Higher Degree Research

Higher degrees are the training platform to become an independent researcher. These degrees allow you to become a leader in the working environment and are generally one of the pre-requisites to senior management levels in commercial organisations or academic positions. We provide our HDR students with supervisors who are experts in their disciplines, which means in most cases students will also work with other experts all across the world as a normal part of training to be an independent researcher. HDR students have their own workspace, computer and access to our laboratories which have the latest equipment.

Who can apply for a Masters, can it bridge to a PhD?
There are different Masters programs: either Master (Hons) which are based on a substantial research project that normally run for 1-2yrs and Masters by coursework which are more targeted at improving professional skills and may or may not involve a small research project. A completed MSc(Hons) provides a strong platform to gain entry into a PhD and also compete for scholarships. There is also the possibility to upgrade the MSc (Hons) to a PhD given strong performance in the research project. The MSc coursework can be used as an entry to a PhD but it unlikely by itself to enable the applicant to gain living allowance scholarships.

Are Masters courses suitable for people with a strong professional background?
The Masters by coursework programs are designed to given graduates professional skills in designated areas relevant to their area of work.

A Masters degree is an opportunity to increase your skills in? 
A MSc (Hons) develops your skills in critically analyse and as a researcher. It enables you to develop technical skills in specialist areas related to your area of work. It also empowers you to be a communicator at a high level, being able to present complicated scientific information to both specialist and lay audiences through written, visual and oral means.
The MSc (coursework) enables you gain expertise in research and critical analyse in addition to specialist knowledge and technical skills in a chosen area of study.

What graduate opportunities are available after the Master degree?
The skill provided by a MSc (Hons) gives the graduate opportunities in both research and technical positions within Universities government and private enterprise. Similarly there are opportunities as laboratory managers and opportunities within management in both government and private enterprise. The MSc (coursework) will enhance your professional skills and experise in your chosen area of study .

What is the program of study for Masters?

  • MSc (Hons). One to two year programme generally follow the following pattern:
    • Pre-starting contact potential supervisor to determine nature and suitability of project
    • 0-6 months background reading, work out experimental plan, ensure training on equipment essential to studies
    • Confirmation of candidature
    • 6 months -1.5 years carry out experimental work
    • 1.5 years to 2 years write thesis
    • Completion of a thesis

What is the study mode for Masters?

  • MSc(Hons) One to two years full time , two to four years part time
  • MSc (Coursework) One year full-time or two years part-time.

What are the entry requirements for Masters?
Eligibility for admission is based on the following:

  • an appropriate undergraduate degree OR
  • graduate certificate or graduate diploma in addition to one year of relevant work experience

Who can apply for a PhD program?
If you are interested in research and see that research would be an intimate part of your future career, then you should consider doing a PhD. Typically, you need first class honours or a MSc(Hons) to obtain a scholarship which provides a living allowance in addition to paying your fees. However, many people with Level 1 Class 2 honours also obtain these scholarships. There are are other scholarship which only pay for fees but not for a living allowance which can be obtained with less than Level 1 or equivalent. You can still do a PhD without a scholarship, but you need some way of paying for the fees and to support yourself while doing the PhD. Part-time is an option, but you would have to find a project that is suitable to part-time study.
 
A PhD allows you to increase your skills in which areas?
A PhD enables you to become an independent thinker and researcher as well as be able to critically analyse your own ideas and those of others. It develops high level technical skills in specialist areas which may span laboratory work, field studies, and scientific education. It also empowers you to be a communicator at the highest level, being able to present complicated scientific information to both specialist and lay audiences through written, visual and oral means.

What graduate opportunities are available after the PhD?
The skill provided by a PhD gives the graduate many diverse opportunities. In universities there are positions in Academia (research and teaching) and research only positions, research positions in government research organisations such as CSIRO and private enterprise. Similarly there are opportunities as senior laboratory managers moving onto senior management in both government and business organisations.

Apply now
You should apply for admission on-line

What is the program of study for PhD?
  • Three year programme generally follow the following pattern:
  • Pre-starting contact potential supervisor to determine nature and suitability of project
  • 0-6 months background reading, work out experimental plan, ensure training on equipment essential to studies
  • Confirmation of candidature
  • 6 months -2.5 years carry out experimental work
  • 2.5 years to 3 years write thesis
  • Completion of a thesis


  What is the study mode for PhD?
  Three year full-time or six years part-time.

  • The study mode for a PhD varies depending upon the project. Those which are laboratory or fieldwork based are normally carried out in the laboratory or the field. Others involve education and surveys.
What are the entry requirements for PhD?
Eligibility for admission is based on the following:
  • the candidate has demonstrated research experience gained either:
  • in undergraduate studies,
  • in postgraduate studies
  • during employment in a research based job. 
  • It is also expected that the candidate will have a very good academic record. 
  • The candidate has a sufficiently good grasp of English to communicate effectively and to be able to write a thesis.
  • The student needs to nominate a project or research area that is compatible with the Schools Research and staff profiles.

How do I choose a supervisor?
Use the School of Science Potential Supervisors to find academics who are currently doing research in areas that are of interest to you. Then contact the relevant academics to see if they are available to supervise and discuss possible projects.