Editing Postgraduate education (section)

===Admission===
Generally, the Australian higher education system<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.studyinaustralia.gov.au/news/-the-australian-higher-education-system---simplified|title=The Australian Higher Education System...Simplifi|website=www.studyinaustralia.gov.au|language=en|access-date=2018-07-05|archive-date=2021-03-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321121044/https://www.studyinaustralia.gov.au/cmlogin.aspx?RedirectURL=%2fSite-Layout%2fNews-archived%2f-The-Australian-Higher-Education-System---Simplified|url-status=live}}</ref> follows that of its British counterpart (with some notable exceptions). Entrance is decided by merit, entrance to coursework-based programmes is usually not as strict; most universities usually require a "Credit" average as entry to their taught programmes in a field related to their previous undergraduate. On average, however, a strong "Credit" or "Distinction" average is the norm for accepted students. Not all coursework programs require the student to already possess the relevant undergraduate degree, they are intended as "conversion" or professional qualification programs, and merely any relevant undergraduate degree with good grades is required.

Ph.D. entrance requirements in the higher ranked schools typically require a student to have [[postgraduate research]] honours or a master's degree by research, or a master's with a significant research component. Entry requirements depend on the subject studied and the individual university. The minimum duration of a Ph.D. programme is two years, but completing within this time span is unusual, with Ph.D.s usually taking an average of three to four years to be completed.

Most of the confusion with Australian postgraduate programmes occurs with the research-based programmes, particularly scientific programmes. Research degrees generally require candidates to have a minimum of a second-class four-year honours undergraduate degree to be considered for admission to a Ph.D. programme (M.Phil. are an uncommon route<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.studyoptions.com/research-degrees-mphil-mres-phd|title=Research degrees (MPhil, MRes & PhD) in Australia and New Zealand {{!}} Study Options|website=www.studyoptions.com|language=en|access-date=2018-07-05}}</ref>). In science, a British first class honours (3 years) is not equivalent to an Australian first class honours  (1 year research postgraduate programme that requires a completed undergraduate (pass) degree with a high [[grade-point average]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uq.edu.au/study/program.html?acad_prog=2031|title=Bachelor of Science (Honours) – Courses and Programs – The University of Queensland, Australia|work=uq.edu.au}}</ref> In scientific research, it is commonly accepted that an Australian postgraduate honours is equivalent to a British master's degree (in research). There has been some debate over the acceptance of a three-year honours degree (as in the case of graduates from British universities) as the equivalent entry requirement to graduate research programmes (M.Phil., Ph.D.) in Australian universities.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://futurestudents.unimelb.edu.au/admissions/entry-requirements/research|title=Entry requirements: Graduate Research Degrees|date=2012-07-11|website=futurestudents.unimelb.edu.au|language=en|access-date=2018-07-05|archive-date=2021-03-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321121015/https://study.unimelb.edu.au/how-to-apply/graduate-research/international-applications/applications|url-status=live}}</ref> The letters of honours programmes also added to the confusion. For example: B.Sc. (Hons) are the letters gained for postgraduate research honours at the University of Queensland. B.Sc. (Hons) does not indicate that this honours are postgraduate qualification. The difficulty also arises between different universities in Australia—some universities have followed the UK system.