Master of Business Research

Course Overview

CRICOS Course Code: 119126J
AQF Level: 9
Duration: 2 years full-time (4 semesters)
Location: Coburg campus (face-to-face delivery)

The Australis Master of Business Research (MBRes) is a research-focused postgraduate course designed to develop advanced research capability in business and commerce. The course is structured around formal research training and a substantial supervised thesis, supporting students to undertake independent, original research.

The MBRes supports research in business discipline areas such as management and administration, human and material resources management, sales and marketing, accounting, finance, and financial management. Students develop skills in research design, methodology, critical analysis, and academic writing, with a strong emphasis on ethical research practice and scholarly standards.

The course places limited emphasis on taught coursework and is structured to support students to progressively develop and carry out a defined research project. Students engage in supervised research activity and participate in structured research seminars, providing opportunities to present work in progress and receive academic feedback.

The MBRes can support students seeking a pathway to further doctoral-level study, as well as those aiming to apply research skills in professional and industry settings where evidence-based decision making is valued.

Course Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete the MBRes will be able to:

1. Synthesise complex information and concepts by applying established theories to diverse disciplinary areas
2. Develop written and oral communication skills for conveying research to diverse audiences and stakeholders
3. Formulate a research problem and identify an appropriate methodology for an approach towards its solution
4. Apply ethical principles and standards when conducting research, managing research data, and protecting the rights of participants while considering cultural perspectives
5. Demonstrate advanced and integrated knowledge of research principles, theoretical frameworks, and methodological approaches relevant to business disciplines
6. Apply advanced cognitive and technical skills to design, implement, and critically evaluate appropriate research methodologies and methods to investigate complex business problems and contribute to discipline-specific knowledge.

Course Structure

The MBRes consists of seven core units totalling 160 credit points, delivered over four semesters. The course is structured to progressively develop research capability, moving from foundational research skills to independent thesis work.

Core units

RES601 Research Fundamentals (10 credit points)
RES602 Approaches to Literature Review (10 credit points)
RES603 Research Design and Methodologies I (20 credit points)
RES701 Research Design and Methodologies II (20 credit points)
RES702 Developing the Research Proposal (20 credit points)
RES703 Research Thesis I (40 credit points)
RES704 Research Thesis II (40 credit points)

The research thesis forms the central component of the course and enables students to conduct an original research project that contributes to knowledge in their chosen business discipline.

MBRes Course Sequence (Sample)

Year 1

Semester 1

Unit name and code	Unit type	Prerequisite
RES601 Research Fundamentals	Core	Nil
RES602 Approaches to Literature Review	Core	Nil
RES603 Research Design and Methodologies I	Core	Nil

Semester 2

Unit name and code	Unit type	Prerequisite
RES701 Research Design and Methodologies II	Core	RES601, RES602 & RES603
RES702 Developing the Research Proposal	Core	RES601 & RES602

Year 2

Semester 1

Unit name and code	Unit type	Prerequisite
RES703 Research Thesis I	Core	Completion of all year 1 units

Semester 2

Unit name and code	Unit type	Prerequisite
RES704 Research Thesis II	Core	Completion of all year 1 units

Pathways and Outcomes

The MBRes provides a pathway for students seeking to pursue doctoral study or research-intensive roles within industry and professional settings. Graduates develop advanced analytical, methodological, and communication skills applicable across a wide range of business research contexts.

Course Fee (MBRes)

Tuition Fees (Domestic and International Students)

Items	Domestic Students	International Students
RES601 Research Fundamentals	$3,500	$3,500
RES602 Approaches to Literature Review	$3,500	$3,500
RES603 Research Design and Methodologies I	$7,000	$7,000
RES701 Research Design and Methodologies II	$7,000	$7,000
RES702 Developing the Research Proposal	$7,000	$7,000
RES703 Research Thesis I	$14,000	$14,000
RES704 Research Thesis II	$14,000	$14,000
Semester Fee (40 Credit Points)	$14,000	$14,000
Total Tuition Fee (2 years; 4 semesters; 7 units)	$56,000	$56,000

Non-tuition Fees (Domestic and International Students)

Fee Type	Description	Refundable?	Amount (AUD)
Application Fee	Charged to assess and process an application for admission into a Course.	No	$250
Late Payment Fee	Charged when a student fails to pay Tuition Fees by the due date specified in the Written Agreement.	No	$200
Graduation Ceremony Fee	Charged to students who elect to participate in a formal graduation ceremony.	No	$100
Reissue of Transcript	Charged when a student requests a replacement Statement of Attainment or academic transcript.	No	$25
Replacement Testamur	Charged when a student requests a replacement testamur due to loss or damage.	No	$50
Reissue of CoE	Charged when a student requests a new or revised Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) outside the standard process.	No	$50
Change of Course Fee	Charged when a student requests and is approved to transfer to a different Course within Australis.	No	$100
Deferral Fee	Charged when a student requests to defer their Course commencement.	No	$100
Reassessment Fee	Charged when a student applies for a third or subsequent attempt at assessment.	No	$150 per unit
Replacement Equipment / Books	Charged when a student requests replacement for equipment or books that have been lost, misused, or damaged.	No	At cost
Photocopying and Printing Fee	Printing and copying through the student PaperCut account.	No	A4 B&W 10c/page; A4 colour 70c/page; A3 B&W 30c/page; A3 colour $1.50/page
Credit Card Surcharge	Applied to payments made by credit card.	No	As per rate charged by bank
Courier Fee	Charged when a student requests documents to be sent by courier.	No	At cost (varies by destination)
OSHC Processing Fee	Charged when Australis arranges Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) on the student’s behalf.	No	$50
Administrative Re-enrolment Fee	Charged when a student who previously withdrew seeks to re-enrol in a Course.	No	$100

Admission Requirements

For detailed entry criteria, including academic and English language requirements, please refer to the Admission Requirements page.

Apply or Enquire

To apply for this course, click Apply Now at the top of this page. For any questions or further information, contact us.