Research students

Download the postgraduate research guide: ResearchUSC—Higher Degrees by Research (PDF 2.4MB)

Research training is central to USC’s research effort. USC undertakes research training that is internationally, nationally and locally significant in applied genetics in primary production, regional sustainability and health. 

USC's research concentrations are currently undergoing a period of rapid development and growth in recently established centres and clusters.

High quality research supervision—increasingly aligned with USC’s areas of research concentration—enables research graduates to make strong contributions to research and development that advances academic enquiry and Australia’s economy, society, culture and environment.

USC offers a range of higher degrees by research and postgraduate coursework programs.  By undertaking a higher degree by research, you can seek the answers to your own questions, make an original contribution to human knowledge, enhance your career prospects in industry or academia, and perform high-level research in a specific area of academic interest.

What is a Higher Degree by Research?

A Higher Degree by Research (HDR) is a supervised research program that requires original research in an area that both interests you and is of broader significance to the University and the community.

Research masters degrees require you to make a significant contribution of merit through advanced research, study and production of a work in a scholarly branch of learning, while doctoral degrees expect you to make a substantial original contribution to knowledge through your research.

Doctoral programs typically take three to four years to complete and Masters programs around 18 months to two years studying full-time. Part-time study will double these timeframes.

HDRs may include advanced coursework. However, all programs must include a major research component that comprises at least two thirds of the total candidature requirements.

All HDRs are governed by the relevant governing policy—Doctoral Degrees Governing Policy or Research Masters Degrees Governing Policy. To examine these and other related policies, visit www.usc.edu.au/policy

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Why do a Higher Degree by Research?

A Higher Degree by Research (HDR) is an academic degree that will enhance your future career and life opportunities in industry or academia. But like all good things in life, getting to the top of your game requires substantial effort, stamina and more than a little bit of inspiration.

An HDR tells employers that:
  • You are capable of spending weeks or months diligently working to discover new truths, evaluating alternative approaches and recommending ways forward based on intellectually solid evidence.
  • You can be trusted to work autonomously or in a small group, pursuing ideas and solutions that contradict ‘common sense’ or ‘received wisdom’ in your field.

You will make an original contribution to human knowledge creating new products, new markets, new theories and new work for others to follow in your footsteps.

Industry and academia alike hire and relocate good people with HDRs from all around the world. On completion of your HDR you can choose to pursue further research and a career in academia, start your own company, undertake research in a government or business organisation, manage large businesses, or a combination of any of these rewarding options.

Who is eligible for admission to an HDR?

Admission to Master by Research programs

Candidates applying for admission for Master by Research candidature are normally required to hold a bachelors degree with at least Honours Class 2 Division I or Division II from a recognised higher education institution.

In some programs, applicants who have completed a bachelors degree and have achieved by subsequent work and study a standard equivalent to at least Honours Class 2 Division II may also be considered.

In exceptional cases, applications may be considered on the basis of other evidence of general and professional qualifications as approved by the Research Degrees Committee. Refer to your program of interest for specific admission requirements.

If English is not your first language, you must meet the minimum English language requirements. English as a Second Language (ESL) candidates must demonstrate an IELTs score of 6.5 or equivalent.

Admission to Doctoral Research programs

Candidates applying for admission to Doctoral Research programs are normally required to hold a research masters degree or a bachelors honours degree with at least Honours Class 2 Division I from a recognised higher education institution.

Applicants who have completed a bachelors degree and have achieved by subsequent work and study a standard equivalent to at least Honours Class 2 Division I may also be considered.

In exceptional cases, applications may be considered on the basis of other evidence of general and professional qualifications as approved by the Research Degrees Committee.

If English is not your first language, you must meet the minimum English language requirements. English as a Second Language (ESL) candidates must demonstrate an IELTs score of 6.5 or equivalent.

Research supervision and support

Supervision

HDR students are required to have one Principal Supervisor (who has been admitted to USC’s Register of Principal Supervisors) and at least one Co-Supervisor
(who may be external to USC).

The Research Supervision Agreement (RSA) was introduced to facilitate good communication between supervisors and candidates; encourage supervisors and candidates to develop a common understanding of the framework within which USC’s Higher Degrees by Research operate; assist in the development and implementation of sound project management practices; focus attention on candidate progress; and generally support high-quality supervision. The RSA is due to be submitted to the Office of Research within the first two months of candidature.

Support

HDR candidates at USC are offered a wide range of supporting infrastructure. The Graduate Centre is an open-plan office space intended to offer an ‘HDR hub’ where students can work together and increase connectivity among students. There are 24 PC’s and workstations including two hot desks available for ad-hoc users. Students with an allocated space are also provided with a lockable filing cabinet, shelf space, copier/printing allocation and USC network and email accounts.

The Office of Research coordinates the Research Essentials program each year. This is a series of workshops and seminars on a variety of topics that students have requested training or information on through their six-monthly progress reports. Topics covered in 2010 include SPSS and NVivo workshops, “Life After the Research Degree”, “Preparing for submission and examination”, “Preparing for Confirmation”, “Working with your Supervisor”, “Intellectual Property and YOUR thesis” and “Negotiating with Publishers”, to name a few.

Research Graduate attributes

Graduates of USC higher degree programs should demonstrate evidence of the following attributes on graduation:

  1. Conceptual knowledge appropriate to the level of study in a specific field or fields of research or discipline area/s
  2. Scholarly and critical engagement with the discourse/s of a specific field or fields of research or discipline area/s
  3. Refined capacities to manage knowledge production and dissemination in a specific field or fields of research or discipline area/s
  4. Advanced levels of communication in a range of genres using a range of media with a diverse array of audiences
  5. Capacities to contribute to international, national and local contexts through scholarly, autonomous and independent thinking, problem-solving and decision-making based on expertise in a specific field of research or discipline area/s
  6. Respect for ethical and legal responsibilities and socially responsive and culturally inclusive decision-making as integral to research design, implementation and dissemination
  7. Ability to work creatively through research to produce new ideas, approaches or actions

Enquiries 

For more information, USC research students can access more resources via the USC portal, or contact the Office of Research.

Research Training Administrator
Tel: +61 7 5456 5890
Email: researchtraining@usc.edu.au

Download the postgraduate research guide: ResearchUSC—Higher Degrees by Research (PDF 2.4MB)Research Training Administrator
Office of Research—ML26
University of the Sunshine Coast
Locked Bag 4
Maroochydore DC QLD 4558
Australia

Download the postgraduate research guide: Research USC—Higher Degrees by Research (PDF 2.4MB)

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