Research Degrees
What is a Higher Degree by Research?
Research degrees provide an opportunity to specialise, to gain research skills and to contribute to the development of new knowledge in our society.
VU offers a number of research degrees for which a thesis or other work is the major component of assessment. These include Master degrees by Research, the Doctor of Philosophy degree (PhD) and professional doctorates (e.g. the Doctor of Business Administration and the Doctor of Education).
The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) identifies research degrees as those where the thesis comprises more than 66% of the assessment. Doctoral degrees fall into two categories, PhDs and those doctoral degrees with 30% coursework component, such as the Doctor of Business Administration and the Doctor of Education degrees.
Research does not only take on the traditional form of a thesis but may be submitted in alternative creative forms such as a dance performance or a novel.
In some instances students enrolled in degrees assessed entirely on the examination of the thesis, may be asked to audit one or more coursework subjects (for example, research methodology or statistical subjects) in order to gain some background knowledge relevant to their discipline.
A research degree requires a high level of self motivation and independence of thought and action. Students are expected to plan and manage their own time in the work that they undertake. They must make more judgments about their research as their degree progresses. During the course of the degree the student will experience a definite shift from dependent to independent researcher. The very nature of research means that in the later years of the degree, students' knowledge of their particular topic may outstrip that of their supervisor. This is part of the excitement of research.
Definition of a Master by Research Degree (19KB)
