RMIT has introduced a new coursework curriculum into all HDR programs that will give candidates access to an increased suite of core and optional courses.
The new coursework curriculum is available to all our Higher Degree by Research (HDR) programs – both PhD and Master by Research.
The new coursework curriculum for all College of Business and Law HDR programs came into effect from Semester 2 2022, and all College of Design and Social Context and College of STEM HDR programs from Semester 1 2023.
The new curriculum has been designed with your candidate journey in mind and aims to enhance the quality of your experience as you progress through the key milestones that are part of RMIT’s HDR journey. Through innovative, modularised curriculum design, the new coursework 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 new coursework
A new 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.
We have also introduced the option for candidates to undertake 12 credit points worth of approved research electives from across the University.
Assessment tasks for all the courses have been designed to allow for an emphasis on assessable activities that are research enabling. The intention is that all assessment tasks in the new core coursework provide a scaffolded approach to your research milestones, and do not detract from your research goals.
- Doing Research for Engineering and Computing
- Doing Research for Sciences
- Research for Impact in Engineering and Computing
- Research for Impact in Sciences
- Entrepreneurship in Research*
*Entrepreneurship in Research is only core coursework for PhD programs in STEM College. It is available as an elective for all other programs (Master by Research and PhD) across DSC and CoBL.
Course structures graphics
Click below to view graphical illustrations of course structures.
Frequently asked questions
After extensive consultation and review over several years, the University has committed to redeveloping the HDR curriculum, and the supporting co-curricular program, to further enhance the HDR experience at RMIT.
We are introducing a new suite of core and optional coursework courses across all HDR programs. We are also introducing the option for candidates to undertake 12 credit points worth of approved research electives from across the university. For more information about research electives, please visit Research electives.
The amendments to all College of Business and Law HDR programs come into effect from Semester 2 2022. The amendments to all College of Design and Social Context and College of STEM HDR programs come into effect from Semester 1 2023.
No. If you have completed all the coursework requirements for your program already, you are unaffected by these amendments. However, you will have the option, in consultation with your supervisory team, to complete any of the new coursework courses if you wish to do so.
You will only be required to complete the coursework requirements of your original program enrolment. For example, where a program has introduced an additional core course, you will not be required to complete this course. However, you will have the option, in consultation with your supervisory team, to complete any of the new coursework courses if you wish to do so.
You should have received an email regarding these program amendments, tailored to your specific situation, which outlines your options for completing the required coursework. Please contact your Research Training Services Team if you have not received this email.
If you plan to upgrade to a PhD, you will only need to complete the coursework requirements from the point at which you join the PhD program. Please visit Enrolment, leave and changes to candidature for more information about upgrading from a Master by Research.
As part of the amendments to all HDR programs, candidates have been given the opportunity to undertake 12 credit points worth of approved University research electives.
To view available University research electives and enrol in a research elective, see University research electives (under the Enrolment tab) on the Enrolment, leave and changes to candidature page.
