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.

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Course fees

For relevant fee information, please choose from the following:

Local student

International student

For this course, the cost per session for 2025 is $18560. The expected number of sessions are 4.

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

To view the course structure please visit the UTS Handbook.

Additional information

Course duration

The maximum course duration is two years of full-time or four years of part-time study.

On campus - Weekly

Admission requirements

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 students

Visa 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.

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.

Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place.

Inherent requirements

Inherent requirements are academic and non-academic requirements that are essential for successfully completing a course at UTS. You can find the inherent requirements for your course via the inherent requirements directory.

UTS: Handbook

See the Master of Design (Research) in the UTS: Handbook for comprehensive course details.

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.

Part of The Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building

  • Design student at computer desk

    Design research

    Our design research responds to the challenges posed by new technologies and changing social priorities.

  • Research facilities

    Our facilities help generate a dynamic research culture and integrate digital technologies and research into professional practice.

  • DAB Design, staff project Ley Lines

    Design facilities

    Excellent production facilities and resources support the students’ creative projects and secure the development of relevant professional skills.

  • Apple imac with on a table with 2 women in background

    Computer labs

    Used by students across the Faculty the computer labs have a wide range of design specific software and hardware to facilitate student production.

Domestic students

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International students

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Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.