Master of Research

What you'll learn

A research degree is an advanced program of study that allows you to dive into a topic that you are passionate about, enabling you to explore it in great depth and resolve complex intellectual, creative and practical challenges to communicate your findings. 

Completing a research degree opens up a world of opportunity. You may aspire to become a recognised expert in your field. Perhaps you’re looking to access more specialised or higher-paying roles in your industry. Alternatively, you might be looking to make a positive societal impact by translating research into new policy and practice. 

Under the supervision of our world-class researchers, you’ll develop high-level analytical skills and apply advanced research methodologies to explore current knowledge breakthrough and produce new solutions to global challenges. You’ll gain valuable communication skills and the confidence to communicate your research to both specialist and non-specialist audiences. Along the way, Adelaide University will support you in making your ideas public – by submitting your work for publication or presenting it at conferences and forums.

Scholarships available for domestic students

All domestic students accepted into the Master of Research program at Adelaide University will receive a tuition-free place for up to 1.5 years (or part-time equivalent) – effectively exempting domestic students from paying tuition during this period. Eligible students may be able to receive an assistance scholarship from Adelaide University, of similar value to Commonwealth government income support for full-time students. 

Why Adelaide University?

Adelaide University is a future-focused university that combines the strengths of our two founding institutions, the University of South Australia and the University of Adelaide. We deliver nation-leading curriculum and student experience, remove barriers to education, and foster a culture of world-class research excellence.

At Adelaide University, we’re focused on delivering future-making research of scale and focus that can drive discovery, innovation and knowledge-based transformation for South Australia and beyond. Through our vibrant partnerships, we collaborate effectively to create lasting and transformative change.

Our research is grouped in the following five signature research themes:

• Creative & Cultural
• Defence & National Security 
• Food, Agriculture & Wine
• Personal & Societal Health
• Sustainable Green Transition.

With a presence that spans several metropolitan and three regional campuses, Adelaide University is an integral part of the South Australian landscape. The success of our communities – near and far, local and international – is at the heart of everything we do.  

To you, we offer the scale, world-class disciplines, facilities, people and connections to launch you into your future.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, you’ll be able to:

• Demonstrate a developing capacity to conduct independent research.
• Exhibit advanced understanding of current research in your field, including developments and global perspectives.
• Apply analytical, critical and creative thinking to investigate and evaluate research, including prior work in your field.
• Use established research methodologies to address open questions in your field.
• Solve complex problems using logical, critical and creative thinking.
• Consistently uphold ethical standards and demonstrate social responsibility within your discipline.
• Apply well-developed communication skills to effectively convey complex concepts to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
• Demonstrate a capacity to apply the outcomes of research for social, cultural, environmental, and/or economic impact.

Completion requirements

To be awarded the degree of Master of Research, you must complete a 48-unit research project, and 24 units of courses focused on developing your research skills, as outlined below. Six courses (2 units each) are core to the Master of Research:

• Foundations of Research
• Information Resources
• Research Integrity and Ethics
• Research Teams and Projects
• Research Communication
• Research Engagement and Impact.

Graduate research students undertaking research in the disciplines of Earth Sciences, Economics, Finance, Mathematical Sciences, Marketing Science, Philosophy and Physics must complete courses as outlined below. Please refer to the electives rules and notes for further details.

Other graduate research students may either choose from the list of general electives or seek approval for discipline-specific courses aligned to their research. Please talk to your supervisor prior to choosing the elective courses (12 units in total), to ensure these are best aligned to your goals and the research project you will be completing. Please refer to the electives rules and notes for further details.

If you have completed research skills training as part of your prior degree(s) you may be eligible for credit and can reduce the volume of learning as part of your Master of Research. Some applications have the option of applying for substitution if their credit is approved and they wish to complete higher-level research skills training.

While this program was designed with all research disciplines in mind, suitability in some areas (such as Physics and Mathematics) may depend on the proposed research.