A Message from the Dean

For Postgraduate Students

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UNSW is a progressive university dedicated to directing academic excellence towards tackling society’s big issues. That ethos is reflected in our Arts & Social Sciences programs in which our students explore big ideas, create new knowledge and tackle the challenges of today’s world. As a postgraduate student you have the opportunity to engage with leading scholars, established international figures in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences disciplines, as well as the next generation of outstandingly talented researchers.

UNSW Arts & Social Sciences is proud of the quality of the supervision we offer PhD and Masters by Research students. Our comprehensive range of facilities, services and support are designed to maximise your academic experience and contribute to your success. This support includes a Faculty-based research training program, delivered online and face-to-face, and access to first-rate facilities, such as an extensive University library and 24-hour access to computer resources. You also have available to you individual access to workstations (on a competitive basis), support for research costs, conference attendance and, often, opportunities to gain teaching experience.

As a postgraduate research student, we encourage you to participate in our lively intellectual and collegial environment. You will have many opportunities throughout the year to participate in seminars, workshops, lectures and conferences.

When deciding to take a postgraduate coursework program, you may be seeking a professional qualification, preparing for a career change, or pursuing an intellectual passion. Our coursework programs focus on your professional development, as well as the exploration of areas of interest in greater depth. The need for continued study and skills development is widely recognised among employers, in industry and in educational circles. Our programs are designed to meet the needs of people developing an existing career, as well as those embarking on a new one. We work with employer groups and professionals to ensure the relevance and currency of our programs.

Our coursework programs are offered at the Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Masters level. We recognise your level of relevant professional experience and offer a structure suited to the individual providing experienced students with a streamlined Masters degree in just one year; while students with less professional experience will study for 1.5 years. We offer professional development degrees in Public Relations and Advertising, Journalism and Communication, Applied Linguistics, Public Policy and Governance, Development Studies and International Relations. Many of our degrees also provide professional accreditation including our Masters in Education, Counselling Social Work and NAATI approved Translation and Interpreting programs.

We encourage you to take an active role in the affairs of the Faculty and the University. Postgraduate students are represented on our main decision-making body, the Academic Board, as well as on many Faculty committees. We also welcome comments and feedback, as we are always on the lookout for ways to improve your experience.

UNSW Arts & Social Sciences is a community of outstanding scholars and ambitious students, brimming with challenging ideas and focused activity. I welcome you as one of its new members, and I hope that your time with us is stimulating, challenging and rewarding.

Professor Susan Dodds
Dean, UNSW Arts & Social Sciences

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