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Postgraduate research
Postgraduate researchers are highly valued and active participants in the intellectual life of the University of Adelaide Business School. There are many opportunities for students to undertake postgraduate research and work towards highly recognised qualifications with the School.
Research opportunities
Information about the University's research degrees can be found on the Information for future students page and the research website. These pages will answer many of the questions you may have if you are considering a Masters by Research or a PhD.
If you have a specific postgraduate business research opportunity in mind, please contact the Business School Postgraduate Coordinator Dr Steve Goodman. Alternatively, read on to find out more about the pathways available in the School and our PhD students.
Honours
The one-year Honours degree can be undertaken by high-achieving graduates of an undergraduate degree, specialising in any of the disciplines offered by the Business School. Successful completion of Honours can then lead into a postgraduate research degree.
Master of Business Research (MBR)
The Master of Business Research (MBR) is designed for graduates of a business coursework Masters degree as a transition year in research training for students wishing to undertake postgraduate research. The program aims to provide students with a first exposure to the research skills required to undertake academic research projects, and includes teaching in research methodologies and discipline specialisation. A dissertation comprises 30% of the program.
Further detail on entry requirements, how to apply, fees and program structure is available in online:
- Master of Business Research
- MBR Handbook 2011
- Entry requirements
- Information for international students
Honours and MBR degrees are more intensive and less formalised than an undergraduate degree, with a greater demand on both study hours and self-motivated and self-directed research. Students need to understand and critique academic articles, possess high-quality writing skills, meet continual deadlines, and make presentations.
Honours and MBR are one-year programs starting in February. Entry requirements for Honours and MBR are competitive with high average grades required.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business
Our PhD students develop the capacity to conduct research independently and make a significant original contribution to knowledge in their chosen discipline. They are supported with expert supervision, formal mentoring and teaching assistant programs, funding to national and international conferences, and access to visiting academics from leading offshore business schools and institutions. The global perspective of the PhD program is demonstrated by the publication of PhD research findings in international journals and the use of international experts to examine completed theses.
The PhD in Business is up to 4 years full-time.
Why choose the University of Adelaide Business School?
The Business School prides itself in its candidates’ degree completion times and success rates. The size of the School’s postgraduate research student group and its ongoing success rate reflect the School’s commitment to selecting top quality candidates and providing them with the highest standards of professional research supervision and support.
Selection criteria for postgraduate research students are rigorous and subject to applicants’ record of prior study in the specific topic area they wish to research, the quality of scores/grades obtained within their prior degree(s), their extent of prior research training, their record of prior research dissertations, theses and/or publications, the focus and quality of their research topic proposal, and the availability of suitable academic staff supervision expertise in the desired subject area here in our School.
The Business School supports various methodological approaches including survey, statistical, case study, historical and qualitative field research. Each student works independently on a major research project under the supervision of one or two academic staff with relevant expertise. This research culminates in a major thesis which is examined by two national or international examiners appointed by the University of Adelaide. The School maintains a small group of full-time and part-time postgraduate research students who receive close personal supervision and are encouraged to integrate with School academic staff in the general life of the School.
