2009 Postgraduate Research Programs brochure (PDF, 1.9MB)

Introduction
The Centre for Actuarial Studies offers the following two postgraduate degrees by research: 
 

• Master of Commerce by Thesis

• Doctor of Philosophy by Thesis

The Centre has established an international reputation for research since its inception in 1992.  During this period, staff and visitors have contributed over 90 papers to the Centre's Research Paper Series, many of which have been published in top journals such as the Scandinavian Actuarial Journal, the ASTIN Bulletin and Insurance: Mathematics & Economics.  Research topics have ranged from the practical to the theoretical, covering areas such as aggregate claims distributions, financial economics, superannuation, ruin theory and claims reserving in general insurance.

Five members of the Centre hold a PhD.  Current research interests include: 

• Stochastic Models in Insurance and Finance
• Reliability Theory
• Applied Probability
• Ruin Theory
• Aggregate Claims Distributions
• Investments
• Stochastic Investment Models
• Claims Reserving in General Insurance

Staff will consider supervision of research projects in other areas.

MASTER OF COMMERCE BY THESIS
Overview
The Centre for Actuarial Studies offers a Masters of Commerce by Research in the area of Actuarial Studies. The Centre has established an international reputation for research since its inception in 1992. Research topics within the Centre range from theoretical to applied. Centre members regularly publish research in leading international actuarial journals and present at conferences, both in Australia and overseas.

Course Objectives

•  To provide students with the opportunity to acquire an in-depth knowledge about a particular topic:
  

• To provide students with a capacity to read and critically evaluate the scholarly literature in the discipline.
   
• To provide students with the capacity to pursue independent research by providing training in research methods.
   
• To provide students with an understanding of and commitment to research ethics and high standards of scholarship.
   
• To provide students with an opportunity to contribute original research in the field which may lead to publication and to provide students with the on-going capacity to publish independent research findings.
   
• To provide an appropriate foundation for students intending to proceed to a PhD program.
   

Admission Requirements
Admission to the Masters courses normally requires either:

(a) A four year honours degree in an appropriate related discipline of at least second class honours (H2B - 70%) or
 

(b) Successful completion of a preliminary course, normally the relevant postgraduate diploma, at an overall standard of at least second class honours.

Duration
A full-time student should complete the course in two consecutive semesters. A part-time candidate is expected to complete the course in four consecutive semesters. International Students Visa requirements preclude International students from part-time study. Part-time attendance applies only to Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents or New Zealand citizens. The maximum time permitted for completion is four years.

Course Requirements
Candidates will be required to pursue original research on an approved topic. Candidates must consult with the Head of the relevant Academic Unit before lodging their submission for approval of their research project with the Faculty Office. Once a candidate is accepted for the Degree of Master of Commerce by Thesis a supervisor is appointed and the candidate should consult with the supervisor regularly.

Assessment

Candidates are required to present the results of their research in the form of a thesis of about 30,000 words or, on the recommendation of their supervisor, a series of papers.

Applications

Applications for the Master of Commerce by Thesis are accepted throughout the year.

DOWNLOAD AN APPLICATION FORM HERE

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY BY THESIS

Overview

The Centre for Actuarial Studies offers a PhD by Research in the area of Actuarial Studies. The Centre has established an international reputation for research since its inception in 1992. Research topics within the Centre range from theoretical to applied. Centre members regularly publish research in leading international actuarial journals and present at conferences, both in Australia and overseas.

PhD candidates form an integral part of the Centre and are strongly encouraged to participate in all the Centre's academic activities. Successful candidates are well prepared for a career in either academia or industry. The PhD degree provides the successful candidate with the opportunity to produce a piece of original research on a topic of interest to the actuarial community.

Admission Requirements
 

1. A Bachelor's degree requiring four years of full-time study in which an overall level of honours (or its equivalent) was attained in the last year of that degree course or over the aggregate period of the course; or

2. A Bachelor's degree requiring three years of full-time study followed by a fourth year of equivalent full-time study, in a department of the University, considered by the Academic Board to be preliminary to undertaking a course of postgraduate study. The overall level of attainment to be at least equal to that in (1) above; or

3. The degree of master which entailed work of a standard at least equivalent to that in (1) above; or

4. A degree of doctor.

International applicants must also satisfy the University's English language requirements. These requirements do not apply to applicants who have completed their previous qualifications in a country where English is the official language. Refer here for full details.

Entry to the PhD program

Admission to the PhD program is at any time of the year.

Duration

Course duration is three years full-time or six years part-time.

Part-time study: For Australian Citizens and Permanent Residents. An applicant for admission as a part-time candidate must satisfy the Director of the Centre for Actuarial Studies and supervisor that adequate time is available to devote to their PhD work and to maintain regular contact with the supervisor and the Centre.

International Students Visa requirements preclude International students from part-time study.

Program Structure

Candidates would normally undertake three years of full-time study.

Candidates are required to present a thesis in such form as the Academic Board may, from time to time, prescribe.

Assessment

The award of the PhD is based solely on the results of the research thesis.

Further information

Further information is available by contacting The Information Officer at the School of Graduate Studies email: grad-info@viking.sgs.unimelb.edu.au or the Postgraduate Administrative Co-ordinator in the Department of Economics email: heidimb@unimelb.edu.au

A detailed information booklet "The PhD Handbook" is available from the Graduate Studies web site:

www.gradstudies.unimelb.edu.au/pgstudy/phd/handbk/

Information for Intending PhD Applicants:
www.gradstudies.unimelb.edu.au