How to begin your research journey at a university where real-world applications and academic excellence converge.
In a world where scientific discovery and technological innovation are paramount, choosing the right Higher Degree by Research (HDR) pathway or postgraduate course is critical for tomorrow’s trailblazers. At Queensland University of Technology (QUT), postgraduate studies aren’t just about acquiring advanced knowledge, they’re about pursuing a passion and cultivating the practical and leadership skills needed to tackle real-world challenges. Plus, QUT offers a nifty way of fast-tracking your research career.
If you’re contemplating doing a postgrad in Brisbane, here’s everything you need to know about enrolling and studying at one of the top 30 young universities in the world.
Begin your journey with an undergraduate or unique vertical science double degree at QUT
If you don’t hold a tertiary degree, start with an undergraduate QUT science degree. You could choose a Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science Advanced (Honours), or double degree depending on whether you want a broad or specific science education. And you can follow that with work or postgraduate studies.
If your heart’s set on a masters, you can fast-track your education with a vertical double degree. Instead of choosing two undergrad degrees, these revolutionary programs combine undergraduate and masters-level units, condensing the timeframe for both degrees. As an example, you could complete a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Teaching or Bachelor of Science and a Master of Data Analytics in just four years, full-time.
Master your future with advanced science degrees at QUT
If you’ve already completed an undergraduate science degree, at QUT or elsewhere, you could apply for a science-based Master of Philosophy (by research or coursework). Alternatively, an undergrad in any discipline can meet the eligibility criteria for QUT’s Master of Data Analytics. This course also offers Commonwealth Supported Places which can reduce your fees by more than 60%.
If that sounds appealing, check out some of the revolutionary advances being made possible through data science, such as using dynamic time warping to improve elite sports coaching, or statistical modelling and virtual reality to aid in environmental conservation efforts.
If you have an honours degree or masters in a science discipline and you’re ready to make a substantial contribution to the body of knowledge, a Doctor of Philosophy could be your next step. There are a wide range of research topics just waiting for keen scholars. And if you want to be equipped to work in multidisciplinary teams, QUT’s PhDs are known for building cross-disciplinary skills. Just check out some of the amazing interdisciplinary research coming out of QUT right now. There are battery-free, wearable UV sensors and so much more.
Test the waters with a QUT summer research project
If you’re not sure whether a research career is right for you, QUT offers ‘tasters’ through its Vacation Research Experience Scheme (VRES). You can work alongside active researchers for 6-10 weeks on a paid research project. Data science student Emma Studerus and mathematics student Shannon Walker’s work modelling coral reef recovery rates offers a great example. It’s given conservationists crucial insights into coral reef resilience.
How to apply for a research degree at QUT
Gone are the days of wracking your brains for a unique idea. To apply for a research degree at QUT, simply follow these steps:
QUT scholarships — making postgraduate studies accessible
While we’re on the topic of scholarships, finance concerns are common among potential postgraduate students. But QUT is making study as affordable as possible.
At QUT, Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) aren’t just for undergrad degrees. Vertical double degree and masters scholars can be eligible for CSPs too.
If you pursue a career in research, you’ll have access to an office space, computer and any tools and software you need to complete your research. There are also several annual research scholarships on offer, which cover course fees and provide a stipend for HDR students. Specific research projects also sometimes come with additional scholarship funding. For example, one lucky researcher studying humans-machine collaboration in autonomous vehicles could receive a tax-free stipend of $30,000 per year.
As a QUT alumnus, you will be eligible for discounts and special offers and as a PhD graduate you can apply for the three-year QMomentum Fellowship where you’ll get access to extensive support and services to help you research and publish after graduation.
Why choose QUT
In addition to a focus on real-world applicability and multidisciplinary research skills, there are two other remarkable reasons why QUT offers immense value to postgraduate scholars.
Firstly, QUT has many world-renowned experts on its faculty along with first-class research facilities, especially as part of its six prestigious centres for scientific excellence:
- Centre for Agriculture and the Bioeconomy
- Centre for Data Science
- Centre for Materials Science
- Centre for Clean Energy Technologies and Practices
- Centre for the Environment
- Centre for a Waste-Free World
If your passion lies in any of those six fields, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better place to call your research home.
Secondly, QUT partners with industry to offer research internships. These give organisations access to great-value research services, while giving research scholars unparalleled real-world research experience and a ‘foot in the door’ with potential employers. Examples of past research internships include:
- Emma Church’s report for the Office of the Queensland Chief Scientist in which she helped benchmark Queensland’s performance in science against other jurisdictions
- Jayanti Mendhi’s work on antimicrobial coatings for the food industry, which was an extension of her PhD research into antimicrobial coatings for medicinal implants
Embracing the future with QUT’s postgrad pathways
QUT’s postgrad students aren’t just educated, they’re integrated into a dynamic network at the forefront of change and are empowered, through hands-on research and comprehensive support, to explore, innovate, and make a significant contribution to one or more fields of study. Embark on your journey with QUT and be part of a community that’s shaping the future of our world. Discover more about QUT’s postgrad opportunities and how they can help you achieve your academic and professional goals. Find a supervisor, explore research topics, or kickstart your masters by coursework qualification.