Master of Philosophy (Computing)

The Master of Philosophy (Computing) at Curtin University is a research master's degree. You spend most of your time on a single, supervised research project in computing, rather than sitting through a timetable of coursework units. That project is written up as a thesis. Along the way, you work with a supervisor or supervisory team who guide the direction of your research, meet with you regularly, and help you shape the question you are trying to answer.

How the degree is structured

Australian research master's degrees sit at level 9 on the Australian Qualifications Framework. A master's degree normally takes one to two years of full-time study. This one is two years full-time. Instead of semesters packed with units, your enrolment is built around your thesis. Some students take a small number of research training units, often in research methods or academic writing, depending on what their supervisor recommends and what the faculty requires. The bulk of your credit points come from the thesis itself. There is no standard list of modules you can look up in advance, because the research topic is worked out with your supervisor. If you want to know exactly what units you would take, ask the faculty before you accept an offer.

Because it is a research degree, the thesis is the centre of the course. You produce original work, present it, and defend it through examination. Depending on the project, you might be part of a research group, attend seminars, present at conferences, or work alongside other higher degree by research students. Some projects involve industry partners or placements; others are lab or theory based. Curtin has research strengths across computing, and the university has links with industry and other research organisations in Western Australia and beyond. Confirm the specifics of your project and any placement arrangements with your supervisor and the faculty.

What you actually learn

You learn how to design a research project in computing, manage it over two years, and communicate the results to both specialist and general audiences. That means literature review skills, research methodology, data analysis, technical writing, and the ability to present your work clearly. You also build deep technical knowledge in your chosen area, whether that is artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data science, software engineering, or another branch of computing. The exact technical content depends entirely on your topic.

Who it suits

This degree suits people who want to research computing rather than just work in it. You might be a graduate with a bachelor's degree in computer science, IT, or a related field who wants to go further into a specialised area. You might be a professional who wants to move into research and development. You might be preparing for a PhD. If you prefer structured coursework and a fixed syllabus, a coursework master's may be a better fit. If you like the idea of spending two years on one problem and becoming the person in the room who knows the most about it, this is the path.

English language requirements apply to international applicants. Curtin accepts IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced, and its own English programmes. The Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa. Check the official course page and the CRICOS register for current tuition, entry requirements, and English scores, because these details can change.

Graduates of a research master's in computing move into roles where deep technical knowledge and research skills matter. Typical destinations include:

• Research and development roles in technology companies, government agencies, and research organisations
• Data scientist or machine learning engineer
• Cybersecurity analyst or researcher
• Software engineer or systems architect in research-heavy teams
• Academic or industry researcher preparing for a PhD
• Consultant specialising in emerging technology

Australian industries that hire computing researchers include technology, defence, mining and resources technology, health informatics, finance, and government. Curtin's location in Perth gives access to Western Australia's resources and technology sectors, as well as national research networks.

As an international graduate, you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, which lets you stay and work in Australia after you finish. While you study, your visa generally allows up to 48 hours of work per fortnight. Always check current visa conditions with the Department of Home Affairs.