Master of Fine Arts

You can complete the Master of Fine Arts either by thesis (requiring a thesis of 25,000 to 35,000 words) or by a body of creative work for exhibition combined with a research paper (requiring a thesis of 10,000 to 12,000 words and submission of a substantial exhibition, screening, performance or installation of works for examination).

There are two research intakes annually: Research Period 2 with a start date of 1 March (apply by 30 September of the prior year), and Research Period 3 with a start date of 1 July (apply by 31 March of the same year).

Yes, before applying you should find a potential supervisor within the Faculty whose academic background aligns with your research. If you need assistance finding a supervisor, you can contact the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Research Education Team at fass.hdradmin@sydney.edu.au.

You should submit up to 10 examples of your recent work, which can include digital photographs of installations, performance, and exhibitions (preferably as one JPG, TIFF or PDF file); showreel or excerpts of film, animation or digital video work (.MOV); a website or Vimeo channel address (in a Word or PDF document); or original storyboards, treatments or scripts for short films. The maximum file size for each document or compressed file upload is 10MB. Note that applicants who nominated the written thesis only option are not required to submit a portfolio.

If you are proceeding by creative work and research paper, two examiners will be appointed by the Faculty (at least one of whom shall be external to the University) and they will examine the creative work and the research paper at an oral examination chaired, in a non-voting capacity, by the HRD Coordinator or his/her nominee, at a joint exhibition by candidates.