Fine Art

Enrolment in a master's by research involves the independent investigation of a research problem that has been formulated by the student. It is expected that the research undertaken will make a contribution to the discipline in which the student is enrolled by applying, clarifying, critiquing or interpreting that knowledge. Students are supported by a minimum of two supervisors throughout their enrolment.

Students develop a studio research project that results in a body of creative or visual works with accompanying written and visual documentation. The documentation is a commentary that outlines the development of the project and its conclusion, and provides a critical context within which the work may be viewed and assessed.

The visual works are new works that demonstrate a conclusion to the research at the master's level. Works completed for other purposes, or before enrolment in the degree, are not permitted for inclusion in the exhibition. Unless site-specific, the faculty requires master's examination exhibitions to be conducted on-campus at the Caulfield campus.

Disciplines offered include:

• digital arts
• drawing
• painting
• photomedia
• printmedia
• sculpture
• visual arts.

Interdisciplinary studio projects will be considered on a case by case basis.

An applicant for admission to the research master’s degree must have qualified as follows:

• an Australian degree of bachelor with a minimum upper H2B (a mark of 65 or above) in an honours year in a relevant field, or its equivalent from a recognised tertiary institution;
• in special circumstances, GRC may admit an applicant who lacks any of the qualifications listed above, but whose publications and other experience is considered by the Faculty to be equivalent research training in the proposed field of study. Such applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis;
• all applications must be accompanied by a research proposal of 200–300 words;
• all studio-based research degree applications must be accompanied by a folio of 10–15 images of recent work.

All international students studying in Australia are required to pay full fees and be enrolled on a full-fee basis. Course fees are not fixed for the duration of the course and may increase depending on determinations in relation to the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

International students on student visa are also required to have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).

Students who are accompanied to Australia by dependants must have family rate cover for OSHC.

Graduate scholarships

Graduate research scholarships are available for full-time research at graduate level for study at one of Monash University's Australian campuses. Over 300 living allowance or stipend scholarships are offered at the main central selection round, which closes on 31 October each year. Approximately 70 international scholarship awardees are also offered scholarships to meet their tuition costs. 

A mid-year scholarship round is held each year which closes on 31 May. Approximately 70 living allowance or stipend scholarships and 15 tuition-paying scholarships are offered. In addition, some faculties offer scholarships to a number of applicants who miss out on a central scholarship offer.

Career opportunities

Master of Fine Art graduates have demonstrated an ability to research, analyse and interpret their own work and that of others through the application of specialist knowledge and advanced technical and analytical skills. Master's graduates may be self-employed or work as contemporary artists, educators, academics, research fellows, consultants, curators, researchers and administrators in galleries and museums and a range of government and private enterprises.