Higher Degree by Research

Why you should do research with us

Innovation is at the heart of so many RMIT courses and none more so than the University’s Higher Degrees by Research (HDR) programs. To open doors to diverse career opportunities, PhD and Masters by Research degree candidates should be seeking tailored experiences built on impact-led learning, co-curricular collaboration, and life-changing study.

Curriculum structure

RMIT’s HDR curriculum sees PhD and Masters by Research candidates graduate with the skills to embark on enriching and diverse careers in research.

The curriculum has been designed with the candidate’s journey in mind and aims to enhance the quality of experience as you progress through the key milestones that are part of RMIT’s HDR journey. Through innovative, modularised curriculum design, the courses will provide opportunities for cross-disciplinary learning activities that will provide you with a cohort experience, as well as enabling peer-to-peer learning.

You will also have access to an increased suite of optional courses from across the University, and an enhanced co-curricular program (Research Plus), that will allow you to:

  • Develop your cross-disciplinary knowledge and build your networks while learning with candidates and researchers from a wide range of research areas
  • Complete your degree with a strong, highly sought-after skill set, readying you for careers in both academia and industry
  • Select a diverse combination of coursework and co-curricular offerings that will complement and assist you on a successful HDR journey.

Overview of coursework

A suite of core and optional coursework courses has been introduced across all HDR programs. You can view the core and optional courses in the drop-down accordian below.

Core courses – College of Business and Law

Optional courses

HDR Admissions

The College of Business and Law is dedicated to both knowledge creation (through research) and knowledge dissemination (through industry engagement and teaching). This extends to our Higher Degree by Research (HDR) programs.

How to apply

HDR Internships

Higher Degree by Research Internships are valuable opportunities to fast-track research and development with Higher Degree by Research (HDR) candidates. We welcome you to co-design bespoke projects with us.
Bridging the gap between academia and industry, PhD and Masters by Research candidates in RMIT’s College of Business and Law are equipped with specialised research skills and knowledge to help your business pursue opportunities and solve problems.

With a focus on partnering with industry, business, government and community, our research candidates apply their expertise and theoretical knowledge through hands-on internships tackling specific business challenges. Our candidates provide the latest insights and innovations from frontiers of business, technology, digital economies and law, and are committed to doing research with impact.

What does it look like?

A HDR internship can take various forms depending on the specific business challenge to be solved and can be co-designed with expert academics at RMIT to frame the project. It can be undertaken at any stage of the candidate’s PhD or Masters by Research degree and they have the flexibility to be based at RMIT or a partner organisation’s workplace. Generally, the most common forms are:

  • 3 - 6 month placements focused on a specific deliverable
  • 2 - 4 year industry embedded project as part of the research thesis. Note: Masters by Research degree is 2 years and PhD degree is 4 years.

What is the value of HDR internships?

Meet our candidates

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Sara Todt

Partnership with CARE International and Aung Myin Hmu (AMH) in Myanmar to support garment workers during COVID-19 and military coup

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Md Jahid Hasan

Partnership with Carsales to develop new AI technology for valuation of cars

Past Theses

For past theses and links to the full publications please visit the RMIT Research Repository.  

Contact us

The College of Business and Law welcomes discussions on HDR applications and internships. please contact:

Meet some of our PhD researchers

Stephanie Volcon

PhD Researcher | School of Economics, Finance and Marketing, College of Business and Law

Nadia Egalita

PhD Researcher | College of Business and Law & College of Design and Social Context

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.

aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.