineering degree with a science degree, for example, and stand out in the job market -- and that’s just one of 140 double-degree combinations we offer.

By studying two degrees at the same time, you’ll be able to keep your options open. You could pursue skills in two complementary areas, or pursue two areas of interest in-depth.

You can find out how they work below:

Ready to learn more?

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Professional Development

Gain Monash insight to further your career with one of our Professional Development options.

We have masterclasses and short courses available, all taught by world-leading academics with deep industry insight and connection -- all aligned to professional certification programs.

You can study in one of six areas:

Business and leadership
Medicine and healthcare
Education
Gender, family and society
Behaviour and psychology
Language, translating and interpreting

To find out more about your options to further your career, jump into our professional development courses.

Professional Development

Study at Monash

Study at Monash

Monash courses explained

Comprehensive courses

Specialist courses

Double your options with a double degree

Honours and postgraduate qualifications

Online learning

Monash courses explained

I’m interested in…

Undergraduate Study

Graduate and Research Courses

Coursework

Research

Comprehensive Courses

Specialist Courses

Double Degrees

Professional Development