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Master of Philosophy (MPhil)

Overview

The Australian National University provides our Master of Philosophy students with a vibrant research community and outstanding program support. When selecting a research program, an institution's reputation is everything. ANU is one of the world's leading universities, and the smart choice for your research program.

As an MPhil student you will work with increased independence, under the direction of a supervisory panel of experts in the field. Your research will make an original and important contribution to human knowledge, research and development.

Program details

The major component of a research program is a substantial written work known as a thesis, which investigates a particular subject or issue. As a research student, you will work with increased independence, under the direction of an academic supervisor or a supervisory panel of academic staff.

An MPhil will normally take you between 1-2 years to complete.

Key facts

  • Bachelor degree required
  • 2 years full-time
  • Access to state-of-the-art facilities
  • #1 in Australia for graduate employability (Times Higher Education)

Careers

Career options following the Master of Philosophy include many opportunities in addition to an academic path. 

The Australian National University has been ranked as the top university for graduate employability in Australia in the Global University Employability Ranking 2022. As a student at ANU, you gain access to the ANU CareerHub – an online career development and employability tool that includes a jobs board and careers resources. You also have access to drop-in chats with a career consultant and to attend our career fairs to meet potential employers.

Learning experience

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Industry engagement

Industry engagement is one of the best ways for an MPhil candidate to test their capabilities as a researcher, and to obtain transferable and professional skills.

Find out more
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Get out of the classroom

As Australia’s national university, we conduct research across the whole country. From Tennant Creek to Tasmania, from Cape Tribulation to Culcairn, ANU researchers contribute to our national scientific knowledge.

Explore our research locations
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Learn from the experts

Our researchers are working at the forefront of their fields, carrying out research that both advances our understanding of the world, and has real-world impact.

Browse our academic profiles

Fees & scholarships

Fees

Please visit the Programs and Courses website for information about fees.

View fees

Scholarships

Whether you are looking for financial support to start your studies at ANU or help to move away from home for the first time, we have scholarship opportunities for you and your situation.

How to apply

Understand the how to apply steps

Visit the domestic postgraduate research applications page to prepare for your application to ANU.

Domestic postgraduate research applications

Finding an academic supervisor

Prospective research students first need to identify a research project and find an academic supervisor.

Review the fields of research we offer and contact the academic convenor for advice about potential projects, supervisors, and the pre-application process. The ANU Researchers website is also a good place to start looking for a supervisor.

Email your academic supervisor directly to enquire about projects and supervision. Your email should outline the reason(s) why you are attracted to their field of research, the type of research you would like to pursue and a summary of your academic qualifications and research experience. You may also submit a short research proposal, however, this is not mandatory at this point.

The academic supervisor may contact you to discuss your research proposal and possibly other projects, or they may forward your email to other staff in the research school / centre.

Once an academic supervisor has been confirmed to support your application you may proceed to step three.

If you are not sure which area of research or supervisor matches your interest please complete an expression of interest and we will get in contact with you. Do not proceed to next step until advised.

View sample projects

Finding available scholarships

ANU Colleges and individual research schools offer a number of scholarships that are awarded on a merit basis. You can also talk to your academic supervisor about other sources of funding you might access to assist with living expenses and tuition fees.

Find scholarships

Understand the how to apply steps

Visit the international postgraduate research applications page to prepare for your application to ANU.

International postgraduate research applications

Finding an academic supervisor

Prospective research students first need to identify a research project and find an academic supervisor.

Review the fields of research we offer and contact the academic convenor for advice about potential projects, supervisors, and the pre-application process. The ANU Researchers website is also a good place to start looking for a supervisor.

Email your academic supervisor directly to enquire about projects and supervision. Your email should outline the reason(s) why you are attracted to their field of research, the type of research you would like to pursue and a summary of your academic qualifications and research experience. You may also submit a short research proposal, however, this is not mandatory at this point.

The academic supervisor may contact you to discuss your research proposal and possibly other projects, or they may forward your email to other staff in the research school / centre.

Once an academic supervisor has been confirmed to support your application you may proceed to step three.

If you are not sure which area of research or supervisor matches your interest please complete an expression of interest and we will get in contact with you. Do not proceed to next step until advised.

View sample projects

Finding available scholarships

ANU Colleges and individual research schools offer a number of scholarships that are awarded on a merit basis. You can also talk to your academic supervisor about other sources of funding you might access to assist with living expenses and tuition fees.

Find scholarships
 

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