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You can graduate with a Doctor of Philosophy in just three years. If you’re studying full-time this program will need to be completed within four years. Alternatively, if you’re studying part-time you will have up to eight years to complete your studies.

When studied full-time, our Master of Research can be completed in two years and has a maximum duration of four years. 

We know that life, work and study can be a lot to juggle, so part-time study is often available for HDR students.

Entry requirements for a research degree focus on your previous academic achievement and your readiness to undertake independent research. To qualify for a Master of Research in Australia, you need to have completed a bachelor honours degree or an equivalent level of academic preparation. You may also be eligible for entry with a relevant master’s degree that includes a research component, such as a thesis or substantial project. These requirements help determine who is eligible for a Masters by Research in Australia and ensure you have the foundation needed for higher level research.

PhD entry requirements are similar but more advanced. You can apply for a PhD with an honours degree, a master’s degree that includes research, or other qualifications and experience assessed as equivalent. In some cases, you can do a PhD without a master’s in Australia if your honours or professional research experience shows you are prepared for doctoral study. You can also do research with just a master’s if the program included a strong research component. 

All applicants must also meet UniSQ’s  which typically include an IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent. If you do not meet the language requirement, you may be able to complete a university-approved English language program. If you have any questions regarding entry requirements, please contact grs@unisq.edu.au.

Firstly, we’re so glad you’re considering UniSQ – if we’re able to take you on as a student we will! Our ability to accept HDR students depends on the supervisors available within specific fields. To find out if we have someone able to support you in your chosen area of study, search our ; more information is available via Find Your Research Topic. 

If you can't find a suitable supervisor, please contact the Graduate Research School for assistance. You can apply without listing a supervisor, however this might delay your admission.

Once you’ve found a potential supervisor, please reach out to them via email. Introduce yourself and briefly outline your proposed project – about 500 words will do. All going well, you will then meet with your supervisor and be asked to complete a Preliminary Research Thesis Topic Proposal. 

For more information, please contact grs@unisq.edu.au.

An may provide support in one or more of the following ways:

• A RTP Fees Offset Scholarship pays all tuition fees for a domestic HDR student, however, this doesn’t include Student Services Amenities Fee or other student fees.
• A RTP Stipend Scholarship supports the general living costs of an HDR student through fortnightly, tax-free payments for the standard duration of the academic program.
• A RTP Scholarship Allowance assists students with ancillary costs incurred during study. Ancillary costs may include, but are not limited to:
  • Standard Overseas Student Health Cover for either the student or the student, their spouse and any dependents.
  • Relocation costs.
  • Higher Degree by Research thesis printing and academic publication costs. 

If you have any questions, please email grs@unisq.edu.au.

Doctor of Philosophy
¾«¶«´«Ã½apping a PhD is not like other degrees, there are no formal teaching periods or breaks. Students work with their supervisory team to complete their research and set their timelines; they can apply for annual leave as needed. When starting out, you’re able to begin your PhD at one of the eight intakes throughout the year.

Master of Research 
The Master of Research is offered in the Trimester academic calendar which provides a great deal of flexibility to allow you to speed up or slow down your studies. It has three intakes throughout the year: Trimester 1 (January), Trimester 2 (May) or Trimester 3 (September). You can study in all three trimesters in a calendar year and still have a break (approx. 6 weeks) in your studies over the end of year holiday period.

No, HDR students do not have class attendance requirements, unless they're enrolled in a research training course. Unlike coursework students, HDR students remain enrolled in a research project throughout the duration of their program and are expected to conduct independent research under the guidance of their supervisory team.

A Master of Research is a great option if you want to build strong research skills, prepare for a PhD or move into roles that require advanced investigation and analytical abilities. It gives you the opportunity to carry out an independent research project, work closely with academic supervisors and deepen your expertise in a specialised area. For many students, it is a valuable step toward a research-focused career or further postgraduate study.

Career outcomes depend on your field, but a Master of Research can lead to roles in research assistance, policy development, industry analysis, government, consulting and organisations that value strong evidence based decision making. If you are wondering what you can do with a Master of Research, it can open pathways both inside and outside academia by demonstrating advanced problem solving and project management skills.

You can become a researcher without a PhD in many industries, especially in applied research settings, government agencies, business and non profit organisations. However, a PhD is usually required for academic research and university teaching roles.

A Master by Research, a Coursework Master and a PhD are all higher level university qualifications, but they differ in purpose, structure and the type of learning they focus on. A Master of Research in Australia is a postgraduate research degree centered on independent investigation. Students complete a substantial research project under academic supervision and develop strong skills in critical thinking, analysis and academic writing. This type of degree is a pathway toward further research or a PhD.

A Coursework Master focuses on structured learning through set subjects, assessments and practical application. It is designed to deepen your professional knowledge and skills in a specific field. When considering the difference between a master’s and a master’s of research, the key distinction is that coursework programs emphasise taught content, while research masters focus almost entirely on original research.

A PhD is the highest level of research study. It requires completing a major original research project that contributes new knowledge to your field. A master’s by research is not the same as a PhD, but it is often used as preparation for one. In terms of a research degree vs PhD, both involve research, but a PhD is more extensive and requires a greater level of academic contribution.