Master of Arts (Research) at Victoria University

Overview

Undertake a research project to gain a respected masters qualification in the humanities, arts or social sciences.

You'll be supported by a large community of academic staff with experience conducting research projects, presenting papers to international conferences, and publishing academic journal articles and books.

Our position in the west of Melbourne offers unique opportunities for collaborative research. We have strong connections with community, healthcare and arts organisations, as well as local and national government departments.

During your masters study, you'll expand and develop specialist knowledge and demonstrate independent thought, while undertaking an original thesis.

You'll also improve your career prospects in a competitive field by highlighting your ability to research, write, manage projects, and think critically and logically.

VU Research offers supervision for masters degree programs in areas including:

• Asian and Pacific Studies
• History
• Political Science
• Sociology
• Post-colonial Studies
• Social Policy
• Sociology
• Social Movement Studies
• Globalisation Studies
• Criminal Justice Studies
• International Development.

Research opportunities & development

VU Research gives you opportunities to:

• connect with other researchers
• participate in research festivals and competitions
• develop your research skills
• get funding for your research
• publish and promote your findings.

We offer support for graduate researchers including:

• an orientation program
• a specialised Office for Researcher Training, Quality & Integrity
• study spaces
• units to help you conceptualise and contextualise your research
• research ambassadors and student association.

Learning outcomes

The course objectives are to produce graduates who have the following knowledge and skills:

• a body of knowledge that includes the understanding of recent developments in one or more discipline
• advanced knowledge of research principles and methods applicable to the field of work or learning
• cognitive skills to demonstrate mastery of theoretical knowledge and to reflect critically on theory and its application
• cognitive, technical and creative skills to investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories and to apply established theories to different bodies of knowledge or practice
• cognitive, technical and creative skills to generate and evaluate complex ideas and concepts at an abstract level
• cognitive and technical skills to design, use and evaluate research and research method
• communication and technical skills to present a coherent and sustained argument and to disseminate research results to specialist and non-specialist audience
• technical and communication skills to design, evaluate, implement, analyse, theorise and disseminate research that makes a contribution to knowledge

This knowledge and these skills will be demonstrated through the planning and execution of a substantial piece of research

• with creativity and initiative
• with a high level of personal autonomy and accountability, demonstrating expert judgement, adaptability and responsibility as a learner

Careers in social and cultural organisations

Masters graduates are prepared for a wide range of roles in government or the public service, community and non-government organisations and media.

Our graduates often go on to work in the following areas:

• journalism, writing or strategic communications
• publishing
• arts administration and management
• government and policy work
• community-sector professional roles
• creative arts.

Career options with this qualification vary greatly depending on discipline. Example annual salaries for potential jobs are:

• community arts worker: $62,556 
• journalist/writer: $67,600 
• program/project administrator: $72,124