Our facilities help generate a dynamic research culture and integrate digital technologies and research into professional practice.
Master of Design (Research)
Note
Research degrees are offered on a sponsored basis for permanent residents or on a full-fee-paying basis for international students. Contact a UTS Student Centre or the UTS: Graduate Research School for further details.
This degree is for graduates who want to deepen their understanding and hands-on skills in both research-for-design and research-by-design as a way to define the future of the design profession.
Design challenges are becoming more complex: digitisation, globalisation, the growing importance of services and the shift towards culturally and socially intelligent design means that the profile and role of the designer are changing. Research for design and researching through design experiments are becoming part of new design practice. In this course, students are challenged to develop a deep understanding of what this means for them as practising designers. They are trained in the insights and hands-on skills to do the various types of research that are becoming all-important in modern design practice.
Course fees
For relevant fee information, please choose from the following:
Local student
Research Training Program
The majority of domestic students who are offered entry to a graduate research degree will have the cost of their tuition fees covered by the Australian Government’s Research Training Program (RTP) Fees Offset Scholarship. If you are granted an RTP Fee Offset Scholarship you are not required to pay tuition fees for up to the maximum period of time allowable to complete your study.
Recipients of an RTP Fee Offset Scholarship should however still expect to pay the ongoing costs of being part of an academic environment and conducting research. In addition to ongoing costs, you may also be required to pay a Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).
Scholarships
In addition, research scholarships up to the value of $40,000 are available to support living expenses for domestic students to study master's by research and doctoral programs at UTS.
Tuition fee calculations
Tuition fees and RTP Fee Offset Scholarship amounts are incurred pro-rata based on the number of days a student is enrolled in each research degree session and whether the student is enrolled after the research census date.
UTS Alumni save 10%: alumni.uts.edu.au/advantage
International student
Tuition fees for international students vary between courses and range from A$19,840 to A$34,080 per year. Tuition fees for postgraduate research degrees are charged pro-rata based on the number of days a student is enrolled in each research degree session and whether the student is enrolled after the research census date.
Tuition fees for international postgraduate research students can be found using fees search.
Tuition fees must be paid in advance each session and are subject to annual increase. Fees for future year(s) published in fees search, whilst unlikely to change, are estimates only. UTS makes every effort to provide up to date future year(s) fee estimates and to limit any changes, however, UTS reserves the right to vary fees for future year(s) at any time.
For this course, the cost per session for 2025 is $18560. The expected number of sessions are 4.
All international students should familiarise themselves with the following documents:
- Protocol on refund of fees for international students - contains the refund of fees information for international students.
- Tuition Protection Service - designed to ensure that students receive the tuition they have paid for
In addition to tuition fees, students may be required to pay a Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). Textbooks and other course materials will also result in additional costs.
UTS Alumni save 10%: alumni.uts.edu.au/advantage
For further information on costs related to your study at UTS, visit the international students' tuition fees information page.
Careers
Graduates are the new guard of academically trained designers who have deepened their insight into where design is going, and can offer employers the combination of design and research skills that they need for their long-term prosperity. There is also a clear path from this degree towards a more research-focused career, either in industry or in academia.
Course structure
Course structure explained
The requirement of this degree is the preparation of a thesis which is judged by its examiners to be a distinct contribution to the knowledge of the subject. The format of the body of work and the length of the written dissertation are determined after discussion with UTS: Design, Architecture and Building staff and must be approved by the Graduate Studies Committee.
Candidates may be required first to undertake coursework subjects in research methodology to gain experience with research methods and skills. Candidates are also required to present papers, which form part of the preparation of their thesis, at the UTS: Design, Architecture and Building postgraduate seminars.
Specialisations are generally available within the areas of fashion and textile, industrial, interior and visual communication design, subject to supervisor availability.
Course completion requirements
Requirement | Credit Points |
---|---|
81821 Thesis (Design) | 0 |
Total | 0 |
Additional information
Course duration
The maximum course duration is two years of full-time or four years of part-time study.
