Key facts
Duration
2 years full-time
Locations
Course overview
The Master of Research (Business) is a two-year degree designed to develop your research capabilities, immerse you in a major research project, and expose you to the latest thinking in your chosen discipline.
This course offers a pathway to a research-focused career in industry and serves as a gateway to the PhD in Business and Law for those who want to pursue an academic career.
Ready to hone the research skills that will underpin career success in both academia and industry?
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 discipline.
The second year is devoted to a major research project on a question of interest to you (subject to supervisory team approval) and includes your Research Proposal and Research Dissertation/Thesis.
Current Deakin students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
- Award granted
- Master of Research (Business)
- Year
2026 course information
- Deakin code
- M820
- CRICOS code?Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students
- 109089C Burwood (Melbourne)
- Level
- Higher Degree Research
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9
Research powered by a bursary
Take your research further with a fully funded place in the Master of Research (Business). Work with leading academics in future-shaping fields including AI, sustainability, wellbeing, gender and equity and innovation.
Course structure
To complete the Master of Research (Business), you must complete 16 credit points.^^ This includes:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first study period
- First year
- 4 credit points of core units
- 2 credit points of course research methods elective units
- 2 credit points of course discipline elective units
- Second year*
- Graduate researchers are required to complete a major thesis dissertation, MPR802 Master Research. Students will be required to independently execute the proposed research project with the guidance of an expert supervisory team. The length of the research dissertation will be a maximum of 20,000 words.
^^ Graduate researchers may be eligible to receive credit as recognition of prior learning (RPL) based on your professional experience and previous qualifications for first year units only.
- RPL will be assessed case-by-case with consideration of WAM/progression requirements
- the amount of RPL granted may affect eligibility for the Graduate Diploma if a student exits early
- RPL is not available for second year studies (major thesis dissertation).
* Eligibility
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.
Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.
All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
With the guidance of their supervisory team, graduate researchers must select two credit points of units (one in T1 and one in T2)
Trimester 1:
Trimester 2:
Graduate researchers must complete two credit points of units (one in T1 and one in T2). The T2 unit will generally be in the same discipline stream (unless otherwise approved by the Course Director) 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:
* To enrol in Level 7 units please contact Student Central
Management
Trimester 1:
Trimester 2:
* To enrol in Level 7 units please contact Student Central
Marketing
Trimester 1:
Trimester 2:
* To enrol in Level 7 units please contact Student Central
Sport Management
Trimester 1:
Trimester 2:
* To enrol in Level 7 units please contact Student Central
Graduate researchers 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 February/March before they can embark on developing their research thesis.
Consistent with other higher degrees by research (HDR), graduate researchers the MRes(Bus) will be supervised by two supervisors (a principal and associate supervisor). Although graduate researchers will mostly work with their supervisory team in Year 2, when completing their thesis, opportunities for them to interact with their supervisors will be incorporated throughout Year 1 of the MRes(Bus).
Examination:
The research dissertation will be examined by one internal and two 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.
- Start date: March
- Available at:
Burwood (Melbourne)
Closing dates for International students:
Offshore students: 15 December 2025
Onshore students: 15 January 2026
Flexible course delivery
Deakin’s blend of online and on-campus learning means you can balance work, study and personal development. Achieve work-life balance – study with Deakin's dedicated support and flexible learning options.
Course duration
You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as failing of units.
Entry requirements
Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements or higher to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.
A combination of qualifications and experience may be deemed equivalent to minimum academic requirements.
To be considered for selection into this degree you will need to meet at least one of the following criteria:
- completion of a 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
- completion of a masters or honours degree with a minimum distinction average (70% and above, or equivalent) in a cognate discipline to the proposed research thesis area
To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:
- bachelor degree from a recognised English-speaking country
- IELTS overall score of 7.0 (with no band score less than 6.5) in each component of test
- other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements)
You must provide with your application a 'Statement of Intent' outlining why you are applying for this course and your proposed area of research.
Learn more about Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning.
Not sure if you can get into Deakin postgraduate study? Postgraduate study doesn’t have to be a balancing act; we provide flexible course entry and exit options based on your desired career outcomes and the time you are able to commit to your study.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
Estimated tuition fee - full-fee paying place
$18,720 for 1 yr full-time - Full-fee paying place
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 and represents the typical first-year tuition fees for students enrolled in 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 you have.
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.
Domestic Students
The Year 1 course fee is A$18,700. Please note, fees are subject to annual increases.
Eligible students who progress to Year 2 will be invited to apply for a Higher Degree by Research (HDR) scholarship. Scholarships may include a full tuition fee waiver and a stipend to support living costs.
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
We want to help you excel at Deakin. Our scholarships recognise your dedication and achievements, providing financial support that can ease the cost of living and studying. With less pressure, you’ll have more freedom to focus on what matters most – your education and future success.
Apply now
Apply directly to Deakin
Applications for Trimester 1, 2027 open in July.
In the meantime, why not speak to our student advisers about your course and career options? It’s the best way for future students like you to get expert advice on preparing your application.
Pathways
Alternate exits
- Graduate Diploma of Business Research (M620)
Career outcomes
The Master of Research (Business) prepares you for a research-focused career in both academia and industry. Whether you are planning to pursue a PhD or want to apply advanced research skills to contemporary business challenges, this course equips you with the tools to succeed in a variety of professional settings.
You will gain deep expertise in research design, data analysis, and problem-solving, with units tailored to help you translate rigorous academic methods into practical impact. This makes the course an ideal foundation for academic pathways or research-intensive roles in the private sector, government or NGOs.
Graduates may go on to roles such as:
- PhD candidate
- academic researcher
- research analyst
- policy adviser
- government researcher
- market research consultant
- business intelligence officer
- data insights officer
- evaluation specialist
- research and development coordinator.
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.
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcome |
|---|---|
| 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 a 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 |
*Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. For more information, visit our list of sources.
