Master of Research

The Master of Research at VU provides students with the opportunity to undertake and complete a research project under supervision at Masters level (AQF 9). It will achieve this by providing students with a range of initial coursework units covering a) the nature and expectation of the research process and b) disciplinary specialisations where appropriate. The research progress will also be scaffolded by milestone requirements ensuring support throughout and quality and timely submission of the research.

AQF level 9 criteria: Graduates at this level will have specialised knowledge and skills for research, and/or professional practice and/or further learning and be able to:

Knowledge

1. Critically review a body of knowledge that includes the understanding of recent developments in one or more disciplines
2. Demonstrate advanced knowledge of research principles and methods applicable to the field of work or learning

Skills

1. Conceptually map and critically evaluate theoretical knowledge and to reflect critically on its application to the chosen field
2. Develop high level cognitive, technical and creative skills with which to investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories and to apply established theories to different bodies of knowledge or practice
3. Develop high level cognitive, technical and creative skills required to generate, evaluate and synthesise complex ideas and concepts at an abstract level
4. Analyse, critique and implement cognitive and technical skills required to design, use and evaluate research and research methods
5. Develop effective communication and technical skills required to present a coherent and sustained argument and to disseminate research results to specialist and non-specialist audiences
6. Demonstrate expertise in the technical and communication skills required to design, evaluate, implement, analyse, theorise and disseminate research that makes a contribution to knowledge.

Application of Knowledge and Skills Graduates of a Master of Research will demonstrate the application of knowledge & skills:

• with creativity and initiative to new situations and/or for further learning
• with high level personal autonomy and accountability
• to plan and execute a substantial piece of research

Victoria University offers Master of Research options to fit your experience and qualifications.

Within our Health and Sport focus areas, we also offer Master of Applied Research – a two-year full-time program for graduates of any bachelor program to move into a different discipline.

You can also undertake a Masters of Research within our Sustainable & Liveable Cities focus area.

Sport & fitness

Our $68 million high-technology sport and exercise science research facilities include:

• altitude hotel
• biomechanics laboratories
• exercise physiology laboratories
• exercise rehabilitation laboratories
• motor control and biofeedback laboratories
• motor learning and skilled performance laboratories
• sport and exercise biochemistry laboratories.

Health & wellbeing

This $51.6 million five-level Western Centre for Health Research and Education building at Sunshine Hospital provides cutting-edge education, research and training facilities. Clinical trials area include:

• consulting rooms
• gait and balance gym
• falls and fracture clinic
• bone and muscle imaging (DXA and pQCT)
• metabolic testing.

Science labs

Our research centre at Werribee campus offers the latest technology for food analysis and scientific research.

We have labs dedicated the full range of science topics, including:

• cell culture and PC2 facilities
• biotechnology
• biochemistry
• biomedicine
• small-animal testing
• imaging research
• novel therapeutics testing.

Libraries & special collections

The VU Library holds several special collections and archives that are available to assist graduate students and staff in their research.

VU has partnerships and collaborations with dozens of public institutions, health organisations and private sporting bodies.

We also work with other universities to provide the highest-level expertise and resources for our students.

Our partners include the following, among many others:

• AFL Australia
• Athletics Australia
• Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science (AIMSS)
• Australian Institute of Sport
• Australian Sports Commission
• Diabetes Australia Research Trust
• Headspace, the national youth mental health foundation
• National Heart Foundation
• Tennis Australia
• Turning Point Australia
• University of Melbourne
• Western Bulldogs
• Western Centre for Health Research and Education (WCHRE)

Specialise in your area of passion and personal interest within Institute for Health and Sport (IHES) research programs:

• Mechanisms & Interventions in Health & Disease: Muscle, exercise and movement; Cardio-metabolic and muscle disorders; Cancer, autoimmunity and immunology
• Sport Performance & Business: Analytics and technology; Skills and development; Sport business, policy and integrity; Training.
• Clinical & Community Health & Wellbeing: Mental health and addiction; Maternal and child health; Capacity building in health and wellbeing
• Healthy & Inclusive Communities: Movement for healthy bodies and minds; Diversity inclusion and culture

Further research programs exist in VU's Institute for Sustainable Industries & Liveable Cities.

VU Research gives you opportunities to:

• connect with other researchers
• participate in research festivals and competitions
• develop your research skills
• get funding for your research
• publish and promote your findings.

We offer support for graduate researchers including:

• an orientation program
• a specialised Graduate Research School
• study spaces
• units to help you conceptualise and contextualise your research
• research ambassadors and student association.

Find out more about graduate opportunities at VU.

Victoria University offers expert supervision for masters research in these areas:

• Applied Science
• Arts
• Biomedical Sciences
• Biotechnology
• Business
• Chemical Sciences
• Civil and Building Engineering
• Computer Science and Mathematics
• Education
• Electrical Engineering
• Environmental and Risk Engineering
• Food Science
• Law and Justice
• Mechanical Engineering
• Nursing
• Physics
• Sport Science

Some of these topics are better studied in a Master of Research within our Institute for Sustainable Industries & Liveable Cities.

To be considered for postgraduate study, you will need to have specific academic qualifications, as outlined below. We also consider non-academic research and work experience for our research candidates.

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Bachelor degree (or equivalent) in the same discipline with an average grade of Distinction (or equivalent) in the final year. OR Completion of an Australian Bachelor Honours degree (or equivalent) in a different discipline with an average grade of Distinction (or equivalent). PLUS Demonstrate English competency sufficient for study at masters level by providing evidence of one or more of the following: <li>completion of one or more degrees with English as the language of instruction and assessment, undertaken in a predominantly English-speaking context (within the last two years) <li>IELTS (or equivalent) overall score of 6.5 (with no band less than 6.0 in Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking) <li>a score of not less than 92 with no section score less than 22 in the internet-based Teaching of English Foreign Language (TOEFL) test, or English proficiency equivalent <li>other documented proof of English proficiency equivalent to the above.</li>

Special entry programs

If you are from a disadvantaged or underrepresented social, economic or cultural background, you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs. These programs are designed to help you access education more easily.