About Higher Degrees by Research (HDR)

What is a Research Degree?

At Monash, a Higher Degree by Research (HDR) is a postgraduate degree comprising 66% research component or 100% research. The research is presented and assessed as a thesis. The aim of a research degree is to produce an original work of scholarship that will contribute substantially to the understanding of the subject matter. Some of the faculty programs allow coursework units to be taken alongside a research thesis. The coursework component is designed to support research. Once accepted into the degree, students are allocated an academic supervisor who will guide the research and ensure appropriate standards are met.

Why do a Research Degree?

People do research for a number of reasons. It may be a passion for a particular topic or an intense desire to make a change in the world. For some, it's a career investment or an opportunity to acquire specialist knowledge to gain an edge in the workforce. For others, research is about satisfying an innate hunger or curiosity, or a desire to take knowledge to a higher level and explore frontiers. For many, research is the basis of an academic career and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is the entry level for an academic position in most Australian universities. Strong growth in the tertiary sector means demand for academic staff, and many universities are actively recruiting staff, both here and internationally. For every vision, there is a practical side and research demands a substantial investment of time and energy. Studying at a reputable and dynamic university such as Monash can be the point of difference in achieving your goal.