Master of Design

The Master of Design by research provides the framework, focus, and discipline necessary for participants to undertake research and develop mastery in their chosen field.

Candidates are supported and engaged in communities of practice where learning is fundamentally a social phenomenon;

where knowledge is integrated in the life of these commumities which share interests, ideas, discourses, and ways of doing things.Upon graduation with a Master of Design degree from RMIT University you will be able to be employed in design research and development positions in a range of industries and design sector organisations;

to pursue freelance practice as designers, artists, curators and producers;

and take positions in galleries, museums, festivals, and non-government organisations.Individually and group supervised research programs are available in areas of Communication Design, Digital Design, and Industrial Design.The Master of Design may be undertaken through a variety of practice research modes, including reflective industry practice, generative practice, and applied practice, or by thesis mode.

Prospective candidates should discuss these modes of research with their potential supervisor/s.

Coursework Courses

NOTE: As of Semester 2, 2019, the program was amended to include two choices of research strategies courses (ARCH1429 or HUSO2361) in order to accommodate students completing their research via thesis.

Complete One (1) of the following Courses:

In consultation with your supervisory team, you may also elect to take:

AND

Project/Thesis Courses

The remaining allocation of credit points for each semester should be made up of the following Courses:

Applicants for masters by research programs must have completed one of the following from a recognised higher education institution:

• a four-year bachelor degree with at least a credit average in the final undergraduate year;
• or
• another recognised award deemed to be equivalent in character and standard to a four-year undergraduate degree, with at least a credit average in the final undergraduate year.

Alternatively, applicants may provide evidence of appropriate academic qualifications and experience that satisfies the Dean of the School of Graduate Research or nominee that the applicant has developed knowledge of the field of study or cognate field and the potential for research sufficient to undertake the proposed program.

For information on international qualifications and corresponding entry requirements that are equivalent to Australian academic entry requirements, see the country eqivalents webpage.

English Language Requirements

A minimum IELTS (academic module) overall score of 6.5, with no band below 6.0; or equivalent. For equivalents to English entry requirements, see the English equivalents webpage.

Selection Tasks

These entrance requirements are the minimum academic standard you must meet in order to be eligible to apply for the program. You will need to complete a selection task as part of your application. See the Postgraduate Research Admission Application Form for more details.

The School of Design does not accept applications to its research programs before a potential applicant has satisfied a Pre-application Process, which should be completed before lodging a formal application with RMIT's School of Graduate Research, or with RMIT International. See the School of Design Guidelines for Prospective HDR Applicants for more details.

Graduates of a Master of Design by research will have:

- a body of knowledge that includes the understanding of recent developments in one or more disciplines

- advanced knowledge of research principles and methods applicable to the field of work or learning

- cognitive skills to demonstrate mastery of theoretical knowledge and to reflect critically on theory and its application

- cognitive, technical and creative skills to investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories and to apply established theories to different bodies of knowledge or practice

- cognitive, technical and creative skills to generate and evaluate complex ideas and concepts at an abstract level

- cognitive and technical skills to design, use and evaluate research and research methods

- communication and technical skills to present a coherent and sustained argument and to disseminate research results to specialist and non-specialist audiences

- technical and communication skills to design, evaluate, implement, analyse, theorise and disseminate research that makes a contribution to knowledge

Graduates of a Master of Design by research will demonstrate the application of these knowledge and skills:

- with creativity and initiative to new situations and/or for further learning

- with high level personal autonomy and accountability

- to plan and execute a substantial piece of research