Master of Computing

The school provides research facilities and supervision for postgraduate students for studies leading to the degree of Master of Computing (M Comp). The Master of Computing degree involves a major thesis which shows independence of thought and demonstrates the ability of the candidate to carry out research in the selected field. Information regarding the areas of research within the school is available from the School Research page

The degree typically takes one year of full-time or two years of part-time study. Part-time candidates must be able to devote the equivalent of a minimum of two days per week to the research project. One of these two days is required to be a working day (i.e. Monday to Friday), and a written permission from the employer to this effect must be obtained.

Entry Requirement

The normal entry requirement to postgraduate research work is an honours degree at the level of H1 (first-class honours) or HIIA (upper second-class honours) in computing or closely related discipline, or equivalent. Applicants with an honours degree at the level of HIIB may be accepted if they have appropriate research or work experience.

Financial Assistance

Australian Postgraduate Awards (APA) are available for permanent residents of Australia. Monash Graduate Scholarships (MGS) are available to residents of Australia and applicants from other countries. International Postgraduate Research Scholarships (IPRS) and Monash University International Partial Tuition Postgraduate Research Scholarship (MUIPTPRS) are available to overseas students. The faculty and the School also offer a number of research scholarships.

Scholarships for M Comp are generally awarded for one year, although they can be extended in special circumstances. All scholarships are subject to annual review and renewal.

Some casual paid employment as tutors or research assistants within the School may be available to appropriately qualified candidates. The amount of such paid employment is strictly limited so as not to interfere with the completion of the degree.

English Proficiency

Applicants from non-English speaking countries must demonstrate proficiency in English. This requirement can be met by the successful completion of (at least) a two-year tertiary-level course conducted entirely in English or a minimum TOFEL score of 575 with TWE of 5.0, or a minimum IELTS result of 6.5 (average) with no band below 6.0.

Course Fee

Australian residents

Australian residents pay the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS) fees. The HECS for 2000 is $4,932 per annum (Band 2).

However, the Commonwealth Government has made available awards which exempt most full-time Higher Degree by Research students from actually paying this charge. Intending candidates are advised to seek further information either from the School or from Higher Degrees and Scholarships branch of the University.

International students

The course is offered on a full fee paying basis to suitably qualified international students. The fees for 1999 are A$14,280 per annum.

Further information may be obtained from:

Monash International Pty Ltd
Monash University
26 Sir John Monash Drive
Caulfield, Vic 3145, Australia

Applications for candidature and scholarships must be made on standard application forms. Applications for scholarships close at the end of October each year, while applications for candidature can be made at any time. Students have considerable flexibility as to when their candidature should commence. However, most students start at the beginning of a new academic year, i.e. early March, because this coincides with the commencement of new scholarship awards.

When first contacting the School, potential applicants are advised to provide an outline of their intent (eg. which area of research), a detailed curriculum vitae, a copy of their undergraduate and postgraduate transcripts, and an indication of whether or not they are Australian citizens or permanent residents. This information will help the School to provide the most appropriate advice to the applicants.

For further information please contact:

Director of Research
Gippsland School of Computing and Information Technology
Monash University
Churchill, VIC 3842, Australia

Telephone: (03) 9902 6835 Fax: (03) 9902 6842
Email: gscit_res_degree@infotech.monash.edu.au