Master of Commerce

The degree is designed for students to develop advanced skills in carrying out independent and sustained research. The thesis should demonstrate a critical application of specialist knowledge and make an independent contribution to original research.

Supervised research on approved topics may be undertaken on a full-time or part-time basis in the discipline of Actuarial Studies.

• To provide students with the opportunity to acquire an in-depth knowledge about a particular topic;
• To provide students with a capacity to read and critically evaluate the scholarly literature in the discipline;
• To provide students with the capacity to pursue independent research by providing training in research methods;
• To provide students with an understanding of and commitment to research ethics and high standards of scholarship;
• To provide students with an opportunity to contribute original research in the field which may lead to publication and to provide students with the on-going capacity to publish independent research findings; and
• To provide an appropriate foundation for students intending to proceed to a PhD program.

Duration: 1.5 year full-time / 3 years part-time

Thesis Length: 30,000 words

Course Requirements

Candidates pursue original research on an approved topic for at least one year full-time, or two years part-time. When a candidate is accepted for the Degree of Master of Commerce by thesis a supervisor is appointed and the candidate should consult with the supervisor regularly.

Progress Review: Masters by research candidates are required to submit six-monthly progress review forms. Completion of first six-month progress review, the Formal Review, is required for the continuation of enrolment and any scholarship held. The Formal Review, the is a major hurdle for the masters by research in which candidates will also be required to give a 15 minute presentation of their work. The Completion Report attachment is submitted at 18 months full-time and whenever an extension to candidature or lapse in good standing is sought. Candidates can check the Student Portal at any time to see the date of their next progress review.

International AusAID-sponsored students will be required to submit end-of-semester reports to AusAID.

Please visit the Melbourne School of Graduate Research to view the Masters by Research Thesis Guidelines and Codes of Practice.

Admission to the Master of Commerce as a graduate research degree program in Actuarial Studies normally requires either:

• (a) A four-year honours degree in economics, commerce or a related discipline of at least second class honours (H2B 70-74%) standard; or
• (b) Successful completion of a preliminary course, normally the relevant Postgraduate Diploma, at an overall standard at least equivalent to that required for second class honours.
• (c) Applicants are required to submit an official GRE test result as part of their application for the research Master of Commerce graduate research degree program in the area of Actuarial Studies.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Please refer to the University Graduate Attributes

Details of the University's Masters by Research Code of Conduct can be found on the Melbourne School of Graduate Research web site.

To find out more about the course, please visit the Master of Commerce page on the Faculty web site or the Centre for Actuarial Studies