Key facts
Duration
Locations
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course overview
This elite intensive research degree in health and (bio-) medical sciences will provide students with the opportunity to pursue and independent investigative research project under the supervision of an academic staff member in the School of Medicine, along with coursework specifically designed to provide relevant skills in research design, communication, integrity and interpretation. This course will provide students with a dedicated pathway into PhD programs or into employment where deeper disciplinary knowledge and research skills are required.
The research projects that centre on the basis of health and disease span from basic gene discovery and molecular analysis, through to functional genomics and pre-clinical development, to clinical and population studies. This includes in the fields of immunity, infectious diseases, developmental biology, exercise physiology and metabolism, musculoskeletal biology, haematology, cancer, metabolic disease, neuroscience, molecular psychiatry and nanomedicine. Research projects may also be offered in the field of rural and regional medicine, general practice, chronic disease management, public health, medical education, epidemiology, farmer health, medical imaging, surgery and optometry.
Course information
- Award granted
- Master of Philosophy
- Year
2025 course information
- Deakin code
- H800
- CRICOS code?
- 093847E Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
- Level
- Higher Degree Research
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9
Course structure
A Master of Philosophy is awarded for an original contribution to knowledge achieved in two years of full-time study (or four years of part-time study).
To complete the Master of Philosophy must complete 4 credit points of research training coursework that includes research design, communication, integrity and interpretation, in addition to an independent research project under the supervision of a nominated supervisor.
All commencing Faculty of Health Undergraduate and Postgraduate course work students are required to complete DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first trimester of study.
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Units
Must pass 12 credit points in:
or
Students will work continuously on their research project over a two-year period full-time or four year period part-time.
In addition, students need to complete 4 credit points of research training coursework units within the first year (FTE) of the course.
And one of:
or
or
Intakes by location
The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.
Trimester 1 - March
- Start date: March
- Available at:
- Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
Course duration
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.
Workload
You should be able to commit 36 hours a week towards the Master of Philosophy degree. A student is entitled to 20 working days annual leave from candidature on approval by their Principal Supervisor.
Participation requirements
Elective units may be selected that include compulsory placements, work-based training, community-based learning or collaborative research training arrangements.
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.
Work experience
Career Pathway Placements (internships) with industry partners, are offered as an elective, to all domestic and international HDR students. The timing of a proposed placement should be discussed with the supervisory team, and approved by the School HDR Coordinator.
Entry requirements
Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements or higher to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.
A combination of qualifications and experience may be deemed equivalent to minimum academic requirements.
Academic requirements
To be considered for selection into this degree you are required to meet at least one of the following criteria:
- completion of a masters degree with a minimum credit average (65% or equivalent) in the same discipline as the proposed research thesis
- completion of a bachelor degree with a distinction average (70% and above) for third year units or equivalent in the same discipline as the proposed research thesis
- completion of the pre-clinical component of the Doctor of Medicine (or equivalent degree) at the postgraduate level.
English language proficiency requirements
To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:
- bachelor degree from a recognised English-speaking country
- IELTS overall score of 7.0 (with no band score less than 6.5) or in each component of test
- other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements).
Admissions information
Learn more about Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning.
Not sure if you can get into Deakin postgraduate study? Postgraduate study doesn’t have to be a balancing act; we provide flexible course entry and exit options based on your desired career outcomes and the time you are able to commit to your study.
Scholarship options
A Deakin scholarship could help you pay for your course fees, living costs and study materials. If you've got something special to offer Deakin - or maybe you just need a bit of extra support - we've got a scholarship opportunity for you. Search or browse through our scholarships
Apply now
Get all the information you need to successfully apply for a Deakin research degree or PhD, including key dates, entry requirements, supporting documents and finding a research supervisor. We’re here to support you through the process.
Contact information
Our friendly advisers are available to speak to you one-on-one about your study options, support services and how we can help you further your career.
- Call us: 1800 693 888 Monday – Friday, 9am–5pm
- Live Chat: Monday - Friday
- Submit an online enquiry
- Help hub find common and trending questions and answers
Careers
Career outcomes
The Master of Philosophy is specifically designed to provide students from diverse undergraduate backgrounds with an opportunity to expand their knowledge base and become an independent researcher with specialized technical, critical thinking, communication and cognitive skills. These skills are highly sought by many employers, with the course providing students with a dedicated pathway into national and international PhD programs or into careers within academia, industry, medical research as well as government and non-government scientific agencies, both local and global.
Professional recognition
Not applicable
Course learning outcomes
Deakin's graduate learning outcomes describe the knowledge and capabilities graduates can demonstrate at the completion of their course. These outcomes mean that regardless of the Deakin course you undertake, you can rest assured your degree will teach you the skills and professional attributes that employers value. They'll set you up to learn and work effectively in the future.
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Demonstrate an advanced and integrated understanding of a complex body of knowledge in a chosen area of research in the medical discipline. Plan and execute a substantial research project that demonstrates complex knowledge and application of medical research principles and methods. |
| Communication | Interpret and efficiently transmit knowledge, skills, ideas and data to specialist and non-specialist audiences using highly developed written and oral communication skills. Apply listening and effective communication skills to accommodate, encourage and answer questions from an audience and to defend research findings and propositions. |
| Digital literacy | Use digital technologies to locate, curate, interpret and disseminate relevant evidence-based literature to formulate research hypotheses, concepts and theories. |
| Critical thinking | Critically analyse literature, research data and other information relevant to the medical discipline to develop a conceptual framework for a substantial research project. |
| Problem solving | Demonstrate autonomy, well-developed judgement and responsibility to critically analyse, reflect upon and synthesise complex information, concepts and theories by planning and executing a substantial research project in the chosen field of study. Contribute to advancements in knowledge of the discipline through mastering the use of instruments and techniques, to collect, interpret, analyse, synthesise and disseminate research data and findings. |
| Self-management | Demonstrate a high level of personal autonomy, professionalism and responsibility in the acquisition of knowledge and in the planning and execution of a research project and interpretation of its data and findings. |
| Teamwork | Demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively and effectively with research peers and non-specialist stakeholders to address complex real-world problems in a variety of settings. |
| Global citizenship | Demonstrate the application of knowledge and skills in conducting best-practice research of the highest ethical standards and in managing, sharing data and disseminating research findings across wider research and cultural communities. |