Key facts
Duration
2 years full-time
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.
Ready to hone the research skills that will underpin career success in both academia and industry?
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
2025 course information
- Deakin code
- M820
- CRICOS code?
- 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
Course structure
To complete the Master of Research (Business), you must pass 8, 12 or 16 credit points. The number of credit points required may vary, depending on your entry point or how much credit you receive as recognition of prior learning (RPL) based on your professional experience and previous qualifications.
A 16-credit point Master of Research (Business) 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*
- Students 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
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.
Core Units
^This unit is worth 2 credit points
Course Research Methods Electives
With the guidance of their supervisory team, 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 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
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 February/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 (a principal and associate supervisor). Although students will mostly work with their supervisory team in Year 2, when completing their thesis, opportunities for students 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.
Trimester 1 - March
- Start date: March
- Available at:
Burwood (Melbourne)
Closing dates:
Offshore students: 31 October 2024
Onshore students: 30 November 2024
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 completing a placement.
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.
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
English language proficiency requirements
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)
Non-academic 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.
Admissions information
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
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.
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 for Trimester 1, 2026 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.
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.
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 Monday – Friday, 9am–5pm
- Live Chat: Monday - Friday
- 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.
| 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 |
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.