Master of Research (Computer and Information Science)

The Master of Research (Computer and Information Science) at Adelaide University is a two-year research degree. You spend the first part of the course building research skills — reading the literature, choosing a question, learning the methods your field uses — and the rest working on your own project under supervision. Think of it as a stepping stone between coursework and a PhD.

How the degree is structured

Australian master's degrees run one to two years full time. This one is two years, which usually means a qualifying or coursework stage followed by a substantial research thesis or project. You enrol in units of study, each carrying credit points. The early units cover research methods, research ethics, academic writing and a literature review; the later stages are mostly your own research. Your supervisor and a panel track your progress, and you submit a thesis at the end. Some students continue to a doctorate if the thesis is strong enough.

What you actually study

Computer and information science covers a lot of ground. Depending on your supervisor's expertise and your own interests, a project might sit in artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, cybersecurity, software engineering, computer vision, natural language processing, distributed systems or theoretical computer science. The work is research-led: you design experiments or proofs, write code, analyse results, and present findings. You will write a thesis and defend it. There is no fixed list of modules — the shape of the degree follows your project and your supervisor's group.

Who it suits

This degree suits someone who wants to do research rather than go straight into industry. Maybe you finished a bachelor's degree with honours and want more research training before a PhD. Maybe you are a computing professional who wants to move into a research role. Maybe you are an international student looking for a qualification that leads to doctoral study in Australia. Entry normally requires a bachelor's degree with a strong academic record in a relevant field, and you will need to find a supervisor and agree on a project before you start. English proficiency is required for international applicants; the exact score depends on the university's policy, so check the official page.

Practical matters

Tuition is published on the CRICOS register under course code 115976K. Adelaide University has research strengths in computer science and information technology, and the city has a growing tech sector. If you hold a student visa, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session. After you graduate, the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream may let you stay and work in Australia, depending on your circumstances. Confirm the details — entry requirements, English scores, fees, supervisors and visa conditions — on the official page before you apply.

• Research assistant or research associate in university labs and CSIRO
• PhD candidate (many graduates continue to doctoral study)
• Data scientist or machine learning engineer in tech companies, banks and consultancies
• Software engineer or developer in product companies and government agencies
• Cybersecurity analyst or engineer in defence, finance and critical infrastructure
• AI or computer vision specialist in startups and research groups
• Academic or teaching roles in universities and TAFE
• Technology consultant in professional services firms