Full time, mixed
Part time, mixed
Admission requirements
Applicants must have completed a UTS recognised bachelor's degree, or an equivalent or higher qualification, or submitted other evidence of general and professional qualifications that demonstrates potential to pursue graduate research studies.
The English proficiency requirement for international students or local applicants with international qualifications is: IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with a writing score of 6.0; or TOEFL iBT: 79-93 overall with a writing score of 21; or AE5: Pass; or PTE: 58-64 with a writing score of 50; or C1A/C2P: 176-184 with a writing score of 169.
Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place.
International studentsVisa requirement: To obtain a student visa to study in Australia, international students must enrol full time and on campus. Australian student visa regulations also require international students studying on student visas to complete the course within the standard full-time duration. Students can extend their courses only in exceptional circumstances.
Inherent requirements
Inherent requirements are academic and non-academic requirements that are essential to the successful completion of a course. For more information about inherent requirements and where prospective and current students can get assistance and advice regarding these, see the UTS Inherent requirements page.
Prospective and current students should carefully read the Inherent Requirements Statement below and consider whether they might experience challenges in successfully completing this course.
UTS will make reasonable adjustments to teaching and learning, assessment, professional experiences, course related work experience and other course activities to facilitate maximum participation by students with disabilities, carer responsibilities, and religious or cultural obligations in their courses.
For course specific information see the Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building Inherent (Essential) Requirements Statement.
Scholarships and prizes
Scholarships
For Design, Architecture and Building students
- ARC Linkage Project in digital-twin driven prognostics for the mining industry
- Computational Mechanics and Optimisation for Energy Absorption of Materials
- Crescent Leadership Scholarship
- Ericsson Technology Scholarship
- International Research Training Program Scholarship (IRTP)
- Mentoring of Women in Engineering and IT Scholarship
- RACE for 2030 CRC Industry PhD Scholarship
- Rosemary Johnston HDR Scholarship
- Telstra Enterprise Certitude Scholarship
- Thrive: Next Generation Graduates - PhD – Social Science and Policy
- UTS Diploma to Degree Pathway Scholarship
- UTS Housing Resident Networker Scholarship
- UTS Scholarship for European Undergraduate Students
- UTS Undergraduate Tuition Fee Scholarship
- UTS-Vietnam Government Project 89 PhD Scholarship
- Wikipedia and Australian history and events
Only for international students
- CSC UTS PhD scholarship
- International Research Scholarship
- UTS Academic Excellence International Scholarship
- UTS Academic Merit International Scholarship
- UTS Academic Merit International Scholarship – South Asia
- UTS President's Scholarship
- UTS Study Abroad Excellence Scholarship
- UTS VIED scholarship
For all domestic students
Only for Aboriginal Australian or Torres Strait Islander students
Prizes and awards
For Design, Architecture and Building students
- CommBank & Telstra UTS Best Venture Prize
- Dame Mary Gilmore Memorial Prize in Journalism
- Gareth Ivory Memorial Prize in Journalism
- Guy Morrison Prize for Excellence
- Henry Davis York Prize
- Industrial Relations Society of NSW Prize for Excellence in Industrial Relations Undergraduate Study
- Teachers Mutual Bank Rural Student Placement Prize
- The Carla Zampatti Foundation Design Award
- Tracey Brunstrom & Hammond Project Management Prize
- Trevor Buchner Design Prize
- UTS Anthology Writing Prize
- Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation Regional Journalism Prize
UTS: Handbook
Information for international students
Find out about support services, the Australian education system, accommodation and more to help you get the most out of your study at UTS.
Domestic students
Application process
Find out how to apply for a research degree and scholarship at UTS.
Important dates
Please refer to our Graduate Research Application Deadlines page
Need more information?
