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Postgraduate Coursework

Master of Arts

Key details

Duration

2 year/s full-time
4 year/s part-time
2 year/s full-time

Intake

Semester 1, Semester 2
On campus - Semester 1, Semester 2
Online - No
Important Dates

Locations

Casuarina campus, Online
Casuarina campus

Credit points required

160

Course code

SARTS1
SATAC/UAC codes

Overview

The Master of Arts is a flexible, postgraduate degree that allows you to undertake a bespoke research project on a topic of your choice. It will equip you with deep knowledge to bolster your CV, demonstrate your expertise and prepare you for a PhD should you wish to continue your studies.



At CDU, you can choose a research topic that aligns with one of the following focus areas:


  • Cultural and creative research
  • Indigenous research methodologies
  • Indigenous policy development
  • Indigenous engagement
  • Yolgnu languages and culture



You'll benefit from access to an expert, dedicated research supervisor, who will support you to think critically and creatively. You'll be guided to shape a research thesis or piece of coursework that is unique, carefully considered and robust in its findings.



In a world where opinions are rife, but facts and considered thought may not be, your ability to critically evaluate ideas, concepts and information will set you apart.


Credit transfers and advanced standing

Pathways


Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education

For information about credit transfer available to students with complete or incomplete study at this or other Institutions refer to Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education

Credit transfer

For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU

Credit transfers and advanced standing

Credit transfer

For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU

Fees

Both Commonwealth supported (CS) and full fee (FF) places are available for this course. If you would like to apply for a CS place use the SATAC code 1CM098. If you would like to apply for a FF place you will need to use the SATAC code 1CM598 or UAC code 873250.

Commonwealth supported places

Commonwealth Supported places are available in this course to students who meet one of the following residency requirements:

(a) be an Australian citizen, who will complete some of your course of study while resident in Australia; or

(b) a New Zealand citizen; or an Australian permanent visa holder; or an eligible former permanent humanitarian visa holder; who studies the entire course while living in Australia.

Further information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.

Non-Commonwealth supported places

Full fee paying places are available in this course.

Information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.

International tuition fees

The annual tuition fee for full time study is AUD $34,248.00. This equates to $ $4,281.00 per 10 credit point unit (0.125 EFTSL).
These fees are subject to increases annually, effective at the start of each calendar year.

You can find a list of International fees and payments you can expect to pay as part of your studies in Australia.

CDU offers a number of scholarships to international students to assist with the cost of study.

Luci's art

Why study arts at CDU?

Future-proof your career when you study arts with us. You'll learn to think critically and creatively in a rapidly changing world. Our courses are highly flexible and tailored to fit your interests and career goals.

  • #1 in Australia for postgraduate teaching quality in humanities and social sciences (GUG 2024)
  • #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
  • Learn from leaders in Indigenous and Asia Pacific knowledge, with close ties to important research initiatives
  • Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you
Luci's art

Why study arts at CDU?

Future-proof your career when you study arts with us. You'll learn to think critically and creatively in a rapidly changing world. Our courses are highly flexible and tailored to fit your interests and career goals.

  • #1 in Australia for postgraduate teaching quality in humanities and social sciences (GUG 2024)
  • #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
  • Learn from leaders in Indigenous and Asia Pacific knowledge, with close ties to important research initiatives
Luci's art

Why study arts at CDU?

Future-proof your career when you study arts with us. You'll learn to think critically and creatively in a rapidly changing world. Our courses are highly flexible and tailored to fit your interests and career goals.

  • #1 in Australia for postgraduate teaching quality in humanities and social sciences (GUG 2024)
  • #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
  • Learn from leaders in Indigenous and Asia Pacific knowledge, with close ties to important research initiatives
  • Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you
Luci's art

Why study arts at CDU?

Future-proof your career when you study arts with us. You'll learn to think critically and creatively in a rapidly changing world. Our courses are highly flexible and tailored to fit your interests and career goals.

  • #1 in Australia for postgraduate teaching quality in humanities and social sciences (GUG 2024)
  • #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
  • Learn from leaders in Indigenous and Asia Pacific knowledge, with close ties to important research initiatives

What will I study?

The course is comprised of 160 credit points of core and elective units. The core units are designed to be undertaken consecutively with elective units, which make up the remainder of the course requirements.

