Use your research skills to improve learning outcomes.
The Master of Education by Research is an advanced program in which you conduct original research in an area that is both of interest to you, and of broader significance to USC and the community.
- Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
- * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2025 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
- Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
The Master of Education by Research is an advanced program in which you conduct original research in an area that is both of interest to you, and of broader significance to USC and the community.
You develop new knowledge and understanding of education through access to postgraduate level research skills and a supervised research project that contributes to Education. You will work with your supervisor to draw up a research plan which includes access to regular training, undertaking professional development in your field, participating and presenting at conferences, and publications.
This plan is in addition to the implementation and writing of your research project.
Admission requirements
To be eligible for admission to Master of Education by Research candidature, applicants are normally required to hold either:
- a four-year undergraduate degree in an appropriate discipline with a GPA of 5 (on a 7 point scale) or equivalent, together with professional expertise in a specific field of education or training and a demonstrated potential to engage in research
or
- a Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate in Education with a GPA of 5 or better (on a 7 point scale) or equivalent together with professional expertise in a specific field of education or training and a demonstrated potential to engage in research
or
- a bachelor degree with Class 1 Honours or Class 2 Division I or Division II Honours
Refer also to the University's English language requirements.
Program coordinator
School Research Director
Associate Professor Deborah Heck
Tel: +61 7 5456 5112
Email: dheck@usc.edu.au
Program structure
Program structure
The program has four distinct phases—proposal and affirmation of candidature, writing of the thesis, presentation of a scholarly paper to a significant national or international audience, and examination of the thesis.
As a candidate you complete one required course, EDU750 Critical Social Theory: Power, Critique and Praxis which addresses the need to embed research enquiry in a particular research paradigm. You investigate a number of research paradigms and a range of research methods that may offer understandings and tools to interrogate a research problem.
And demonstrate an understanding of the interplay among research paradigms, epistemology, and methodology and research methods before initiating your research project.
You are required to write a scholarly thesis of 70,000 words in a specific professional field, which demonstrates that you are making a significant contribution to knowledge and practice in your professional context.
The thesis should also contribute to scholarship within your particular field of study.
Program requirements and notes
Program requirements and notes
- Prospective applicants wishing to undertake an MEd by Research will need to find a suitable supervisor by contacting the Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering.
- For further information, refer to the Higher Degrees by Research - Academic Policy.
- Refer to related policies, rules, plans and procedures.
- Refer to the University's English language requirements.
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
Enrolment and fees
- Domestic candidates: Australian and New Zealand citizens and permanent residents are not required to pay tuition fees for the standard duration of their HDR program. The Australian Government's Research Training Scheme (RTS) covers the cost of HDR tuition fees for these candidates. Research Master candidates are entitled to a maximum of two years full-time equivalent study. Candidates who do not complete their degree within the maximum RTS allowable completion times may be required to pay fees for any additional periods of enrolment. Please refer to Higher Degree by Research fees.
- International candidates: tuition fees apply. Refer to International HDR tuition fees.
- In any semester, full-time enroment comprises 0.500 EFTSL.*
- In any semester, part-time enrolment comprises 0.250 EFTSL.*
- The census date for withdrawal without financial penalty or academic penalty is the Semester 1 or 2 census date.
* EFTSL - Equivalent Full-Time Student Load. One year of full-time study equates to 1.000 EFTSL.