Why study with us?
We're ranked 23rd in the world for Arts and Humanities in the 2021 QS World University Rankings by Subject.
Our graduates are ranked 1st in Australia and 4th in the world for employability by the QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022.
In response to COVID-19, the University of Sydney has reviewed the availability of courses to be delivered remotely.
This course will be available for students to study remotely during 2022 if they are unable to undertake face-to-face study. Please note that some units of study that are not essential to completing the degree may not be available to be studied remotely. For the latest updates on course availability, visit the COVID-19 information page.
About this course
The only Master of Cultural Studies on offer in Australia, this program covers diverse topics of popular culture, media, gender, sexuality, globalisation and consumer culture. Using real-world examples, you will learn to analyse cultural forms and debate their significance in context.
Through this degree, you will also engage critically with culture in its manifest expressions and gain insight into identity, self-expression and embodiment.
Our degree is taught by world-renowned scholars, including Professor Elspeth Probyn and Professor Catherine Driscoll within the Department of Gender and Cultural Studies, who draw upon cutting-edge research in this interdisciplinary field.
Engage with a dynamic postgraduate community and undertake cultural research as part of a well- established internship program, in a business, government or not-for-profit body.
Commonwealth Supported Places
Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) are available for postgraduate study for eligible domestic students. This means that your course fees are subsidised by the Australian Government and you pay a student contribution amount (SCA). CSPs are limited in number and are allocated based on academic merit.
For academic requirements check the ‘Admission requirements’ section on this page.
You can apply online via the application portal. When you are ready to apply, select the ‘Apply’ button on this course page. Visit the How to apply page for other important information.
Applying for a Commonwealth supported place (CSP)
There is no separate application required to apply for a CSP, an earlier closing date may apply – check the closing dates section below. Once you apply for admission, if you are successful in securing a CSP, you will receive notification via an offer of admission.
A Commonwealth supported place (CSP) is not guaranteed as there are a limited number of CSPs available for postgraduate courses. The number of available CSPs for a course can change each semester/year. CSPs are also not automatically awarded for course transfers and upgrades.
CSPs are awarded for the duration of a course based on academic merit determined by the University and eligibility criteria specified by the Australian Government. Learn more about CSPs. If you do not qualify for a CSP you may be offered a domestic fee-paying place.
Semester 1 - 31 January of the commencing year
CSP closing date: 15 January of the commencing year
Semester 2 - 15 July of the commencing year
CSP closing date: 30 June of the commencing year
We strongly encourage applicants to apply as early as possible, offers are made on a rolling basis and places are limited. Separate scholarship deadlines apply - check the scholarships website for details.
Semester 1 (February) and Semester 2 (August)
You can apply online via the application portal. When you are ready to apply, select the ‘Apply’ button on this course page. Visit the How to apply page for other important information.
Semester 1 - 15 January of the commencing year
Semester 2 - 25 June of the commencing year
We strongly encourage international applicants to apply as early as possible to allow time for visa and travel arrangements. Separate scholarship deadlines may apply - check the scholarships website for details.
Semester 1 (February) and Semester 2 (August)
To qualify for the Master of Cultural Studies you must complete 72 credit points, including:
Recognition of Prior Learning / credit for previous studies is available for this course, refer to Admission requirement below.
View the Cultural Studies Unit timetable.
Please note this timetable is indicative only.
Under normal progression, a full-time student completes prescribed units of study to the value of 24 credit points per semester. Part-time students may undertake prescribed units of study up to the value of 12 credit points per semester. You are required to attend all lectures, tutorials and other activities prescribed for your units of study.
While undertaking a Master of Cultural Studies degree, you may apply to undertake cultural studies internship placement upon department approval of a viable project. The placement may involve work on a specific project or a general role in a workplace that undertakes cultural work, broadly defined from multiculturalism to media, gender to NGOs and the cultural sector. You are welcome to suggest your own internship field or host organisation, which can also, where relevant, be one where you already work.
Upon department approval of a viable project, you have the option of completing a dissertation over two units of study, normally undertaken over two semesters, with a value of 12 credit points, under the supervision of an academic staff member.
Entry in the 1 year or 1.5 year degree program is determined by the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) criteria below:
Admission to candidature for the Master of Cultural Studies (1.5 years full-time) requires:
Admission to candidature for the Master of Cultural Studies (1 year full-time) requires:
If you do not meet the requirements listed above for direct entry to the Master’s degree, you may be able to enter via a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in the same subject area and upgrade to the Master’s after successful completion of the shorter course.
The course includes a dissertation pathway for students interested in pursuing a higher degree by research after completion.
Understanding cultural processes is key in many fields of work, from government and community sectors through to the arts, education and communication industries. One of the study options is an internship that enables you to undertake a research project with a relevant organisation upon departmental approval.
If you complete the dissertation component at Distinction level or above, you will be eligible to apply for a research degree.
