Postgraduate Entry
You are required to meet the University's minimum level of entry. Entry is competitive and levels higher than the minimum may be required for admission to some courses.
All courses are taught in English and applicants must demonstrate competence in English by meeting Curtin's English language requirements.
Academic Entry Requirements
To apply for Curtin's postgraduate courses you must provide evidence of completion of a degree from a recognised university and provide evidence of English language proficiency.
Note: In some instances, such as some Graduate Certificate courses, evidence of relevant work experience may be sufficient.
English Language Entry Requirements
Please note that each course also has specific entry requirements that you must satisfy. Visit the Courses Handbook for individual course requirements.
Postgraduate Awards
| Award | Study/Career Pathway | Entry Requirements | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate Certificate | Designed to develop skills in a specialised area that may or may not be directly related to an undergraduate degree. | Completion of a Bachelor degree. In some instances, evidence of relevant work experience may be sufficient. | 1 semester |
| Graduate Diploma | A specialised, vocationally oriented award that introduces graduates from disciplines outside of their chosen higher degree to postgraduate studies. | Completion of a Bachelor degree or Diploma (this can be in an unrelated field if the applicant has work experience in the field). | 2 semesters |
| Postgraduate Diploma | Assists graduates to advance their expertise in the field in which they have majored at an undergraduate level. Graduates may be offered advanced standing should they wish to proceed to a Masters degree. | Completion of a Bachelor Degree. | 2 semesters |
| Masters Degree | Enables graduates to expand their practical skills and knowledge in their area of expertise. | A Bachelor degree in a relevant field. A School may accept an individual into a Masters degree provided that the applicant holds appropriate qualifications as decided by the Head of School. | 3 or 4 semesters |
| Professional Masters Degree | Professional Masters are intensive, fast-track programs designed to enhance the professional excellence of new graduates or working professionals. Please note that successful completion of a Professional Master Degree may not allow students entry into PhD studies. |
A Bachelor degree in a relevant field or relevant work experience. | 3 semesters |
| Doctoral Degree | A Doctoral Degree is the highest award available. Course content is determined in consultation with the head of the relevant school or department and the graduate studies committee in the relevant division. | A Masters degree, or a Bachelor degree with First or Upper Second Class Honours a recognised overseas tertiary institution. In exceptional cases, applicants holding Bachelor Pass degrees may also be considered. | At least 3 years |
Research or Coursework Degrees
Research
For a Masters degree to be considered a research degree, at least two-thirds of the required work towards the degree must be pure research. The award of Masters by Research indicates that a student has contributed substantially to the knowledge or understanding in a field, and is capable of carrying out independent research. Although there may be a requirement for some coursework units to be completed, the main proportion of the work is in the form of a thesis written under the guidance of a supervisor and associate supervisor(s). Assessment takes place after the finished thesis is marked by independent examiners.
Coursework
In a Masters by Coursework, students enrol in subjects and attend lectures and tutorials. There will often be a minor research component, but assessment is progressive throughout the course.
* Downloading PDF files requires Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not have Acrobat Reader, download it from the Adobe website.
