Types of postgraduate degrees at UNSW

Short courses are ideal for people already working in their chosen sector who want to accelerate their career growth or break into a new field. You can often choose a blend of in-person and online learning and customise your study load around existing commitments.  At UNSW, our short courses are run through the Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM) and are ranked 29th in the world.*

*Financial Times 2023 Executive Education Combined rankings

A graduate certificate is a short, focused postgraduate program offering specialised knowledge in your chosen field. Usually completed in 6-12 months, graduate certificates often serve as a pathway to further postgraduate study but they can be standalone programs that provide professional development and unlock faster career progression.

Similar to a graduate certificate, a graduate diploma is a relatively short postgraduate program that offers specialised knowledge and skills in a specific area. It's shorter than a master's degree, typically taking one year of full-time study to complete. It provides advanced learning and expertise, providing a pathway to further study or professional advancement in a focused field.

A master's degree – sometimes called a master’s by coursework – is a postgraduate qualification that is generally obtained after completing a bachelor's degree. It involves further study and specialised knowledge in a specific field, such as Master of Commerce, Master of Engineering, or Master of Business Administration (MBA). The program contains predetermined coursework and may include a research or professional placement element. Typically, it requires one to two years of full-time study.

An MBA or Master of Business Administration is a highly regarded degree for professionals wanting to excel in business or leadership roles in any industry. UNSW offers a range of online and hybrid MBA programs, run by the Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM). Our core MBA program is ranked #1 in Australia** and is designed to help candidates accelerate their career growth, move into a new industry or start their own business.

**Financial Times 2023 Global MBA Rankings

A Master by Research focuses on independent study and original research within a specialised area. Unlike a master’s by coursework that has predetermined modules and learning outcomes set out by the faculty, a master’s by research is a self-led, research-focused program. Students undertake in-depth investigations, culminating in a thesis or dissertation that demonstrates their contributions to the field. This program emphasises critical thinking and research methodology and typically takes one to two years of full-time study.

A PhD or professional doctorate is the highest academic qualification. A PhD emphasises original research, contributing new knowledge to a field. Professional doctorates blend research and practical application, aimed at professionals seeking advanced expertise in their field. Both require a thesis or dissertation, taking three to six years of full-time study.