Master of Business by Research

A Master of Business by Research at the University of the Sunshine Coast is a research degree, not a coursework MBA. You spend two years on a single supervised project in a business field, accounting, marketing, management, economics, entrepreneurship or information systems, and write a thesis. You will take a research methods unit or two early on, then work with a supervisor to design your study, collect and analyse data, and produce a thesis of around 40,000 to 60,000 words. Some candidates also complete a coursework component in the first semester to build research skills. The degree sits at AQF level 9, alongside coursework master's degrees, but the assessment is the thesis rather than exams.

How the degree is structured

Australian research master's degrees are usually two years full-time. At USC, you enrol in a research methods unit and possibly a specialist topic unit in your first semester, then move to full-time thesis work. There are no trimesters of lectures to attend after that, your progress is measured through supervisor meetings, milestone reviews and ultimately the thesis examination. You can study part-time, but international students must maintain a full-time load to satisfy visa conditions. The thesis is examined by external academics, and you may need to defend it orally.

What you actually do

You will learn how to frame a research question, review academic literature, choose a methodology, gather data through surveys, interviews, experiments or archival sources, and analyse it using tools like SPSS, R, NVivo or Stata. You will write for academic journals and present at seminars. Most candidates in business research work alone but meet regularly with a supervisory panel. There is no professional placement in this degree, it is preparation for research careers or further study, not a practicum. If you want industry experience, a coursework MBA is a better fit.

Who it suits

This degree suits people who want to solve a business problem through evidence, not just case studies. You might be a manager who wants to research a workplace issue, a graduate considering a PhD, or someone changing careers into research or policy. It also works if you are already in a business role and want to study a topic that matters to your organisation. You need a bachelor's degree with a decent academic record, and you should check the official USC page for specific entry requirements, English language details and CRICOS information.

• Business researcher or analyst in consulting firms, banks, government departments and industry bodies
• Policy analyst in state or federal public service
• Market research analyst or consumer insights specialist
• Management consultant with a research focus
• Academic researcher or tutor, usually after further study such as a PhD
• Research and development manager in private enterprise
• Data analyst in business intelligence or strategy teams
• Lecturer or sessional academic in business schools (often requires a PhD)

Graduates work across Australia in professional services, government, education and industry. The research skills you build, designing studies, analysing data, writing clearly, transfer to many roles. If you are an international student, you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream after graduating. While studying, your visa allows up to 48 hours of work per fortnight. Check the Department of Home Affairs website for current visa rules.