A Master of Research degree is an internationally recognised advanced postgraduate research degree. In most cases, the degree is designed to prepare students for doctoral research. Increasingly, the degree may be useful for students considering careers outside of academia, where high-level research skills are valued but a doctoral qualification is not required. A Master of Research may be recommended where a student is unsure if they would like to pursue a doctoral program, or if they do not have the qualifications or experience to gain direct entry into a doctoral program. It can provide a useful experience of what doctoral study is like, whilst also allowing the student to acquire a Master's level qualification. In some cases it's also considered a foundation for conducting research in professional contexts. For disciplines that undertake practice-led research, a Master of Research provides an opportunity for understanding the nature and potential of research study through, for example, art and design practice. The Master of Research may be especially appealing to those in the field of Medicine who wish to develop academic research skills to enter competitive specialities such as surgery or public health. At some universities, the degree is conferred in a specific discipline, for example, a Master of Research or a Master of Science by Research.
Research master's degree programmes are different from taught master's degrees by placing particular emphasis on a large dissertation, or an equivalent practice-led research project, in addition to fewer taught modules. Research master's degrees programmes courses in the UK must guarantee that at least 70% of the content is project based as it is "geared to those wishing to pursue a research career afterwards." This will often include training in Research Methods, as well as instruction in Research Ethics and professional practice issues such as writing proposals, making funding applications and publishing.
Some universities may award this degree to a doctoral candidate who has not completed the required period of study for a doctorate, but has completed a sufficient dissertation and taught content to be acceptable for an MRes. In most cases, however, a PhD candidate will step down to the level of a Master of Philosophy at British universities. The main difference between an MRes and an MPhil is that MRes sometimes has taught components and therefore might require a first year taught component during the doctoral studies. Research undertaken for a Master of Research degree is typically shorter in duration to that of an MPhil or PhD - around one year, as opposed to two or three, full-time. For humanities subjects, MPhil theses are typically 60,000 words, while MRes or MA are usually around 35-40,000 by thesis, or lesser for courses with a taught component. Some universities require an oral viva in addition to a written thesis for successful completion of an MRes degree.
Australia
In Australia, a Master of Research is a postgraduate level research training degree. The program consists of a coursework component and a supervised research project, including a thesis of 20-25,000 words. An MRes is completed within two years, or part-time equivalent. The degree is currently only offered at a limited number of universities, having first being introduced at Macquarie University. The University of Technology Sydney offers a Master of Research in specific disciplines through its faculties. The university also offers trans-disciplinary research through entities such as Master of Sustainable Futures provided by the Institute for Sustainable Futures. A Master of Research may be undertaken as a pathway qualification to a Doctor of Philosophy, or as training to provide professional research skills.
