Master of Aboriginal Studies

What you will study

Complete 96 units comprising:

• 90 units for all Core courses, and
• six units for Electives

Core courses

• Indigenous Perspectives on Globalisation
• Law and Land
• Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing
• Aboriginal Futures
• Australian Indigenous Languages, Identity and Belonging
• Cultural Competency: Challenging Racism in Australian and Indigenous Contexts
• Aboriginal Studies Master Class
• Rebuilding Aboriginal Nations
• Research Thesis 1
• Research Thesis 2
• Culture and Language
• Aboriginal Research Methods and Ethics

Electives

Complete six units comprising:

six units from Program electives

• People, Leadership and Performance
• Managing Across Cultures (UniSA)
• Aboriginal Education, Culture, Curriculum and Change
• Community Partnerships
• Social Work and Policy Practice

Entry requirements

To be eligible, an applicant must have achieved at least one of the following minimum entry requirements and demonstrate they fulfil any prerequisite and essential criteria for admission. In cases where there are more eligible applicants than available places, admission will be competitive with ranks based on the entry criteria.

• A completed bachelor's (AQF level 7) or bachelor's honours (AQF level 8) degree or equivalent from a recognised higher education institution.
• A completed nested or related graduate certificate (AQF level 8) or higher or equivalent from a recognised higher education institution.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Adelaide University is committed to recognising the contribution of students’ prior learning towards their program requirements.

Credit may be granted for formal, informal and non-formal learning, with guidance on eligibility provided to prospective students in a clear, transparent and publicly available credit framework.

Credit determinations will be:

• Evidence-based, equitable and transparent.
• Academically sound.
• Applied consistently, fairly and subject to review.

Credit will be granted for prior learning that is relevant and equivalent to the learning required for the courses for which credit is sought.

Credit will only be granted if it:

• Maintains the credibility and integrity of the program for which credit is sought.
• Does not contravene the conditions of the program’s professional accreditation.
• Does not disadvantage the student’s ability to achieve the expected course or program learning outcomes.

For more information, contact the university or visit its website.

Outcomes

Learning outcomes

First Nations community leaders are actively involved in the development of this qualification, ensuring the content is relevant and culturally appropriate. You’ll benefit from Adelaide University’s strong ties and relationships with industry and government – including many leading Aboriginal organisations. This means you’ll learn directly from experts working in the field.

You’ll complete core courses, including:

• Cultural competency: challenging racism in Australian and Indigenous contexts.
• Law and land
• Aboriginal health and wellbeing
• Aboriginal languages, identity and belonging
• Rebuilding Aboriginal nations
• Aboriginal futures
• Indigenous perspectives on globalisation.

In your second year, you’ll choose one elective, then focus on Aboriginal research methodologies and ethics, preparing for a major research project or minor thesis in your area of interest. This project will occupy much of your final year.

You’ll experience a truly collaborative teaching and learning environment. We have experienced Aboriginal professionals in our academic team, each with different insights, expertise and approaches. You’ll also attend guest lectures, engaging with highly respected Aboriginal academics and speakers who are leaders in their field.

Career outcomes

This program can lead to a variety of project, advisory, management and leadership roles in the following settings:

• Government
• Education
• Media and communications
• Law
• Social Work
• Social Policy
• Community service
• Private Sector 
• Corporate
• Research.

You could be a cultural heritage officer, managing and protecting sites of cultural significance. You might guide policy initiatives, liaising with community leaders to identify solutions. Perhaps you’ll be a consultant for film and TV, making sure writers and directors portray First Nations Peoples accurately and respectfully.

You could also be a:

• Community Educator
• Public Servant
• Executive Officer
• Project Manager
• Cultural Adviser
• Community Development Officer
• Art Curator
• Fundraising Coordinator.

Fees and CSP

Estimated student contribution amount for full-time study (1.0 EFTSL - 48 units) in 2026: $17,399 (Commonwealth Supported Place).

Commonwealth-supported students are charged a portion of the cost of their higher education through a student contribution. Where the duration of the program is less than one year, the total cost of the program is displayed.

Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP)

A Commonwealth Supported Place is a higher education place where the Australian Government subsidises your fees so that you only pay a portion through a student contribution amount.

The amount of student contribution you’ll pay depends on:

• Number of courses you are enrolled in.
• Unit value of courses.
• Funding cluster your courses fall under.

A HECS-HELP loan allows students to borrow from the Australian Government to cover some or all of their student contribution. To be eligible for HECS-HELP, you must be studying in a Commonwealth Supported Place.