Key facts
Duration
Locations
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course overview
Do you want to research pressing issues in business? The Master of Research (Business) degree is a two-year course that will develop your research capabilities, expose you to the latest thinking in your chosen field or discipline, and immerse you in a research project of your own. This course is a pathway to a research-focused career in industry and offers a gateway to the PhD in Business and Law for those who want to pursue an academic career.
In the first year of your Master of Research (Business) you will complete research training coursework units, covering the research thought process, research methods and the current state of theory in your chosen field or discipline.
The second year is devoted to a major research project on a question of interest to you (subject to supervisor approval) and includes your Research Proposal and Research Dissertation/Thesis.
Read MoreCourse information
- Award granted
- Master of Research (Business)
- Year
2023 course information
- Deakin code
- M820
- CRICOS code?
- 109089C Burwood (Melbourne)
- Level
- Higher Degree Research
Course structure
To qualify for the award, students must complete 8 credit points in the first year and successfully complete a research thesis in the second year.
First Year
The coursework units in the first year comprise:
• 3 core units (4 credit points)
• 2 course research methods electives (2 credit points)
• 2 course discipline electives (2 credit points)
Second Year
Students are required to complete a major thesis dissertation, MPR802 Master Research. Students will be required to independently execute the proposed research project. The length of the research dissertation will be a maximum of 20,000 words.
Progression from Year 1 to Year 2:
Progression from the first year to the second year of the Master of Research (Business) is not automatic. Students obtain admission into the program for the first year. Progression into the second year is conditional on achieving a 75% average in the first-year coursework. Students who have completed the first year, but do not meet the requirements to progress to the second year will be eligible to exit the program with a Graduate Diploma of Business Research.
To be eligible to apply for the PhD program in the Faculty of Business and Law, students will need to have attained 80% or higher in their second-year research thesis.
Core Units
^This unit is worth 2 credit points
Course Research Methods Electives
Students must select two credit points of units (one in T1 and one in T2)
Trimester 1:
Trimester 2:
Course Discipline Electives
Students must complete two credit points of units (one in T1 and one in T2). The T2 unit must be in the same discipline stream as the T1 unit as listed below:
Accounting
Trimester 1:
Trimester 2:
Economics
Trimester 1:
Trimester 2:
Finance
Trimester 1:
Trimester 2:
Information Systems and Business Analytics
Trimester 1:
Trimester 2:
Management
Trimester 1:
Trimester 2:
Marketing
Trimester 1:
Trimester 2:
Sport Management
Trimester 1:
Trimester 2:
Research Dissertation
Students will be required to independently execute the proposed research project (MPR802 Masters Research). The length of the research dissertation will be a maximum of 20,000 words. Students will be required to have their research proposal confirmed in March before they can embark on developing their research thesis.
Consistent with other HDR degrees, students in the MRes(Bus) will be supervised by two supervisors. Supervisors will be appointed at the start of Year 2, although opportunities for students to interact with potential supervisors will be incorporated throughout Year 1 of the MRes(Bus).
Examination:
The research dissertation will be examined by one internal and one external examiner.
Intakes by location
The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.
Trimester 1 - March
- Start date: March
- Available at:
Burwood (Melbourne)
Entry requirements
Entry information
Minimum admission criteria:
- Bachelor degree with a minimum distinction average (70% and above, or equivalent) in the final year of study and in a cognate discipline to the proposed research thesis area; or
- Coursework Master or Honours degree with a minimum distinction average (70% and above, or equivalent) in a cognate discipline to the proposed research thesis area.
Note: All applicants are required to 'Prepare a Statement of Intent' outlining why they are applying for this course and their proposed area of research
Deakin University offers admission to postgraduate courses through a range of Admission categories.
All applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements.
Please note that meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee selection, which is based on merit, likelihood of success and availability of places in the course.
For more information on the Admission Criteria and Selection (Higher Education Courses) Policy visit the Deakin Policy Library
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
Learn more about fees and your options for paying.
The available fee places for this course are detailed above. Not all courses at Deakin have Commonwealth supported places available.
The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only based on a typical enrolment of students completing the first year of this course. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Recognition of Prior Learning.
One year full-time study load is typically represented by eight credit points of study. Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together eight credit points of a typical combination of units for your course.
You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the Handbook.
Learn more about fees and available payment options.
Scholarship options
A Deakin scholarship could help you pay for your course fees, living costs and study materials. If you've got something special to offer Deakin - or maybe you just need a bit of extra support - we've got a scholarship opportunity for you. Search or browse through our scholarships
Apply now
Applications can be made directly to the University through the Deakin Application Portal. For information on the application process and closing dates, see the how to apply web page. Please note that closing dates may vary for individual courses.
For more information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply webpage. If you're still having problems, please contact us for assistance.
Entry pathways
Alternative exits
- Graduate Diploma of Business Research (M620)
Contact information
Our friendly advisers are available to speak to you one-on-one about your study options, support services and how we can help you further your career.
- Call us: 1800 693 888 Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm
- Live Chat: Mon–Thurs, 8am–7pm, Fri 8am–5pm
- Submit an online enquiry
- Help hub find common and trending questions and answers
Careers
Career outcomes
The MRes(Bus) has a hybrid focus on careers in both academia and industry. As such, the MRes(Bus) is designed to offer a high-quality pathway into a PhD program. This pathway will be most relevant for students interested in pursuing an academic career or who wish to undertake additional advanced research training. The research fundamentals, research methods, and discipline specific units are all designed to offer students the best preparation for further conduct of high-end research.
The MRes(Bus) is also designed to prepare graduates for a research-focused career in industry, including in the private sector, government, or NGOs. Towards this goal, the MRes(Bus) incorporates several units that are explicitly focused on transferring the rigorous research units incorporated into the MRes(Bus) into problem-solving skills in a real-world context.
Course learning outcomes
Deakin's graduate learning outcomes describe the knowledge and capabilities graduates can demonstrate at the completion of their course. These outcomes mean that regardless of the Deakin course you undertake, you can rest assured your degree will teach you the skills and professional attributes that employers value. They'll set you up to learn and work effectively in the future.
| Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
| Discipline Specific knowledge and capabilities | Demonstrate mastery of theoretical knowledge in a discipline area by applying appropriate research principles and methods to make a substantial contribution to an existing body of research |
| Communication | Communicate the findings of research outputs to academic and non-academic audiences using highly developed communication skills and working productively within a team of experts in the field |
| Digital Literacy | Apply digital technologies in the process of conducting empirical analysis to address research problems |
| Critical thinking | Apply and synthesise theory and existing literature to formulate research questions and hypotheses |
| Problem Solving | Apply and use appropriate technical skills to evaluate complex information and concepts in a way that helps solve problems and issues in a given field |
| Self-management | Demonstrate high degree of autonomy, |
| Teamwork | Work collaboratively with peers when addressing |
| Global Citizenship | Apply mastery of the scientific process by addressing research problems in an objective and ethical manner |
Events Explore more events
Information Webinar
How will a Master of Research (Business) create career options for your future? Find out from course director Dr Nichola Robertson in this overview of the course and application process.