The Master of Creative Arts is a research higher degree for graduates wanting to enhance and specialise their studies or to change the focus of their existing knowledge and skills.
This program offers opportunities for you to develop specific knowledge and skills about the emerging creative industries, and to foster your intellectual capacities through critical, analytical, lateral and creative thinking.
- Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
- * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2025 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
- Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
This program offers opportunities for you to develop specific knowledge and skills about the emerging creative industries, and to foster your intellectual capacities through critical, analytical, lateral and creative thinking.
Research areas
The areas offered in this program are:
For more information, refer to the Faculty of Arts and Business research areas.
Admission requirements
To be eligible for admission to Master of Creative Arts candidature, applicants are normally required to hold a bachelor degree with at least Honours Class 2 Division II from a recognised higher education institution.
Applicants who have completed a bachelor degree and have achieved by subsequent work and study a standard equivalent to at least Honours Class 2 Division II may also be considered.
In exceptional cases, applications may be considered on the basis of other evidence of general and professional qualifications as approved by the Research Degree Committee.
International students need to refer to the University's English language requirements.
Enquiries
Office of Research
Research Training Administrator
Tel: +61 7 5456 5890
Fax: +61 7 5459 4727
Email: researchtraining@usc.edu.au
Program leader
Associate Professor Christian Jones
Tel: +61 7 5459 4849
Email: cmjones@usc.edu.au
Program structure
Program structure
During candidature you undertake research for, and complete, the design, construction and presentation of original creative arts products, and a written exegesis of between 15,000 and 20,000 words.
The exegesis must be a critical, scholarly and reflective articulation of the creative work produced for the degree, and must explain how that creative work relates to the development of knowledge and understanding in the creative tradition of which it is a part.
Program requirements and notes
- Prospective applicants wishing to undertake a Master of Creative Arts will need to find a suitable supervisor by contacting the Faculty of Arts and Business.
- For further information, refer to the Research Master Degrees - Academic Policy.
- Refer to related policies, rules, plans and procedures.
- Refer to the research areas for the Faculty of Arts and Business.
- Refer to the University's English language proficiency requirements.
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
Enrolment and Fees
- Domestic candidates: Australian and New Zealand citizens and permanent residents are not required to pay tuition fees for the standard duration of their HDR program. The Australian Government's Research Training Scheme (RTS) covers the cost of HDR tuition fees for these candidates. Research Master candidates are entitled to a maximum of two years full-time equivalent study. Candidates who do not complete their degree within the maximum RTS allowable completion times may be required to pay fees for any additional periods of enrolment. Please refer to Higher Degree by Research fees.
- International candidates: tuition fees apply. Refer to International HDR tuition fees.
- In any semester, full-time enroment comprises 0.500 EFTSL.*
- In any semester, part-time enrolment comprises 0.250 EFTSL.*
- The census date for withdrawal without financial penalty or academic penalty is the Semester 1 or 2 census date.
* EFTSL - Equivalent Full-Time Student Load. One year of full-time study equates to 1.000 EFTSL.