Faculty of Economics and Commerce : Guide to courses

13. Postgraduate courses

Table of Contents

 13. Postgraduate courses

Graduates with a BCom pass degree or its equivalent may apply for enrolment in a postgraduate diploma in economics or finance, or in a graduate diploma in industrial relations and human resource management or actuarial studies.

It is expected that diploma students will perform at honours level during their courses. Successful completion of a diploma course at the required standard qualifies candidates for admission to the MCom degree course.

 13.1. Postgraduate Diploma in Economics

The PGDipEcon advanced course of study normally takes one year full time or two years part time, entailing two or four consecutive semesters in economics and related disciplines. It provides introductory training for students seeking to do an MCom degree by coursework or by thesis.

Admission is open to graduates in economics and to others with approved tertiary qualifications. Those without an adequate economics background will be required to undertake preliminary work. The course assumes ability to cope with work of honours degree standard.

 13.2. Postgraduate Diploma in Finance

The PGDipFin advanced course normally takes one year full time or two years part time (two or four consecutive semesters) and provides a basic understanding of modern finance and financial economics. It provides introductory training for students seeking to do an MCom degree by coursework or by thesis.

Admission is open to graduates with an economics or finance background or equivalent. Applicants without the appropriate background are required to undertake preliminary work.

Preliminary work normally involves satisfactory completion of the undergraduate subjects Business Finance, Accounting Concepts, Microeconomics and Macroeconomics. An applicant may be required to complete other preliminary work.

 13.3. Graduate Diploma in Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management

The DipIR&HRM course, normally takes one year full time or two years part time (two or four consecutive semesters), and offers advanced studies in industrial relations and related disciplines. It provides introductory training for students seeking to do the MCom by coursework or by thesis.

Admission is open to graduates from any discipline. Candidates who have not previously studied industrial relations or human resource management will usually enrol as part-time students in order to sequence their studies appropriately.

 13.4. Graduate Diploma in Actuarial Studies

The Graduate Diploma is designed for students who have not undertaken an undergraduate actuarial program but who decide to pursue a career in actuarial science. To obtain entry to the program, students must have completed a degree from a recognised university, have a good academic record, and have an appropriate background (e.g. in statistics or applied mathematics). The course requires one year of full-time or two years of part-time study.

 13.5. Master of Commerce by coursework or thesis

The MCom degree by coursework is a one year, full-time (two year, part-time) program specialising in economics, finance or industrial relations.

The course consists of six coursework subjects plus production of an article for publication or a research report, which counts as a double subject.

Candidates for an MCom degree by thesis pursue original research on an approved topic for at least one year full time, or two years part time.

Each candidate has a supervisor appointed by the Faculty. Candidates present the results of their research in a thesis of about 50,000 words or (on the recommendation of their supervisor) a series of papers.

The MCom degree by thesis should be completed within two years for full-time candidates and four years for part-time candidates.

Admission to the MCom degree course (whether by thesis or coursework) is open to students with a first or second-class BCom(Hons) degree or its equivalent.

 13.6. Master of Actuarial Science

The Master of Actuarial Science is a one year full-time or two year part-time program. Students must have completed a degree, have an academic record with an average of 70% or higher and have a major in an appropriate area (e.g. statistics or applied mathematics).

 13.7. Master of Applied Finance

The Master of Applied Finance is a two-year part-time or nine-month full-time program. The program has been designed to suit the needs of financial managers and financial markets practitioners.

The philosophy behind the program has been to provide an intensive, practically oriented advanced program in finance that meets the needs of participants and their workplaces.

Graduates of the course will have an enhanced understanding of financial markets and activities and be able to operate more effectively in these areas.

 13.8. Master of International Business

The Master of International Business is a program designed to prepare you for a future in international business. The program is offered on a two-year part-time or nine-month full-time basis.

The program deals with the problems and challenges facing business organisations that do business across borders and between cultures. The Asian region is used as a focus of study to explore strategic management issues.

Peer learning between students is encouraged by the use of case studies and small project teams. This gives students the opportunity to work in small cross-cultural groups.

 13.9. Doctor of Philosophy

Studies for a PhD may be pursued in any department of the Faculty, including the Faculty's Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research (MIAESR). Intending applicants should approach the relevant head of department for further details and seek advice from the University's Office for Research. Applications may be lodged at any time.

 13.10. Doctor of Commerce

The DCom degree may be taken by a graduate of the University of Melbourne, or any other tertiary educational institution, of not less than seven years standing after first qualifying for a degree. The candidate must satisfy the Faculty of adequate training and experience in a discipline recognised by the Faculty.

Candidates submit for examination published or unpublished original work which in subject, scope and character is deemed appropriate by the Faculty.

Status:                   Official 1999
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