Master of Design Research

Entry requirements

An applicant for admission to the Master of Design Research is required to hold: a postgraduate qualification with a GPA of at least 5 in a related discipline OR a Bachelor degree with at least Second Class Honours (Division B) in a related discipline. In addition to the academic qualifications required for candidature as described above, the following criteria needs to be satisfied for admission: the proposed topic is appropriate for higher degree research; the Queensland College of Art and Design is able to provide the necessary research place, supervision, resources and facilities; and there is an appropriate fit between the applicant, research environment, available resources and supervision; the proposed program of work can be completed within the maximum period of candidature for the degree; the proposed research does not reproduce research that has previously been submitted for the award of a degree or diploma; the proposed program conforms to the University's ethical guidelines on research involving humans and animals; where the intellectual property rights of the applicant may be a consideration, a suitable agreement protecting the rights of the student has been signed.

Language requirements

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. All Higher Degree Research (HDR) applicants are expected to have reached an appropriate level of proficiency in English. International applicants must provide documentary evidence of their English Language Proficiency (ELP). Further, there may be occasions when a Head of Element or Dean feels it is appropriate to seek confirmation of ELP from applicants for whom there is no formal requirement to provide evidence of ELP (for example, Australian citizens or applicants with permanent resident status whose tertiary studies were not conducted in English or International applicants who have undertaken some studies in English). Full documentary evidence in support of English proficiency must be submitted with applications for candidature. The minimum English Language proficiency requirements for applicants to Higher Degree Research (HDR) programs are as follows: A minimum overall band score of 6.5 on the IELTS (Academic) with no band score less than 6.0 OR a minimum score of 575 on the paper-based TOEFL including a score of no less than 5.0 on the TWE OR a score of 79 on the internet-based (iBT) TOEFL with no sub-score less than 19 OR a score of no less than 3+ in each skill of the ISLPR (conducted by ISLPR Language Services only) OR a minimum overall score of 176 (no score less than 169) on C1 Advanced (formerly Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English) or C2 Proficiency (formerly Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English) OR an overall score of 58 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 50. English test results must be no more than two years old at the time of application. Applicants should be aware that these test scores are the minimum scores required by Griffith University for most disciplinary areas and that some elements may require higher levels of proficiency. An applicant may be exempted from the requirement to provide an ELP test score if the applicant's tertiary level studies were completed within the specified timeframe and in one of the countries listed in the University's Admission Schedule: English Language Proficiency. An applicant may also be exempted from the requirement to provide an ELP test score if the applicant has completed at least two years full-time work experience in an English speaking professional work environment or has successfully completed the Griffith English Language Institute (GELI) Direct Entry Program (DEP) in accordance with the requirements as specified in the University's Admission Schedule: English Language Proficiency.