Master of Research (Design)

Overview

The Master of Research (Design) offers you a pathway into a higher degree by research from an undergraduate degree. During your studies, you'll undertake coursework and supervised research. This program fosters the development of independent research skills, making it ideal preparation if you're looking to undertake further research through a PhD program and/or pursue a career in research.

Get a copy of our course guide

Your industry experience

Internship opportunities are available for Higher Degree by Research students.

Explore Work Integrated Learning

Research areas

Industrial design
New Product Development
Design for Health/MedTech
Humanitarian Design
Communication Design
Information Design

Skills you’ll learn

Independent thinking
Decision-making skills
Good judgement
Logical thought, rationality
Communication skills
Project management skills

Your career opportunities

Academic
Design researcher
Design consultant in industry, government, or not-for-profit
Entrepreneur
Business development
Analyst – policy, market, quantitative

Key codes

CRICOS course code

094718f

VTAC Code (CSP)

International student visa

International students in Australia who hold student visas are required to study full-time and on campus. Courses that are taught entirely online are only available to international students studying outside Australia or those in Australia who are not on a student visa. Online courses are not available to international students in Australia who hold a student visa.

Why Swinburne?

Ranked Top 150 in Art and Design

QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023

Ranked 240 in Architecture and Built Environment

QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023

Source

Qualifications

To be eligible for admission into the Master of Research (MR-INTDES) course, an applicant must have successfully completed the Bachelor of Research (Honours) (BH-INTDES) at Swinburne with a credit average.

Students applying to the Master of Research (MR-INTDES) will automatically be considered for a place in the Bachelor of Research (Honours) (BH-INTDES) and do not need to apply separately for the Bachelor of Research (Honours) program.

A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) can now be done on campus in Hawthorn at Room 132, Building TD. Book now or call +61 3 9214 3584 for more information.

To be eligible for admission into the Master of Research (MR-INTDES) course, an applicant must have successfully completed the Bachelor of Research (Honours) (BH-INTDES) at Swinburne with a credit average.

Admission requirements

Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. Check admission requirements for general information about the admission process.

English language requirements

Satisfactory completion of one of the following:

IELTS overall band of 6.5 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 6.0
Swinburne’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP 5 Advanced level) with overall 70%, all skills 65% or above
or equivalent measures available at English language requirements.

Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?

A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) can now be done at our Hawthorn campus.

Book your Pearson Test of English

Finding your fit

At Swinburne, we recognise that not one size fits all. If this course doesn’t meet all your study criteria, check out these alternatives.

Master of Arts (Research)

Discover more (Master of Arts (Research))
Master of Design (Research)

Discover more (Master of Design (Research))

Course structure

To qualify for the award of Master of Research, students must satisfactorily complete:

Core

20,000

words

Thesis

Master of Research (Design)

PhD Thesis

As part of your final submission, you are required to provide a written research thesis, including associated papers, of up to 60,000 words.

Progress reviews

Progress reviews used to monitor academic progress and provide feedback to candidates at different stages of their candidature. Progress review due dates will vary based on your degree and enrolment status.

Progress reviews process	Due date from enrolment
Preconfirmation review Completion of thesis-related tasks and attendance at research training workshops	3 months
Confirmation of candidature review Completion of thesis-related tasks and attendance at research training workshops	9-12 months
Mid-candidature review Completion of thesis-related tasks and attendance at research training workshops	I2-24 months
Draft thesis review Completion of thesis-related tasks and attendance at research training workshops	33-36 months and follow-up 3 months prior to thesis submission

2025 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$36,300.00

Fees are estimates only

Published student tuition fees for 2025 unit enrolments in HE Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) and Undergraduate Full Fee Paying (FFP) are subject to change based on individual circumstances at enrolment. Fees may vary for units studied in future years, with part-time fees being proportionally lower depending on the number of units taken per semester. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.

Fees are estimates only

The indicative course fees shown apply to international students for the relevant year, based on a standard study load per year. Fees are assessed according to actual study load each semester, with variations to study load resulting in tuition fee adjustments. These fees generally include the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) and are subject to annual review. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.

Government-funded Research training program (RTP)

This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding. To qualify for a government-subsidised place, you must meet various eligibility criteria. The course you’ve applied for must also be offering government-subsidised places. Swinburne will determine your eligibility by conducting a full assessment of your eligibility during the course application process.

Learn more about Skills first government subsidies

How do I pay my fees?

HECS-HELP is a loan and discount scheme available to you if you are eligible and enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place. A HECS-HELP loan can cover all or part of your contribution amount.

Find out more about fees

International students need to pay tuition fees up-front by the relevant due date. You can find the due dates on your Statement of Account.

To pay your fees:

log in to My Finances
check your Australian bank account details are correct
check your Statement of Account to see how much you owe
pay using your preferred payment method.

Learn more about paying your fees

Scholarships

Scholarship applications for 2025 are now open. Our research scholarships are awarded to candidates with exceptional potential who are undertaking doctoral studies. These opportunities seek to promote equity and recognise excellence and achievement.

Please view our guidebook to help determine which documents you’ll need to prepare an application.

Learn more about scholarships

When you apply for a Swinburne course, we automatically consider you for an international scholarship of up to 30 per cent off your course fees – no separate application required! Just apply for your Swinburne course of choice and when we review your course application, we will also assess you for an international scholarship.

Learn more about scholarships

Apply through an agent

Most international students use an education agent to help them through the application process. Swinburne has agents all over the world that can help you with your application to study. Search for a Swinburne representative in your country. If your country is not listed, please contact us.

Representatives and agents

MR-INTDES

Search for agents

Apply for a research degree

Step 1: Decide on a research topic

Your research topic should align with one of the areas of research we are involved in. You can find out about Swinburne's areas of research through our:

Step 2: Find a supervisor

Using the Find a Supervisor tool search for a potential supervisor in your area of interest and contact them directly to discuss supervision. You must find a supervisor for your research project before applying for a research degree. Your application will not be considered unless you have an appropriate and willing supervisor.

Find a supervisor

Step 3: Submit your application

Once you have decided on a research topic and found an appropriate and willing supervisor, you must complete and submit the online application form.

Submit your application

Course code

MR-INTDES

Apply directly

Course code

MR-INTDES

CRICOS code

094718f

Apply directly

Start dates

Location

Last date to apply

Start dates

Location

Start dates

Upcoming research events

Overview

Entry requirements

Study structure

Fees & Scholarships

How to apply

Overview

Your industry experience

Research areas

Skills you’ll learn

Your career opportunities

Key codes

International student visa

Why Swinburne?

Admission requirements

Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?

2025 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

Fees are estimates only

Fees are estimates only