GraduateArts & Design
Master of Design (by Research)
Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
About this program
Monash's Master of Design (by Research) is a studio-based research degree where students develop an original body of design work, spanning graphic design, industrial design, interior architecture or multimedia, accompanied by written and visual documentation that provides critical context for the work rather than treating design purely as a practical skill. Unlike a coursework design master's, students must produce genuinely new work created during their enrolment, since design completed before or outside the degree can't be included in the final exhibition and assessment. Entry requires strong prior academic performance, typically an honours degree with an upper second-class result or equivalent, and applicants must demonstrate real capacity for independent research. It suits design graduates who want to pursue an original, self-directed design research project at a genuinely advanced level, rather than students looking for taught coursework in a specific design discipline.
Cost & duration
English test scores
Verified handbook.monash.edu ↗
Course structure
1 term of coursework
- This course consists of an original research project, resulting in a written exegesis and a body of design or creative work and documentation. Candidates will be encouraged to undertake a targeted program of professional development during their Masters enrolment that focuses on research methods Course requirements You must, in consultation with and under the direct supervision of a member/s of the academic staff: 1. carry out a program of research and design on an agreed topic approved by the faculty in your chosen discipline for a specified period, including attending and/or presenting at seminars and other related activities as indicated by the faculty
- 2. submit for assessment a written exegesis of 10,000-20,000 words on the program of research which meets the requirements of the examiners
- 3. stage and document an exhibition of original design or creative work for examination
Admissions
All applicants must be able to demonstrate a capacity to carry out independent research and have adequate training and ability to pursue the proposed course of study. An applicant for admission to the research master’s degree must have qualified as follows: an Australian degree of bachelor with a minimum upper H2B (a mark of 65 or above) in an honours year in a relevant field, or its equivalent from a recognised tertiary institution; in special circumstances, GRC may admit an applicant who lacks any of the qualifications listed above, but whose publications and other experience is considered by the Faculty to be equivalent research training in the proposed field of study. Such applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis; all applications must be accompanied by a research proposal of 200-300 words; all studio-based research degree applications must be accompanied by a folio...
More Arts & Design programs
Graduate Certificate in 3D Animation
Adelaide University · Graduate
Graduate Certificate in Animation and Visual Effects
UNSW Sydney · Graduate
Graduate Certificate in Animation, Games and Interactivity
RMIT University · Graduate
Graduate Certificate in Art in Public Space
RMIT University · Graduate
Graduate Certificate in Asian Language
Murdoch University · Graduate
Graduate Certificate in Compositing and Tracking
Adelaide University · Graduate
Why trust Where To Apply
- Official sources onlyEvery deadline, fee, and requirement traces to a university, government, or admissions-body page.
- Dated and re-checkedEach fact carries the date it was last verified, on a quarterly re-verification cadence.
- IndependentNo university pays for inclusion, a better write-up, or a higher rank. We are not an education agent.
- Named editor, public methodWritten and maintained by a named operator against a published methodology.