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Research degrees

A Higher Degree by Research is your chance to pursue a specialist area in your field and build knowledge in your profession. You’ll make discoveries and we’ll help turn them into real-world outcomes that are highly valued by academia, industry and society.
Home Study Research degrees

Types of research degree

We offer research degrees in most disciplines, for those who hold a master degree or bachelor degree with first or upper-second class honours.

At least two-thirds of these degrees are pure research. Although you may need to complete some coursework units, the major part of the work will be in the form of a thesis written under the guidance of a supervisor.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Uncover new knowledge, either by the discovery of new facts, the formulation of theories or the innovative interpretation of established data.

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

Become a highly skilled, critical thinking and practical manager who can read, carry out and apply the results of a research initiative.

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Contribute to the growth of the education profession and the discipline itself.

Doctor of Sustainable Development (DrSUSDEV)

Develop a critical understanding of the complex issues that lay at the frontier of sustainable development, from an inter-disciplinary and trans-disciplinary context.

Master of Philosophy (MPhil)

Expand your knowledge beyond the undergraduate honours and postgraduate diploma level with a degree that culminates in a research thesis.

Master of Research (MRes)

Obtain a research master qualification by completing one year of study in addition to your honours year.

Collaborative PhD program

The Collaborative PhD is a prestigious program where research students are co-supervised by academics from Curtin University and one of Curtin’s international partner institutions.

 How to apply Browse research projects

Discovery begins with Curtin research

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While we can’t predict the future, we do know that research at Curtin is working towards making tomorrow better.

Find out more by exploring Curtin research

Funding and scholarships

There are a variety of funding and scholarship options available to provide you with financial assistance during your research program. This can include a living stipend, a tuition fee offset or a combination of both.

Browse funding opportunities

What you can expect

Training and development

Our training and development programs for research candidates will boost your academic, professional and transferable skills.

Powerful industry connections

We’re highly engaged with a range of industry, government and academic partners, including BHP, Chevron, NASA and CSIRO.

Highest median salary in WA

Curtin graduates with a research degree earned the highest median salaries among their graduate peers in WA, and the equal second highest in Australia.

2018 Graduate Outcomes Survey

What’s happening

Master of Research

The Master of Research (MRes) is a research program that enables honours students to expand their honours research project into a master level project. In doing so, you can obtain a research master qualification by completing one year of study in addition to your honours year.

Applications are open to current Curtin students enrolled in the final unit of their honours program. To enrol in the Master of Research, your honours program must be the end-on type, and not an embedded honours program.

Those expecting to receive a final grade of first or upper-second class honours are eligible for entry into the Master of Research. Those who have already been awarded their Honours degree are ineligible to apply.

For more information, contact the Graduate Research School.
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