Why Study / Key Benefits

The Master of Business (Research) is a higher degree by research designed for students who want to undertake substantial independent research in a business-related field. The programme develops research capability through a supervised research project culminating in a major thesis of 50,000–60,000 words. Swinburne also provides research training opportunities covering areas such as thesis writing, publishing and presenting.

Key benefits include:

• Development of independent research and critical-thinking skills.
• Training in data analysis, logical reasoning, decision-making and project management.
• Individual supervision throughout the research candidature.
• Opportunity to investigate an original business research topic aligned with Swinburne's research expertise.
• Access to research training workshops covering thesis writing, publishing and presenting.
• Internship opportunities are available for Higher Degree by Research students.
• The programme can support progression toward an academic or research-focused career.

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

Unlike a conventional coursework master's, the Master of Business (Research) is centred on an independently developed research project under academic supervision.

The programme requires:

1. Development of a suitable research topic.
2. Identification of an appropriate research supervisor.
3. Planning and conducting a substantial research project.
4. Participation in relevant research training.
5. Preparation of a major written research thesis.
6. Submission and examination of the thesis.

Research progress reviews

Swinburne's current research-degree framework identifies progress reviews during candidature, including:

• Preconfirmation review: around 3 months after enrolment
• Confirmation of candidature review: around 9–12 months
• Draft thesis review: around 33–36 months, with follow-up approximately three months before thesis submission

Disciplines/Specialisations

The current programme page identifies the following research areas:

• Technology in business contexts
• Accounting
• Auditing and accountability
• Philosophy
• Economics
• Finance
• Marketing.

Programme Highlights

• Higher Degree by Research master's qualification.
• Two years full-time or four years part-time.
• Hawthorn campus.
• January and July 2027 research-period starts currently published.
• CRICOS code 046752B.
• Course code MR-BUS.
• 50,000–60,000-word major research thesis.
• Sole-form thesis assessment under the published course structure.
• Individual research supervision.
• Research training opportunities.
• Internship opportunities for Higher Degree by Research students.
• AACSB-accredited business school environment. 

Career Outcomes

Swinburne identifies potential career opportunities including:

• Researcher or consultant in government, industry or not-for-profit organisations
• Policy, market or quantitative analyst
• Academic
• Entrepreneur
• Business development roles.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students studying the Master of Business (Research) in Australia generally use the Australian Student visa, subclass 500.

The Department of Home Affairs states that Student visa holders can participate in an eligible course, travel in and out of Australia and, generally, work up to 48 hours per fortnight while their course is in session. Importantly for this programme, Home Affairs specifically states that students studying a master's degree by research or a doctoral degree, and their family members, have no work-hour limit.

Key visa requirements include:

• Enrolment in an eligible course.
• A valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) when the visa is decided.
• Appropriate Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), unless an exemption applies.
• Meeting the Genuine Student requirement.
• Meeting applicable health requirements.
• Meeting applicable character requirements.
• Signing the Australian Values Statement where applicable.
• Complying with Australian visa conditions and Australian laws.