Course structure


A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 160 credit points as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless indicated.

Unit typeCredit PointsSpecific requirements
Core Units

(2 units)
30cp

Compulsory Core units totalling 30 credit points as per the list of units detailed below:

IAS501 Research Methods 1 (20cp)

IAS502 Research Methods 2 (10cp)

Specialist Electives A

(3-9 units)
90cp

Specialist Elective units totalling 90 credit points selected from the list of available units detailed below:

CULTURAL AND CREATIVE RESEARCH

Units totalling 90 credit points selected from unit options detailed below: 

IAS811 Master Thesis (10cp) (repeatable)

IAS812 Master Thesis (20cp) (repeatable)

IAS813 Master Thesis (30cp) (repeatable)

IAS814 Research Exegesis (20cp) (2 x repeatable)

INDIGENOUS RESEARCH METHODOLOGIES

Choose the following units totalling 30 credit points:

IAS521 Principles of Research in Indigenous Contexts

IAS522 Indigenous Research Methodologies

IAS524 Indigenous Representation and Ethical Practice

Units totalling 60 credit points selected from units detailed below:

IAS811 Master Thesis (10cp) (repeatable)

IAS812 Master Thesis (20cp) (repeatable)

IAS813 Master Thesis (30cp) (repeatable)

IAS814 Research Exegesis (20cp) (2 x repeatable)

INDIGENOUS POLICY DEVELOPMENT

Choose the following units totalling 60 credit points:

IAS530 Neocolonialism, Advocacy and Critique of Development

IAS531 Indigenous Policy Agendas in Federal and State Politics

IAS532 Indigenous Knowledges, Property Rights and Economic Participation

IAS533 Indigenous Knowledges and Epistemology

IAS812 Master Thesis (20cp)

Units totalling 30 credit points selected from units detailed below:

IAS534 Partnerships and Engagement in Indigenous Land and Sea Management

IAS535 Indigenous Peoples in the Context of Colonised Australia

IAS536 Indigenous Sovereignty and the Challenges of Reconciliation

IAS537 Building Relationships in Indigenous Contexts

IAS538 Challenging Educational Paradigm

IAS541 Yolngu Languages and Culture 1

IAS542 Yolngu Languages and Culture 2

IAS547 Indigenous Knowledges and Wellbeing

IAS548 Healthy Country, Healthy People

IAS549 Learning an Indigenous Australian Language (not offered 2024)

IAS521 Principles of Research in Indigenous Contexts

IAS522 Indigenous Research Methodologies

IAS523 Indigenous Research Project (2 x repeatable)

IAS524 Indigenous Representation and Ethical Practice

IAS812 Master Thesis (20cp) (1 x repeatable)

INDIGENOUS ENGAGEMENT

Choose the following units totalling 50 credit points:

IAS535 Indigenous Peoples in the Context of Colonised Australia

IAS536 Indigenous Sovereignty and the Challenges of Reconciliation

IAS537 Building Relationships in Indigenous Contexts

IAS812 Master Thesis (20cp)

Choose units totalling 40 credit points selected from units detailed below:

IAS534 Partnerships and Engagement in Indigenous Land and Sea Management

IAS530 Neocolonialism, Advocacy and Critique of Development

IAS531 Indigenous Policy Agendas in Federal and State Politics

IAS532 Indigenous Knowledges, Property Rights and Economic Participation

IAS533 Indigenous Knowledges and Epistemology

IAS538 Challenging Educational Paradigm

IAS541 Yolngu Languages and Culture 1

IAS542 Yolngu Languages and Culture 2

IAS547 Indigenous Knowledges and Wellbeing

IAS548 Healthy Country, Healthy People

IAS549 Learning an Indigenous Australian Language

IAS521 Principles of Research in Indigenous Contexts

IAS522 Indigenous Research Methodologies

IAS523 Indigenous Research Project (2 x repeatable)

IAS524 Indigenous Representation and Ethical Practice

IAS539 Intercultural Mediation

MRA501 Mawul Rom Studies (4 x repeatable) (last offered 2018)

IAS812 Master Thesis (20cp) (1 x repeatable)

YOLNGU LANGUAGES AND CULTURE

Choose the following units totalling 40 credit points:

