Research training and project development
A key feature of the postgraduate learning experience at NIDR is the attention we pay to establishing sound design research skills in our research candidates and assisting them to develop valid research projects. While many candidates come to postgraduate study with a developed research proposal, we are pleased to help designers formulate their knowledge and experience into relevant and challenging design projects.

All new research students participate in research training, featuring leading designers and design researchers. Research seminars address issues in project framing and development, design research methods and issues, current debate on the state of design research, applied design research in the context of business and entrepreneurship, the use of traditional and electronic research resources, and innovative, design-based methods of project documentation.

The Master of Design (by Research) is a research degree that focuses on mastery of a specific field of design knowledge through scholarly investigation, using practices and processes central to design.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is a research degree that focuses on the generation of new design knowledge through scholarly investigation, using practices and processes central to design.

The Doctor of Design (DDes) is a research degree that has a strong leaning to the investigation of real world design activity in its professional or commercial dimensions. Research is undertaken in the context of an applied design project supported with appropriate documentation. The first semester of the program guides candidates in identifying an appropriate project and is assessed independently to the final project.

Course Structure
Masters by Research
The Master of Design (by Research) is aimed at designers who have not demonstrated the level of research capabilities required to enter a doctoral program. Graduates of this program will have an in-depth knowledge of their specific area of design and be in a position to undertake a doctoral program. The program is an individual research project that is supervised by two senior academics on one-on-one basis or through the use of panel supervision,

Local Students
D190 Master of Design (by Research)
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International Students
D190 Master of Design (by Research)
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Doctoral Programs
The DDes and PhD degrees at Swinburne are similar in many ways: These are both doctoral research degrees and are considered equivalent for purposes of employment within the university or industry sectors. Other similarities include: activities are carried out in logical, well-organised manner, projects are supervised by two senior academics on one-on-one basis or through the use of panel supervision, Research quality is of the highest standard, the research outcome (thesis and/or thesis and artefact) are organised into a sequence of chapters, final research outcomes are examined by 2 external examiners.

The difference between the PhD and DDes is that the PhD is aimed at theoretical developments and the DDes is aimed primarily at the development of advanced practice

In The Doctor of Philosophy students undertake independent research under the guidance of supervisors. To gain entry into this program candidates are expected to have demonstrated research capabilities, through a Masters by Research or First Class or Second Class A Honours.

Local Students
DS001 Doctor of Philosophy (Design)
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International Students
DS001 Doctor of Philosophy (Design)
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In the Professional Doctorate in Design, students undertake Advanced Design Research Methods in the first semester, followed by five semesters of supervised research. The Advanced Design Research Methods subject guides candidates in the development of a valid research proposal relevant to the student’s discipline and incorporating new digital technology. This will include research training covering the rationale and structure of the course academic requirements and assessment, design research methods, leading to the development of an advanced research proposal, and the selection of a supervisor(s) and agreement upon both a design topic and a detailed program of study for the Major Design Research Project.

The Major Design Research Project will then represent the investigation and presentation of that topic. Accompanying the Major Design Research Project will be a Project Report that describes the parameters of the project investigation.

Local Students
DPD90 Professional Doctorate in Design
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International Students
DPD90 Professional Doctorate in Design
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Scholarships
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