Master of Research Studies

The Master of Research Studies at Torrens University Australia is a two-year degree for graduates who want to learn how to do research properly before committing to a doctorate. You will take units in research design, qualitative and quantitative methods, and academic writing, then plan and carry out a substantial research project in philosophy under supervision. The project is the core of the degree: you work with a supervisor, define a question, review the literature, gather and analyse material, and write a thesis. Philosophy suits this format because research in the field is often conceptual and text-based, so your methods units will cover argument analysis, textual interpretation, and the logic of evidence alongside the more general research training.

How the degree is structured

Australian master's degrees by research are built around a supervised thesis rather than a long list of coursework units. At Torrens, the two years are usually split between an initial stage of research training and proposal development, and a longer stage of independent work on the thesis. You and your supervisor agree on a plan, and progress is reviewed at set points. Credit points and unit details vary, so check the official course page for the exact structure. The qualification sits at AQF level 9, above a bachelor degree with honours and below a doctorate, which is why it works as a bridge to a PhD.

Skills you build

By the end you should be able to frame a research question that is worth asking, choose methods that fit it, read a body of philosophical work critically, and present an extended argument in clear academic prose. You also learn the practical side of research: managing a long project, responding to feedback, and meeting ethical and administrative requirements. These are the skills that doctoral supervisors look for, and they transfer to policy, ethics, education, and writing work outside academia.

Who it suits

This degree suits someone who has finished a bachelor degree, perhaps with honours, and wants more research training before a PhD. It also suits professionals in ethics, policy, education, or health who need to understand research methods and produce a serious piece of independent work. If you are an international student, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session, and the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream may be available after you finish. English requirements are set out on the official page, and the Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa itself. Confirm all details, including tuition, on the CRICOS register and the university's official course page.

• PhD candidate or research assistant in philosophy, ethics, or a related discipline
• Policy officer or researcher in government, think tanks, or non-profits
• Ethics officer or research integrity adviser in health, education, or the public sector
• Analyst or writer in media, publishing, or cultural organisations
• Lecturer or tutor in tertiary education, subject to further qualifications