Master of Applied Research

When you undertake a Master of Applied Research at Victoria University, you'll study crucial topics to set you on the path to success, including research methods, ethics, project-design, and disciplinary expertise relevant to your research.

On passing the units with a 70% average, you’ll begin your own research in a field of personal passion and interest.

For your original thesis, you'll receive expert guidance from leading researchers within our 'Sustainable industries and liveable cities' research group, which includes:

Institute for Sustainable Industries and Liveable Cities Centre of Policy Studies (CoPS) Centre for International Research on Education Systems (CIRES) Moondani Balluk.

In your chosen area of research – as diverse as arts, business, computer science, education, engineering, economics, science, law, and sociology – you'll address important contemporary issues such as:

climate change cultural diversity, arts and social justice technology in future industries, education and related policy urban planning.

Further opportunities exist to complete a Masters of Research in the Institute for Health & Sport.

To attain the Master of Applied Research, students will be required to complete 192 credit points consisting of:

• 36 credit points of core units
• 12 credit points of Advanced Disciplinary learning unit
• 144 credit points of Thesis units

Course structure and units

Core Units

• Introduction to Research Methodology Unit code UGR7001 Credits12
• Research Design and Proposal Development Unit code UGR7002 Credits12
• Research Integrity and Ethics Unit code UGR7003 Credits12

Plus

144 credit points of Thesis Units

And

12 credit points of Advanced Disciplinary learning undertaken through the following flexible curriculum unit, to be negotiated by the supervisor and Master of Applied Research coordinator:

• Enhancing Researcher Knowledge and Skills Unit code UGR7006 Credits12

Thesis Units

Applied Science

• Research Thesis (Full-Time) Unit code SHM8001 Credits48
• Research Thesis (Part-Time) Unit code SHM8011 Credits24

Arts

• Research Thesis (Full-Time) Unit code APR8001 Credits48
• Research Thesis (Part-Time) Unit code APR8011 Credits24

Biomedical Sciences

• Research Thesis 1 Full Time Unit code RBM8001 Credits48
• Research Thesis 1 Part Time Unit code RBM8011 Credits24

Biotechnology

• Research Thesis 1 Full Time Unit code RBT8001 Credits48
• Research Thesis 1 Part Time Unit code RBT8011 Credits24

Business

• Research Thesis (Full-Time) Unit code BMO8010 Credits48
• Research Thesis (Part-Time) Unit code BMO8011 Credits24

Chemical Sciences

• Research Thesis 1 Full Time Unit code RCS8001 Credits48
• Research Thesis 1 Part Time Unit code RCS8011 Credits24

Civil and Building Engineering

• Research Thesis Full Time Unit code VCC8001 Credits48
• Research Thesis (Part-Time) Unit code VCC8011 Credits24

Computer Science and Mathematics

• Research Thesis 1 Full Time Unit code RCM8001 Credits48
• Research Thesis 1 Part Time Unit code RCM8011 Credits24

Education

• Research Thesis (Full-Time) Unit code AER8000 Credits48
• Research Thesis (Part-Time) Unit code AER8001 Credits24

Electrical Engineering

• Research Thesis 1 Full Time Unit code VEE8001 Credits48
• Research Thesis 1 Part Time Unit code VEE8011 Credits24

Environmental and Risk Engineering

• Research Thesis 1 Full Time Unit code VQT8001 Credits48
• Research Thesis 1 Part Time Unit code VQT8011 Credits24

Food Science

• Research Thesis 1 Full Time Unit code RBF8001 Credits48
• Research Thesis 1 Part Time Unit code RBF8011 Credits24

Law and Justice

• Research Thesis (Full-Time) Unit code BLO8010 Credits48
• Research Thesis (Part-Time) Unit code BLO8011 Credits24

Mechanical Engineering

• Research Thesis 1 Full Time Unit code VMR8001 Credits48
• Research Thesis 1 Part Time Unit code VMR8011 Credits24

Nursing

• Research Thesis (Full-Time) Unit code HNM8001 Credits48
• Research Thesis (Part-Time) Unit code HNM8011 Credits24

Physics

• Research Thesis 1 Full Time Unit code RPH8001 Credits48
• Research Thesis 1 Part Time Unit code RPH8011 Credits24

Sport Science

• Research Thesis (Full-Time) Unit code SSR8001 Credits48
• Research Thesis (Part-Time) Unit code SSR8011 Credits24

Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee you entry into this course. Some courses receive more applications than the number of places available. In this situation we will also assess your education, work and other relevant experience.

If you do not meet the minimum requirements you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs. We also encourage you to explore our study pathways to help you reach your goal.

Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.

Entry requirements

Completion of an Australian Bachelor degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with an average grade of Distinction (or equivalent) in the final year.

Pathways from VU courses

There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.

Find out more about pathways and credits.

Credit for skills and past study

If you have completed study with another university or institution and believe you are eligible to receive credit for skills and past study, you can apply for advanced standing.

Applications for advanced standing can be made after a discussion with your course coordinator or academic adviser.

The new Master of Applied Research at VU provides students with the opportunity to undertake and complete a research project under supervision at masters level (AQF 9). It will achieve this by providing students with a range of initial coursework units covering a) the nature and expectation of the research process and b) disciplinary specialisations where appropriate. The research progress will also be scaffolded by milestone requirements ensuring support throughout and quality and timely submission of the research.

AQF level 9 criteria: Graduates at this level will have specialised knowledge and skills for research, and/or professional practice and/or further learning and be able to:

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an advanced understanding of fundamental principles and current debates about ethics and integrity in research;
2. Demonstrate familiarity with relevant national codes and university policies that impact on research practice and appropriate conduct in various research environments;
3. Identify key areas of ethics and integrity that relate to their own area of research practice
4. Demonstrate ability to critically evaluate options and approaches to resolve issues in research integrity and ethics that may arise in their field of research; and
5. Critically defend a position in relation to research ethics and integrity as it relates to their own area of research practice and design of their own research project.
6. Develop skills of advanced written and spoken academic communication.

Application of Knowledge and Skills Graduates of a Master of Applied Research will demonstrate the application of knowledge & 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