IAS541 Yolngu Languages and Culture 1

IAS542 Yolngu Languages and Culture 2

IAS812 Master Thesis (20cp)

Choose units totalling 50 credit points selected from units detailed below:

IAS543 Yolngu Literature

IAS544 Indigenous Language Project (2 x repeatable)

IAS545 Yolngu Conversation 1

IAS546 Yolngu Conversation 2

IAS521 Principles of Research in Indigenous Contexts

IAS522 Indigenous Research Methodologies

IAS523 Indigenous Research Project (2 x repeatable)

IAS524 Indigenous Representation and Ethical Practice

 

Specialist Electives B

(up to 4 units)
40cpChoose 40 cp from any of the Specialist Elective A units identified above or from approved Masters level units from across CDU offerings, or approved cross-institutional enrolments from other universities.
 160cpTotal Credit Points

Course Rules (unless otherwise indicated in the above course structure)

Study plan


Students commencing in Semester 1

The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student commencing in semester 1 and enrolling in a standard load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to reduce or vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.

 

Legend:CO = Core UnitSE = Specialist Elective

FULL TIME - SEMESTER 1 ENTRY

Semester 1Semester 2
Year 1
IAS501 Research Methods 1 (20cp)COIAS502 Research Methods 2 (10cp)CO
Specialist Elective A or BSESpecialist Elective A or BSE
Specialist Elective A or BSESpecialist Elective A or BSE
  Specialist Elective A or BSE
Year 2
Specialist Elective A or BSESpecialist Elective A or BSE
Specialist Elective A or BSESpecialist Elective A or BSE
Specialist Elective A or BSESpecialist Elective A or BSE
Specialist Elective A or BSESpecialist Elective A or BSE

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PART TIME - SEMESTER 1 ENTRY

Semester 1Semester 2
Year 1
IAS501 Research Methods 1 (20cp)COIAS502 Research Methods 2 (10cp)CO
  Specialist Elective A or BSE
Year 2
Specialist Elective A or BSESpecialist Elective A or BSE
Specialist Elective A or BSESpecialist Elective A or BSE
Year 3
Specialist Elective A or BSESpecialist Elective A or BSE
Specialist Elective A or BSESpecialist Elective A or BSE
Year 4
Specialist Elective A or BSESpecialist Elective A or BSE
Specialist Elective A or BSESpecialist Elective A or BSE

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Students commencing in Semester 2

The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student commencing in semester 2 and enrolling in a standard load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to reduce or vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.

 

Legend:CO = Core UnitSE = Specialist Elective

 

FULL TIME - SEMESTER 2 ENTRY

Semester 1Semester 2
Year 1
  IAS501 Research Methods 1 (20cp)CO
  Specialist Elective A or BSE
  Specialist Elective A or BSE
Year 2
IAS502 Research Methods 2 (10cp)COSpecialist Elective A or BSE
Specialist Elective A or BSESpecialist Elective A or BSE
Specialist Elective A or BSESpecialist Elective A or BSE
Specialist Elective A or BSESpecialist Elective A or BSE
Year 3
Specialist Elective A or BSE  
Specialist Elective A or BSE  
Specialist Elective A or BSE  
Specialist Elective A or BSE  

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PART TIME - SEMESTER 2 ENTRY

Semester 1Semester 2
Year 1
  IAS501 Research Methods 1 (20cp)CO
Year 2
IAS502 Research Methods 2 (10cp)COSpecialist Elective A or BSE
Specialist Elective A or BSESpecialist Elective A or BSE
Year 3
Specialist Elective A or BSESpecialist Elective A or BSE
Specialist Elective A or BSESpecialist Elective A or BSE
Year 4
Specialist Elective A or BSESpecialist Elective A or BSE
Specialist Elective A or BSESpecialist Elective A or BSE
Year 5
Specialist Elective A or BSE  
Specialist Elective A or BSE  

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Entry requirements

Admission criteria

Successful completion of a recognised bachelor degree, graduate certificate, graduate diploma, master's degree, or equivalent international qualification.

International entry pathway

International Pathway

Applicants who have completed the CDU International Masters Qualifying Program (ZMQP01) or the Accelerated International Masters Qualifying Program (ZAMQP1) are eligible for entry.

