The Melbourne School of Design (MSD) attracts outstanding local and international graduates to undertake innovative research on built environment topics through our Master of Philosophy (MPhil) degree.

The MPhil is a higher-level research degree that requires advanced research, conceptual and writing skills. Working under the guidance of academic supervisors, MPhil candidates develop advanced knowledge and expertise by conducting independent and sustained research that examines a specific problem, issue or topic. The thesis demonstrates a critical application of specialist knowledge that makes an independent contribution to existing scholarship.

The MPhil degree is for students who want to deepen and cultivate their expertise and theoretical understanding within their chosen field. They will do so to an advanced level and seek to make a contribution to existing knowledge.

Appropriately experienced supervisors and an advisory committee support the candidate to plan and arrange a course of supervised research designed to suit their individual requirements and interests. Students progress through a series of milestones during their candidature that are designed to appraise, guide and strengthen their work towards completion.

The MPhil:

• Is undertaken for up to 2 years (full-time equivalent) or up to 4 years (part-time)
• Produces a thesis of 30,0000 - 40,000 words, developed under supervision, representing an original contribution to knowledge.

Candidates can propose research topics relevant to our core disciplines of architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, urban planning, property and construction and across a range of research themes.

On completing your research degree, you will have acquired an internationally recognised and respected qualification. Graduates of our research programs have gone on to work at institutions and organisations in Australia and across the world. Many of our graduates are working in leading built environment practices across the world, and at high-ranking universities internationally. They are active in facilitating progressive built environments globally.

Applicants are normally required to have been awarded at least one of the following: a Masters by Research degree; a Masters by Coursework degree (with a 25% research component); or a four-y

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