Why Study / Key Benefits

The Master of Research (Business) is a research-focused master's qualification designed to develop independent research capability in business. Swinburne describes it as a pathway into higher-degree research and preparation for further research through a PhD or research-oriented careers.

Key benefits include:

• Supervised research in a selected business research area.
• Development of independent thinking, decision-making, judgement and logical reasoning.
• Development of communication and project-management skills.
• Training in conducting and presenting independent research.
• A substantial research thesis.
• Potential progression towards PhD-level research.
• Opportunities for Higher Degree by Research students to undertake internships.
• Research opportunities across accounting, economics, finance, marketing, sport management, human resource management and entrepreneurship.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The Master of Research (Business) is not structured like a conventional taught master's with a long list of standard semester subjects.

The programme combines:

• Coursework/research training.
• Supervised independent research.
• A major research thesis.
• Research progress reviews.
• Research training activities.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The current Master of Research (Business) research areas are:

• Accounting, auditing and accountability
• Economics and finance
• Marketing
• Sport management
• Human Resource Management
• Entrepreneurship.

Programme Highlights

• Research-focused master's degree in Business.
• 2 years full-time.
• Hawthorn campus.
• CRICOS code 094718F.
• Supervised independent research.
• Research thesis of up to 20,000 words.
• Business research areas spanning accounting, economics, finance, marketing, HRM, sport management and entrepreneurship.
• Potential pathway towards doctoral research.
• Research training and progress-review framework.
• Internship opportunities may be available for Higher Degree by Research students.
• Swinburne states that its Business and Economics subject area was ranked in the top 300 by Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2023, while Business and Management Studies was ranked in the top 350 by QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023. These are historical ranking references displayed by Swinburne and should not be interpreted as current 2026/2027 rankings.

Career Outcomes

Swinburne identifies the following career opportunities for graduates:

• Academic
• Researcher
• Government consultant
• Entrepreneur
• Business development
• Policy analyst
• Market analyst
• Quantitative analyst.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The most important current programme-specific points are:

• Course code: MR-INTBUS.
• CRICOS code: 094718F.
• Duration: 2 years full-time.
• Campus: Hawthorn.
• Current listed commencement: 1 January 2027.
• Current listed application deadline: 27 December 2026.
• Applicants must identify a suitable research topic aligned with Swinburne's research expertise.
• Applicants must find an appropriate and willing supervisor before applying.
• The application will not be considered without an appropriate supervisor.
• The programme-specific entry requirement currently refers to completion of Swinburne's Bachelor of Research (Honours) in Business with a credit average.
• Applicants are automatically considered for the Bachelor of Research (Honours) pathway and do not need to apply separately for it.
• International students in Australia on Student visas must study full-time and on campus.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students intending to study the Master of Research (Business) in Australia generally require a Student visa, subclass 500.

Key requirements include:

• Valid enrolment and Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
• Study in a CRICOS-registered programme.
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), unless an applicable exemption exists.
• Meeting the Genuine Student requirement.
• Meeting applicable health requirements.
• Meeting applicable character requirements.
• Meeting applicable financial-capacity requirements where requested.
• Meeting applicable English-language visa requirements where evidence is required.
• Providing the documents requested through the Department of Home Affairs application process.