The Master of Philosophy offers postgraduate research supervision on a smaller scale than the PhD, towards which it can provide a pathway.

The Master of Philosophy is a research degree designed for graduates from various disciplines who wish to pioneer new knowledge and present the culmination of their research via a thesis.

You will do an integrated research project that culminates in the submission of a thesis and demonstrates the capacity for critical analysis and original research.

Your research topic

Applicants need to discuss their proposed research topic with an appropriate research supervisor. Please contact us for details.

James Cook University will form an advisory panel comprised of a Primary Advisor, Secondary Advisor and Advisor Mentor to assist Higher Degree by Research candidates in their research journey.

Research areas available include: education, social sciences, game design, banking and finance, tourism, psychology, aquaculture, marine ecology, interdisciplinary topics. Other themes can be arranged to meet the needs of candidates.

• All applicants must normally demonstrate academic capacity at a satisfactory level (Grade Point Average of Credit or equivalent) in their final year of coursework study that was used as part of the basis for admission.
• If the proposed research involves working with children under 18 years of age, the applicant must be eligible to hold a ‘Positive Notice for Child Related Employment’ (Blue Card), as required by Australian law and the University’s ethics approval process.
• To be eligible to apply for entry to a Research Masters degree an applicant must demonstrate the capacity to undertake research at the Research Masters level by the attainment of a Bachelor’s Degree with either a Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 5.5 in the final full time year of study, or with demonstrated research experience.
• Applicants for a Research Masters degree who have not already successfully completed an appropriate research methods subject must enrol in and successfully complete an appropriate research methods subject preferably before their Confirmation of Candidature Milestone, in addition to the normal course requirements.
• Applicants for a Research Masters degree that includes compulsory research methodology training in addition to the normal course requirements may be admitted on the basis of an appropriate Bachelor’s degree.

Note: Candidates who do not meet any of the above may apply for a higher degree pathway offered in the form of the Graduate Certificate of Research Methods or the Graduate Diploma of Research Methods.