Master of Business Research (MBSR) - MBusRes

CRICOS code (International applicants): 059566G

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Program focus

The Master of Business Research is a research degree that aims to train students in business research either for academic or management purposes. The task of the Master of Business Research student is to undertake a significant piece of research and report it in a scholarly dissertation. The Master of Business Research aims to provide students with opportunities to explore the resolution of particular management problems using specialist knowledge and advanced techniques through conducting research in a specialised area of business, management or information systems.

Program aims

The Master of Business Research aims to produce graduates trained in business research either for academic or management purposes. The task of the Master of Business Research student is to undertake a significant piece of research and report it in a scholarly dissertation. The Master of Business Research aims to provide students with opportunities to explore the resolution of particular management problems using specialist knowledge and advanced techniques through conducting research in a specialised area of business, management or information systems.

Program objectives

On successful completion of this program students will be able to:

• comprehend and evaluate developments in a chosen area of business and critically examine the relationship between such changes and contemporary theory

• identify, critically assess and apply selected research paradigms in terms of their theoretical status and their applicability for resolving contemporary business problems

• undertake, interpret and evaluate management research using acceptable principles and techniques

• develop and support a proactive approach to management decision making

• create a scholarly document.

Admission requirements

Candidates for the Master of Business Research are required to have an appropriate degree in business, commerce or a related field from a recognised university. They must have obtained a minimum average of credit (GPA=5.0 on a 7.0 point scale) in their undergraduate degree or 5.5 or above for the second and third years of the degree.

In exceptional circumstances a candidate may be admitted to the Master of Business Research from a non-business/commerce background. Applicants who have not completed previous tertiary studies in business, commerce or a related field may be required to complete coursework specified by the Director of Postgraduate Studies with advice from the Head of the supervising School. Applicants intending to undertake a dissertation in information systems must have prior studies in information systems or computing.

On application, candidates must be able to provide an outline of the dissertation topic they intend to pursue.

International candidates for admission into this program must meet the University's English language proficiency requirements for postgraduate students. Please refer to Section 2.2.3 of the Admissions Policy .

Note: Admission to the Master of Business Research is dependent upon the Faculty's capacity to supervise the proposed projects. Prospective candidates should consult with the Director of Postgraduate Studies before preparing their project proposals. Research concentrations within the Faculty of Business and Law are updated periodically. The current list is available at the Faculty of Business and Law.

How to apply

International students

This program is offered to international students. An international student is a person who is not an Australian or New Zealand citizen and not an Australian permanent resident. Please refer to USQ International for information about entry requirements, visa arrangements and how to apply.

Domestic students

Applications for Research Master and Doctorate programs should be made directly to USQ.

Program fees

Domestic full fee paying place

Domestic full fee paying places are funded entirely through the full fees paid by the student. Full fees vary depending on the courses that are taken. You are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the Course Fee Finder.
Permanent Humanitarian Visa holders, Permanent Resident visa holders and New Zealand citizens who reside outside Australia pay full tuition fees.
Domestic full fee paying students may be eligible to defer their fees through a Government loan called FEE-HELP.

International full fee paying place

International students pay full fees. Full fees vary depending on the courses that are taken and whether they are studied on-campus, via distance education/online. You are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the Course Fee Finder.

Research training scheme (RTS)

The Research Training Scheme (RTS) provides Commonwealth-funded higher degree by research (HDR) students with an ‘entitlement’ to an exemption from course fees for the equivalent of four years full-time study in an accredited HDR program. If a student's RTS entitlement expires before they have completed their program they will be required to pay full tuition fees. As there may be limited RTS places available, some students may be required to pay fees for all or part of their program. The USQ Office of Research and Higher Degrees will advise students of their eligibility for an RTS place.

Program structure

The Master of Business Research is a 12-unit research program comprising four units of coursework and eight units of dissertation. Students must successfully complete the following courses:

The dissertation allows students to undertake in-depth, independent investigation in a chosen area of business. To successfully complete the dissertation, students will be required to select a topic, develop a proposal, carry out supervised research on the topic using an appropriate research method and present the results in a dissertation of no more than 40,000 words.

Required time limits

Students have a maximum of 3 years to complete this program.

IT requirements

For information technology requirements please refer to the computer requirements section.

Other program requirements

Students must maintain good standing in this program. Please refer to Section 2 of the Academic Standing, Progression and Exclusion Policy.

Students must complete successfully all of BUS8401, BUS8402, BUS8403 and BUS8404 before commencing the Masters Dissertation courses.

Exit points

A student who successfully completes all BUS8401, BUS8402 , BUS8403 and BUS8404, may upon application, exit with the Postgraduate Certificate in Business Research.

A student who successfully completes all BUS8401, BUS8402 , BUS8403, BUS8404, BUS8201 and BUS8202, may upon application, exit with the Postgraduate Diploma of Business Research.

Exemptions

Exemptions will not normally be granted for the Masters Dissertation courses. Claims for exemptions for previous study should be submitted prior to or at the time of enrolment in a program. Each claim will be assessed on individual merit in line with the Faculty's exemption policies. Exemptions approved in this program will not automatically apply to other programs offered by USQ.

Recommended enrolment pattern

The flexibility of the Master of Business Research program means that there will be a range of enrolment patterns and many students will have a unique enrolment pattern. Students requiring assistance should contact a Program Administrator. An example of a recommended enrolment pattern is set out in the table below:

Note: Students must complete successfully all of BUS8401, BUS8402, BUS8403 and BUS8404 before commencing the Masters Dissertation courses.