Masters by Research

A research degree is an advanced program of study allowing you to investigate a topic relevant to your field.

Under the supervision of world-class researchers, research degree students learn and apply advanced research methodologies to produce new knowledge and provide solutions to the world’s challenges.

Completing a research degree means becoming an expert in your field.

It’s your opportunity to take a topic that interests you, explore it in depth, tackle intellectual, creative and practical challenges, and communicate your findings.

You can study a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Professional Doctorate, Doctor of Philosophy (by Portfolio of Publications) and Masters by Research.

Research degrees offered at UniSA Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) .axcls-1{fill-rule:evenodd} MORE ABOUT WHAT IS A RESEARCH DEGREE

Entry requirements

A research degree is an advanced program of study allowing you to investigate a topic relevant to your field. Under the supervision of world-class researchers, research degree students learn and apply advanced research methodologies to produce new knowledge and provide solutions to the world’s challenges. Completing a research degree means becoming an expert in your field. It’s your opportunity to take a topic that interests you, explore it in depth, tackle intellectual, creative and practical challenges, and communicate your findings.

You can study a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Professional Doctorate, Doctor of Philosophy (by Portfolio of Publications) and Masters by Research.

Research degrees offered at UniSA

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

UniSA research is inspired by the challenges and opportunities of today. In the 2018 Australian Research Council Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) evaluation of Australian universities, all of our assessed research was rated at world class or above. We are vibrant, outward-facing and responsive. We partner with industry, government and communities to seek answers to questions that arise in the real world. Our research themes are:

• An age friendly world
• Transforming industries
• Scarce resources
• Cancer
• Healthy futures
• Transforming societies

Learn more about our research themes.

The transformed PhD

UniSA intends to deliver industry and end-user informed research that supports employer-relevant curriculum. To achieve this, and to produce entrepreneurial and business-aware graduates, we have developed the transformed PhD.

We have added a structured component to research degrees including enhanced skill development, supervisory panels and a technology-enabled oral defence of the thesis. Through these activities you will develop a set of professional, transferable skills relevant to our knowledge-based enterprise economy.

The aim of the transformed PhD is to increase your employment prospects in any career path. You will possess the knowledge, expertise and confidence to meet the emerging needs of academia, industry, government and the community.

Four good reasons to do a research degree

1. Challenge yourself. You will need to work hard, be dedicated and think analytically at a high level. You will tackle completely new research and different research methods, or extend research already undertaken.
2. Increase your career opportunities. A research degree provides evidence of independent thought and the ability to manage a research project in a given timeframe. Your research could allow you to develop a new specialisation, academic field or career. A research degree at UniSA will also allow you to develop a skillset which sets you apart, putting you at the centre of your professional development.
3. Make your ideas public. Your research findings may be published, presented at conferences, provide a commercial return and have a positive impact on society.
4. Contribute to society. Discover new methods, understandings and techniques, and solve a real-world problem.

UniSA STEM

When you study a research degree with UniSA STEM, you are immersed in a flourishing technology hub of theoretical, applied and cross-disciplinary research. Our innovative degrees will provide you with advanced academic and professional research skills. The majority of research degrees are offered at Mawson Lakes Campus, however some aspects may be offered at the City East or City West Campuses.

Engineering

We welcome applications – and have supervisory teams available – in mechanical engineering, robotics, mechatronics, agricultural engineering, sustainable energy, nano-technology, nano composite, advanced manufacturing technology, supply chain management, manufacturing management, signal processing, wireless sensor networks, telecommunication networks, applied physics, biological motion processing, autonomous systems, systems engineering, engineering management, socio-technical systems, complex systems, autonomous systems, unmanned systems, and robotic systems, geotechnical, structural and other civil engineering specialisations, construction management, project management, geomatics, geospatial Information science; including remote sensing, and land surveying.

Science, Technology & Mathematics

We welcome applications – and have supervisory teams available – in computer science, information technology, forensic computing, information management, applied mathematics, mathematical modelling, optimisation and operations research, statistics, biometrics, bioinformatics, biological image analysis, computational biology, mathematical biology, telecommunications, information theory, biodiversity, environmental science, ecology, conservation, biodiversity, soil science, and plant physiology, and environmental specialisations.

Another study option is Dual Awards where students study their program in partnership with another institution. Further information is available here. These include:

• Dual Award with Copenhagen
• CoTutelle with IMT Atlantique (a school of the Institute Mines Telecom)
• Dual Award with UCL (University College London)

Research Education Portfolio Leaders: Professor John Boland, Dr Jorge Ochoa Paniagua, Professor Shahraam Afshar Dr Guna Hewa Alankarage; Dr Justin Payne, Dr Xing Ma, Dr Diane Velasquez, A/Prof Albert Juhasz, A/Prof Drew Evans and Dr Rick Fabretto.

For more information about a research degree with us, please contact STEM-Research@unisa.edu.au

To find a research area, you'll need to match your qualifications and interests to the research programs and degrees offered at the University of South Australia. Browse our research degrees. Once you’ve done that, you will need to find a supervisor. A supervisor is an academic staff member who will work with you throughout your research degree. In your online application we will ask you to provide the name of your proposed UniSA supervisor. Learn more and find a research supervisor.

A scholarship can allow you to focus on your research without needing to do paid work. Scholarships are offered for Australian and international students looking to undertake a research degree. There are also high achiever scholarships, vacation research scholarships and Vice Chancellor and President’s scholarships.

Your career

A Masters by Research will give you a competitive edge in the workplace. You may choose to pursue a career in academia, or in research with a research institution or university. Alternatively, you may choose to work in your chosen specialisation.

A research degree graduate of the University of South Australia:

• understands current research based knowledge in their field and its methodologies for creating new knowledge. They can create, critique, and appraise new and significant knowledge
• is prepared for lifelong learning in pursuit of ongoing personal development and excellence in research within and beyond a discipline or professional area
• is an effective problem solver, capable of applying logical, critical and creative thinking to a range of research problems
• can work both autonomously and collaboratively as a researcher within a particular discipline or professional area and within wider but related areas
• is committed to ethical action and social responsibility as a researcher in a discipline or professional area and as a leading citizen
• communicates effectively as a researcher in a discipline or professional area and as a leading member of the community
• demonstrates international perspectives in research in a discipline or professional area and as a leading citizen.

Before applying, you will need to do some investigation. Our seven-step guide will take you through the process of preparing your application to maximise your chances of success.

Research degree applications are made through our Apply Online facility, a secure step-by-step online service. Please check the research degrees calendar for all key dates.

We have six campuses in metropolitan and regional areas, each with advanced facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, laboratories, and areas that simulate real work environments.