Master of Research

During your Master of Research at Victoria University, your study will be individualised according to your academic background.

You'll gain crucial skills in research ethics and project design.

Then you'll either study further research methods, or a disciplinary component 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).

VU also offers exceptional opportunities for research into Indigenous history and society, in our Moondani Balluk research unit.

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 policy urban planning.

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

To attain the Masters of Applied Research, students will be required to complete 144 credit points consisting of:

• 36 credit points of combination of core units and disciplinary units (depending on entry point listed below)

• 108 credit points of Thesis units

Course structure and units

Core Units

• Research Design and Proposal Development Unit code UGR7002 Credits12
• Research Integrity and Ethics Unit code UGR7003 Credits12

Plus

Students with AQF7 qualification in a cognate discipline

• Introduction to Research Methodology Unit code UGR7001 Credits12

Or

Students with AQF8 qualification in a non-cognate discipline

• Enhancing Researcher Knowledge and Skills Unit code UGR7006 Credits12

Thesis Units

• Research Thesis Unit code UGR8001 Credits12

Applied Science

• Research Thesis (Full-Time) Unit code SHM8001 Credits48
• Research Thesis (Part-Time) Unit code SHM8011 Credits24
• Research Thesis (Part-Time) Unit code AHZ8021 Credits12

Arts

• Research Thesis (Full-Time) Unit code APR8001 Credits48
• Research Thesis (Part-Time) Unit code APR8011 Credits24
• Research Thesis (Part-Time) Unit code APR8021 Credits12

Biomedical Sciences

• Research Thesis 1 Full Time Unit code RBM8001 Credits48
• Research Thesis 1 Part Time Unit code RBM8011 Credits24
• Research Thesis (Part-Time) Unit code RBM8021 Credits12

Biotechnology

• Research Thesis 1 Full Time Unit code RBT8001 Credits48
• Research Thesis 1 Part Time Unit code RBT8011 Credits24
• Research Thesis (Part-Time) Unit code RBT8021 Credits12

Business

• Research Thesis (Full-Time) Unit code BMO8010 Credits48
• Research Thesis (Part-Time) Unit code BMO8011 Credits24
• Research Thesis (Part-Time) Unit code BMO8021 Credits12

Chemical Sciences

• Research Thesis 1 Full Time Unit code RCS8001 Credits48
• Research Thesis 1 Part Time Unit code RCS8011 Credits24
• Research Thesis (Part-Time) Unit code RCS8021 Credits12

Civil and Building Engineering

• Research Thesis Full Time Unit code VCC8001 Credits48
• Research Thesis (Part-Time) Unit code VCC8011 Credits24
• Research Thesis (Part-Time) Unit code VCC8021 Credits12

Computer Science and Mathematics

• Research Thesis 1 Full Time Unit code RCM8001 Credits48
• Research Thesis 1 Part Time Unit code RCM8011 Credits24
• Research Thesis (Part-Time) Unit code RCM8021 Credits12

Education

• Research Thesis (Full-Time) Unit code AER8000 Credits48
• Research Thesis (Part-Time) Unit code AER8001 Credits24
• Research Thesis (Part-Time) Unit code AER8021 Credits12

Electrical Engineering

• Research Thesis 1 Full Time Unit code VEE8001 Credits48
• Research Thesis 1 Part Time Unit code VEE8011 Credits24
• Research Thesis (Part-Time) Unit code VEE8021 Credits12

Environmental and Risk Engineering

• Research Thesis (Full-Time) Unit code VQT8003 Credits48
• Research Thesis (Part-Time) Unit code VQT8013 Credits24
• Research Thesis (Part-Time) Unit code VQT8021 Credits12

Food Science

• Research Thesis 1 Full Time Unit code RBF8001 Credits48
• Research Thesis 1 Part Time Unit code RBF8011 Credits24
• Research Thesis (Part-Time) Unit code RBF8021 Credits12

Law and Justice

• Research Thesis (Full-Time) Unit code BLO8010 Credits48
• Research Thesis (Part-Time) Unit code BLO8011 Credits24
• Research Thesis (Part-Time) Unit code BLO8021 Credits12

Mechanical Engineering

• Research Thesis 1 Full Time Unit code VMR8001 Credits48
• Research Thesis 1 Part Time Unit code VMR8011 Credits24
• Research Thesis (Part-Time) Unit code VMR8021 Credits12

Nursing

• Research Thesis (Full-Time) Unit code HNM8001 Credits48
• Research Thesis (Part-Time) Unit code HNM8011 Credits24
• Research Thesis (Part-Time) Unit code HNM8021 Credits12

Physics

• Research Thesis 1 Full Time Unit code RPH8001 Credits48
• Research Thesis 1 Part Time Unit code RPH8011 Credits24
• Research Thesis (Part-Time) Unit code RPH8021 Credits12

Sport Science

• Research Thesis (Full-Time) Unit code SSR8001 Credits48
• Research Thesis (Part-Time) Unit code SSR8011 Credits24
• Research Thesis (Part-Time) Unit code AHZ8121 Credits12

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 the same discipline with an average grade of Distinction (or equivalent) in the final year.ORCompletion of an Australian Bachelor Honours degree (or equivalent) in a different discipline with an average grade of Distinction (or equivalent).

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 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. (Please note: students with different entry levels into the MRes program may be eligible for Advanced Standing for particular units. For example, a student with a AQF Level 7 degree in the same discipline in which they will undertake their research degree will gain Advanced Standing for 1 unit of disciplinary studies.) 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:

Knowledge

1. Critically review a body of knowledge that includes the understanding of recent developments in one or more disciplines
2. Demonstrate advanced knowledge of research principles and methods applicable to the field of work or learning

Skills

1. Conceptually map and critically evaluate theoretical knowledge and to reflect critically on its application to the chosen field
2. Develop high level cognitive, technical and creative skills with which to investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories and to apply established theories to different bodies of knowledge or practice
3. Develop high level cognitive, technical and creative skills required to generate, evaluate and synthesise complex ideas and concepts at an abstract level
4. Analyse, critique and implement cognitive and technical skills required to design, use and evaluate research and research methods
5. Develop effective communication and technical skills required to present a coherent and sustained argument and to disseminate research results to specialist and non-specialist audiences
6. Demonstrate expertise in the technical and communication skills required to design, evaluate, implement, analyse, theorise and disseminate research that makes a contribution to knowledge.

Application of Knowledge and Skills Graduates of a Master of 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