Postgraduate Studies

Take your university education to the next level and get closer to your dream career with postgraduate studies offered by Perth’s world-class universities and colleges.

Postgraduate Studies in Perth

Postgraduate study in Australia is designed for international and local students wanting to progress in their careers, advance their studies after an undergraduate degree, or take their studies in a new direction.

International students in Perth have access to various postgraduate programs across various fields, including engineering, business, health sciences, and more.

With exceptional facilities, cutting-edge research opportunities, and supportive learning environments, Perth’s universities and colleges provide everything you need to take the next step towards your dream career with a postgraduate qualification.

Perth’s world-class universities include Curtin University, Edith Cowan University, Murdoch University, Notre Dame University, and The University of Western Australia. You also have the option of studying at a higher education college, of which Perth has many.

The city’s strong economy and thriving industries provide excellent prospects for internships and employment opportunities, enhancing your career prospects upon graduation.

Fast-track your career or take your studies in a new direction with a wide range of postgraduate study options available to students in Perth.

Types of postgraduate qualifications available in Perth

A Graduate Certificate typically takes six months and can be studied independently or used as a pathway to further studies, usually to a Graduate Diploma. This type of qualification can help you expand your knowledge in specific areas related to your undergraduate studies or help you gain expertise in a new field.

Graduate Diplomas usually require a Bachelor's degree or higher, much like Graduate Certificates. However, in some instances, work experience can be accepted for admission. These programs are offered by universities and private institutions and typically take a year to finish.

A Master’s degree takes one to two years to complete and is designed to help you specialise in your field, re-skill for a new industry, or take on a specific research project.

There are two types of Master’s degrees – research and coursework. Research requires you to produce research or add knowledge in your field, submitting a thesis of 20,000 to 40,000 words. If you decide on the coursework route, you will complete a specified set of core units and a selection of eligible elective units, similar to a Bachelor’s degree.

Some Master’s degrees have ‘exit points’ within them, meaning you can stop your studies at a certain point and be awarded a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma.

A Master of Business Administration, often referred to by its acronym, MBA, is widely regarded as the preferred qualification for professionals wanting to pursue a career in general management. In this course, you will explore the latest in strategic management and the leadership techniques required to lead and inspire others in a global business environment. An MBA is usually completed by coursework and takes about 2 years.

A Doctorate (or Doctoral) degree, or PhD, is the highest award at Australian universities. A PhD usually takes three to four years to complete and involves conducting original research that significantly contributes to your study field, often through a major thesis of 40,000 to 60,000 words.

Admission requirements for Perth postgraduate studies

English language proficiency

To enrol in an Australian postgraduate course, you need to have a high-intermediate to advanced level of English. Most postgraduate courses require an IELTS certificate with an overall score of 6.0 or higher.

Academic background

To start a Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, or Masters degree, you must hold a bachelor's degree. For entry into a PhD, in most cases, you must have completed a Masters degree. For some postgraduate qualifications, you might be accepted if you have significant, relevant work experience.

Student visas

To study a postgraduate course in Perth, you must apply for a Student Visa. Click the link below for more information on obtaining a Western Australian Student Visa.

Student Visas and Migration

Research degrees in Western Australia

If you want to discover new information, solve challenges and drive real-world impact, a research degree might be for you. A postgraduate research degree allows you to strengthen your expertise in the field you're passionate about.

Western Australia offers a variety of research degrees (Higher Degrees by Research) through several of its universities.

The main types of research degrees include:

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Professional Doctorates
Master of Philosophy / Master of Research

All five of Western Australia's universities offer Higher Degrees by Research. With vibrant research communities, state-of-the-art facilities, and guidance and support from expert academics, Perth's universities are a great choice to pursue a research degree.

Notably, The University of Western Australia is a member of the Group of Eight (Go8) Universities, an associated of research-intensive universities.

Did you know that if you hold an international Masters and PhD student visa, you could have the school fees for your children waived?

You will still be required to pay certain contributions, charges and fees and the tuition fee waiver only applies during your study period.

Learn more

Start your application

To meet entry requirements for postgraduate study, you need to have completed an undergraduate qualification before enrolling.

When you apply to study at an institution in Perth, Western Australia, you are required to apply to the institution directly. This can be done online or via post.

We've broken down the application process into an easy-to-follow, step-by-step guide.

Click the link below to take the first step towards your postgraduate journey in Perth!

How to Apply

FAQs

You can study for a postgraduate qualification in two ways – by coursework or by research. You can undertake a Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, or Master’s degree by coursework. You can also undertake a Master’s degree by research, and PhD’s are only done through research.

Studying a postgraduate program by coursework means you must complete a specified set of core units and a selection of eligible elective units to complete the qualification. Undertaking a coursework program means attending classes, completing assignments, and taking exams where applicable. Some Masters by coursework also require the completion of a minor thesis of around 20,000 to 40,000 words.

Studying a postgraduate program by research involves the submission of a completed thesis based on an independent research project. You must add knowledge in your field by conducting original research and completing a thesis.

To undertake postgraduate studies in Perth, you must have completed a Bachelor’s degree. So, a Bachelor’s degree is the pathway to a postgraduate qualification.

Yes, most institutions that offer postgraduate courses also offer some fully online. Not all postgraduate courses can be done online, so check your desired institution's website.

Generally, international students must maintain a full-time enrolment as part of the student visa requirements, so there is limited opportunity to study a postgraduate course part-time.

Both Master’s and Doctorate degrees offer a research option, which involves the submission of a completed thesis based on an independent research project. Through the research process, you will extend your understanding of a subject area and develop advanced analytical and project management skills and the ability to work independently.

Most masters courses require a recognised bachelor degree in a related field, and some also require relevant work experience. English requirements are usually higher than for undergraduate entry. Use StudyPerth's Course Search Tool to research entry requirements at Perth's higher education providers.

Yes. All five Western Australian universities offer higher degrees by research, including PhDs and masters by research.

Perth education providers offer coursework masters, graduate certificates and graduate diplomas, and higher degrees by research, across business, health, engineering, education, law and the sciences. StudyPerth's Course Search Tool lists postgraduate study areas by provider so you can compare course structures, durations and intake dates before applying.