Scholarships, prizes and awards
Scholarships
For Design, Architecture and Building students
- ARC Linkage Project in digital-twin driven prognostics for the mining industry
- Computational Mechanics and Optimisation for Energy Absorption of Materials
- Crescent Leadership Scholarship
- Ericsson Technology Scholarship
- International Research Training Program Scholarship (IRTP)
- Mentoring of Women in Engineering and IT Scholarship
- RACE for 2030 CRC Industry PhD Scholarship
- Rosemary Johnston HDR Scholarship
- Telstra Enterprise Certitude Scholarship
- Thrive: Next Generation Graduates - PhD – Social Science and Policy
- UTS Diploma to Degree Pathway Scholarship
- UTS Housing Resident Networker Scholarship
- UTS Scholarship for European Undergraduate Students
- UTS Undergraduate Tuition Fee Scholarship
- UTS-Vietnam Government Project 89 PhD Scholarship
- Wikipedia and Australian history and events
Only for international students
- CSC UTS PhD scholarship
- International Research Scholarship
- UTS Academic Excellence International Scholarship
- UTS Academic Merit International Scholarship
- UTS Academic Merit International Scholarship – South Asia
- UTS President's Scholarship
- UTS Study Abroad Excellence Scholarship
- UTS VIED scholarship
For all domestic students
Only for Aboriginal Australian or Torres Strait Islander students
Prizes and awards
For Design, Architecture and Building students
- CommBank & Telstra UTS Best Venture Prize
- Dame Mary Gilmore Memorial Prize in Journalism
- Gareth Ivory Memorial Prize in Journalism
- Guy Morrison Prize for Excellence
- Henry Davis York Prize
- Industrial Relations Society of NSW Prize for Excellence in Industrial Relations Undergraduate Study
- Teachers Mutual Bank Rural Student Placement Prize
- The Carla Zampatti Foundation Design Award
- Tracey Brunstrom & Hammond Project Management Prize
- Trevor Buchner Design Prize
- UTS Anthology Writing Prize
- Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation Regional Journalism Prize
International students
Application process
Find out how to apply for a research degree and scholarship at UTS.
You can meet an international student adviser at one of our events worldwide to ask questions and submit an application.
Important dates
Please refer to our Graduate Research Application Deadlines page
Need more information?
Scholarships, prizes and awards
Scholarships
For Design, Architecture and Building students
- ARC Linkage Project in digital-twin driven prognostics for the mining industry
- Computational Mechanics and Optimisation for Energy Absorption of Materials
- Crescent Leadership Scholarship
- Ericsson Technology Scholarship
- International Research Training Program Scholarship (IRTP)
- Mentoring of Women in Engineering and IT Scholarship
- RACE for 2030 CRC Industry PhD Scholarship
- Rosemary Johnston HDR Scholarship
- Telstra Enterprise Certitude Scholarship
- Thrive: Next Generation Graduates - PhD – Social Science and Policy
- UTS Diploma to Degree Pathway Scholarship
- UTS Housing Resident Networker Scholarship
- UTS Scholarship for European Undergraduate Students
- UTS Undergraduate Tuition Fee Scholarship
- UTS-Vietnam Government Project 89 PhD Scholarship
- Wikipedia and Australian history and events
Only for international students
- CSC UTS PhD scholarship
- International Research Scholarship
- UTS Academic Excellence International Scholarship
- UTS Academic Merit International Scholarship
- UTS Academic Merit International Scholarship – South Asia
- UTS President's Scholarship
- UTS Study Abroad Excellence Scholarship
- UTS VIED scholarship
For all domestic students
Only for Aboriginal Australian or Torres Strait Islander students
Prizes and awards
For Design, Architecture and Building students
- CommBank & Telstra UTS Best Venture Prize
- Dame Mary Gilmore Memorial Prize in Journalism
- Gareth Ivory Memorial Prize in Journalism
- Guy Morrison Prize for Excellence
- Henry Davis York Prize
- Industrial Relations Society of NSW Prize for Excellence in Industrial Relations Undergraduate Study
- Teachers Mutual Bank Rural Student Placement Prize
- The Carla Zampatti Foundation Design Award
- Tracey Brunstrom & Hammond Project Management Prize
- Trevor Buchner Design Prize
- UTS Anthology Writing Prize
- Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation Regional Journalism Prize