Masters Degrees by Research

Master of Arts (MA)
Master of Business (MBus)
Master of Engineering (MEng)
Master of Laws (LLM)
Master of Science (MSc)
Master of Surgery (MSurg)
Master of Theology (MTh)

The following rule applies to all the above degrees.

Introduction

This rule governs masters degrees by research where the degree is awarded primarily on the basis of a thesis embodying the results of a research project and any coursework topics or other formal studies undertaken during the candidature which did not constitute more than one third of the final assessment for the degree.

Admission requirements

A person who holds an honours degree from Flinders University or who holds qualifications deemed by the Board of the appropriate faculty (hereafter referred to as 'the Board') to be at least equivalent may be accepted for enrolment in a masters by research degree provided that:

(a)       the program of studies has been approved by the Board; and

(b)       the proposed program of studies can be conveniently pursued and appropriately supervised; and

(c)       the person is judged by the Board to be qualified to undertake the program.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Clause 2, a person may be required as a prerequisite for enrolment to undertake and to complete to the satisfaction of the Board such qualifying studies as the Board prescribes.

A person who does not hold an honours degree of the University, or who does not hold qualifications deemed by the Board to be at least equivalent will be required as a prerequisite for enrolment, to undertake and complete to the satisfaction of the Board such qualifying studies as the Board prescribes.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Clause 4, the Academic Senate in special circumstances and subject to such conditions as the Academic Senate prescribes in each case, may accept for enrolment a person who does not hold an honours degree of a university or a qualification deemed by the Board to be at least equivalent to an honours degree of a university, but who has given evidence satisfactory to the Academic Senate of fitness for enrolment and whose enrolment is supported by the Board.

Program of study

Except with the permission of the Board, a full-time student shall pursue the approved program of studies for not less than one year and not more than two years and a part-time student for not less than two years, and not more than four years from the month from which enrolment commenced.

At the conclusion of the approved program of studies, or within the approved period as specified in Clause 6 above, each student shall present a thesis embodying the results of the work done while enrolled and containing a significant contribution to knowledge or scholarship within the scope of the subject.

The thesis presented for the degree shall not contain material which has been accepted for the award of any other degree or diploma; nor shall it contain any material previously published or written by another person except where due reference is made in the text of the thesis or in the notes.

Except with the permission of the Board, in the case of a person who is required to undertake qualifying studies, any work undertaken before the completion of the qualifying studies shall not be presented for the degree.

Examination

The Board shall appoint at least two examiners who shall be external to the University, and may appoint additional examiners.

The examiners shall each submit to the Board a written report on the student’s thesis.

After considering the reports of the examiners, the Board shall report to the Academic Senate whether the degree should be awarded or not.

After considering a report from the Board, the Academic Senate shall decide whether the degree shall be awarded.