Essential requirements

English language requirements

To gain entry into Charles Darwin University, all Higher Education applicants must satisfy the University's English Language Proficiency Requirements for their chosen course of study. International applicants will be required to supply evidence of this at the time of application.

The minimum English language requirement for this course is met by either undertaking previous education in an English-speaking country or undertaking one of the following English language tests and obtaining the minimum requirements listed below.

CDU English for Academic Purposes 4 (ZEAP40)Successful completion of EAP004 English for Academic Purposes 4
IELTS Academic ModuleA minimum overall score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0.
Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)A minimum overall score of 176, with no skill below 169.
Common European Framework Certificate of English ProficiencyA minimum overall grade of C1, valid for three years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU.
Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic moduleA minimum overall score of 58 with no score lower than 50.
TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT)A minimum overall score of 79 with a minimum writing score of 21.

* All tests are valid for two years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU, unless otherwise specified.

* Where applicable, international applicants must also satisfy the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) English language requirements for student visa applications.

Do you have a question regarding English requirements at CDU? Please email: international@cdu.edu.au.

 

The Arts courses at CDU are flexible and adaptable, with the option to choose from a wide range of both practical and specialised majors or study themes. We encourage students to ask about how a program can be tailored to fit their interests and career goals. Don’t be afraid to ask that question.

Professor Ruth Wallace

Ruth Wallace

The Arts courses at CDU are flexible and adaptable, with the option to choose from a wide range of both practical and specialised majors or study themes. We encourage students to ask about how a program can be tailored to fit their interests and career goals. Don't be afraid to ask that question.

Professor Ruth Wallace

Ruth Wallace

The Arts courses at CDU are flexible and adaptable, with the option to choose from a wide range of both practical and specialised majors or study themes. We encourage students to ask about how a program can be tailored to fit their interests and career goals. Don’t be afraid to ask that question.

Professor Ruth Wallace

Ruth Wallace

The Arts courses at CDU are flexible and adaptable, with the option to choose from a wide range of both practical and specialised majors or study themes. We encourage students to ask about how a program can be tailored to fit their interests and career goals. Don't be afraid to ask that question.

Professor Ruth Wallace

Ruth Wallace

Course details

Accreditation

This course is accredited by the University in accordance with the Higher Education Standards.

Inherent Requirements

There are inherent requirements for this course. Students must read and understand the requirements for this course.

Australian qualification framework

This course is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9.

Additional information

Can offers be deferred?
Yes
Award
Master of Arts
Faculty/College
Faculty of Arts and Society
Sector
HE
Area of study
Arts, Languages and Linguistics, Humanities and Social Sciences, Creative and Performing Arts, Indigenous Knowledges, Communications and Design

Contact details

For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Central on:

Email:Student.Central@cdu.edu.auPhone:1800 061 963 (free call)

You make CDU

Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.

You make CDU

Our students choose to study with us because we share the same vision – to make a positive change. Whatever your motivation is, we can guide you in the right direction.

You make CDU

Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.

You make CDU

Our students choose to study with us because we share the same vision – to make a positive change. Whatever your motivation is, we can guide you in the right direction.

How to apply

There are many ways to apply to CDU. The method you use depends on your course type, where you live and whether you are a new or returning student to CDU.

Remember to apply early for your best chance at securing an offer to study with us.

SATAC

SATAC is the application channel for residents of NT, ACT, SA, WA, QLD, VIC or TAS.

UAC

UAC is the application channel for residents of NSW.

International applications

Applications must be submitted online through our application portal, Studylink. You'll need a valid email address to create your online account. Once you have started your application, you will be able to save it and resume it later. There is no application fee when you apply online.

You may be able to lodge a direct application; however, there may be restrictions on your geographic location. If you cannot submit a direct application via the application portal, please apply through one of our registered agents.

Apply through StudyLink or through an Agent.

SATAC/UAC codes

Location
SATAC Code
UAC Code
Casuarina campus (CSP)
1CM098
823270
Casuarina campus (FF)
1CM598
873270
Online (CSP)
1CM098
823270
Online (FF)
1CM598
873270
* CSP = Commonwealth supported place
FF = Full fee

CRICOS codes

Location
CRICOS Code
Casuarina campus
0101689

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