Master of Greek Philosophy

The Master of Greek Philosophy is a one-year coursework degree for graduates who want to read Plato, Aristotle, the Stoics and the Neoplatonists closely, in English translation and, where you have the language, in Greek. It suits people coming from a philosophy, classics, theology or history background who want more depth than an undergraduate major allows, and it also works for teachers, clergy and writers who want a structured year of serious reading.

What you study

The degree is built from units of study, each worth a set number of credit points. You take core units in ancient Greek metaphysics, ethics and epistemology, then choose electives from areas such as pre-Socratic thought, Hellenistic philosophy, Greek political theory and the reception of Greek ideas in later Christian and Islamic thought. Assessment is mostly essays and seminar papers rather than exams, with a research component in the later part of the year. Some students write a minor thesis; others take a capstone unit that pulls the coursework together into one sustained piece of writing. Confirm the exact unit list and credit-point structure with the institution, because offerings change.

How the year is structured

Australian master's degrees normally run over one to two years. This one is a single year, usually delivered across two semesters or trimesters. You will spend most of your time in seminars and reading groups, with independent work between classes. There is no professional placement in this field, philosophy is not a registered profession, so the degree is built around texts, argument and writing rather than work-integrated learning. If you are coming from overseas, note that a Student visa lets you work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session, and the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream may be available after you finish, depending on your circumstances. Check current rules with the Department of Home Affairs.

Skills and who it suits

You finish with the ability to read a difficult argument slowly, reconstruct it fairly, and say clearly where it fails. Those are the skills that carry into teaching, publishing, policy work and further research. The degree sits at AQF level 9. It can lead into a PhD, which in Australia runs three or more years, or into professional work where careful reasoning and writing matter. It suits students who already have a bachelor's degree and want a focused year on the Greek tradition rather than a broad survey.

English proficiency is required for international applicants. IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall is the common coursework-postgraduate standard, with TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and the university's own English programmes accepted as equivalents. The Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa itself. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register under course code 120891F. Check the official course page for current fees, intakes and unit offerings before you apply.

• Secondary school teacher, teaching philosophy, religious studies, history or English in Australian schools, usually after adding a teaching qualification.
• University tutor or academic, casual teaching and research support while you complete a PhD.
• Writer or editor, publishing, educational publishing, literary journals and content work where argument and clarity matter.
• Policy analyst, public sector, think tanks and NGOs that need people who can read a brief and find the weak point.
• Ethics officer or research integrity adviser, hospitals, universities and research organisations.
• Chaplain, pastoral worker or religious educator, churches, schools and welfare organisations, often with further theological study.
• Museum or library curator, collections with classical, religious or rare-book holdings, usually with a further qualification in information or museum studies.