Program code: 1745
Program Title: Doctor of Philosophy
Qualification abbreviation: PhD

Program code: 2455
Program title: Master of Taxation by Research
Qualification abbreviation: MTax (Research)

Program code: 9250
Program title: Master of Taxation
Qualification abbreviation: MTax

Program code: 9255
Program title: Master of International Taxation
Qualification abbreviation: MIntTax

Program code: 9260
Program title: Master of Applied Taxation
Qualification abbreviation: MAppTax

Program code: 5540
Program title: Graduate Diploma in Advanced Taxation
Qualification abbreviation: GradDipAdvTax

Program code: 5541
Program title: Graduate Diploma in Taxation Studies
Qualification abbreviation: GradDipTaxStud

Program code: 6066
Program title: Postgraduate Non-Award Course (Single Course Study)

Program code: 6067
Program title: Postgraduate Cross-Institutional Course

Program code: 6256
Program title: Postgraduate Non-Award Course (Single Course Study) - ATO Sponsored

Program code: 6258
Program title: Postgraduate Cross-Institutional Course - ATO Sponsored

Program code: 6894
Program title: Postgraduate Qualifying

A course number (identifier) in the UNSW system is formed from two principal elements:
- a four letter prefix indicating the Course Disciplinary Area designated by the code (e.g. ATAX)
- a four digit code. The first two numbers indicate the program to which it belongs and the second two numbers indicate the course.

The following is a key to understanding the various course numbering codes used in the following sections on program information:

ATAX01** Graduate Diploma in Taxation Studies courses - parallels some ATAX00** courses

ATAX03** Graduate Diploma in Advanced Taxation courses - mostly parallel ATAX04** courses

ATAX04** Masters courses

ATAX05** Masters courses for Law Masters

Prior to the commencement of each semester, course availability is included as part of the enrolment/re-enrolment information pack. Course descriptions for courses offered in 2007 can be found in the Online Handbook at legacy.handbook.unsw.edu.au

There is no University-wide rule requiring students to complete a program within a specified period of time. Atax will not usually recognise courses as part of a degree program where those courses are more than eight years old. Thus a postgraduate program should ordinarily be completed within 8 years of commencement. It is also the accepted practice for the University to notify students if they are not progressing satisfactorily. Please refer to the myUNSW page on 'Academic Standing' for further information.

The postgraduate coursework programs currently offered by Atax are the Master of Taxation, Master of International Taxation, Master of Applied Taxation, Graduate Diploma in Advanced Taxation and Graduate Diploma in Taxation Studies. Two postgraduate programs by research are also available: the PhD program which requires the completion of a supervised thesis (approximately 100,000 words) and the Master of Taxation by Research.

Atax serves the whole tax profession. In the context of recent and continuing fundamental changes to the Australian taxation system, experienced practitioners require the thorough upgrading of their skills and knowledge provided by postgraduate studies. Atax provides access to tax education to students across Australia, and provides mobility advantages for the many students who move around Australia or overseas in their jobs.

The Atax postgraduate tax programs build on the foundation provided by undergraduate study. Atax offers advanced postgraduate tax programs for existing taxation specialists with degrees in law or commerce and for graduates of the Atax undergraduate tax program. Entrants from other disciplines are offered a Graduate Diploma in Taxation Studies to bring them up to similar standards in core areas, consistent with tight time constraints, as Bachelor of Taxation graduates. The Masters programs and Graduate Diploma in Advanced Taxation program offer exposure to the more advanced aspects of the discipline and a critical understanding of the Australian tax system. The Masters programs emphasise skills in sustained self-directed writing, including relevant research skills. The Master of Applied Taxation is designed for Chartered Accountants who are regularly faced with tax issues in their professional work. In addition to developing research skills, the program focuses on specific studies in taxation in a business context.

Part-time students will normally complete one or two courses per semester. Full-time students will normally complete four courses per semester. 'Fulltime' students are defined as having a load of 0.75 or more (0.375 per semester). Each semester is 14 weeks in duration. Contact will vary from course to course. As a rough guide, students can expect to spend at least 12 hours per week studying each course.

In special circumstances with approval from the program convenor, a heavier load could be taken. That would depend to some extent on the student's prior academic record.

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