What is a research degree?

The Federal Government Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) defines a research higher degree as a university program which has two thirds of its requirements as supervised research leading to a thesis.

Research higher degree students (also called candidates) must submit a written thesis for examination by two examiners. The thesis must make a contribution to knowledge and demonstrate the capacity to conduct independent research.

How does the Australian system differ to those elsewhere?

In the Australian system of postgraduate research there are generally two major degree types:

Masters by Research (also called Honours Masters), which:

• generally expect the equivalent of one or two years of full time study depending on entry requirements.
• may include coursework as preparation for a thesis component.

Doctoral degrees:

• Traditionally Australian Doctorates have followed the British model, comprising of independent study realised in a thesis.
• Recently, however, a number of universities including the University of Wollongong have also introduced Professional Doctorates where up to one third of the requirement may be a structured course of study.

How does a postgraduate research degree compare to a postgraduate coursework degree?

A postgraduate research degree must include no more that one third of that degree as coursework.

Coursework postgraduate degrees may have all or the majority of their requirements met by the completion of coursework subjects in a particular discipline or professional area.

What qualifications do I need to do a higher research degree?

Specific qualifications vary from one Faculty to another, and for a Masters by Research as compared to a Doctoral degree.

A Bachelor Degree at the standard of Honours Class II Division 2 or higher, or approved equivalent qualification, is generally accepted for both degrees.

For further information see Faculty information.