Research Degrees
Research at ECU
At ECU, we're committed to research that has strong social, economic, environmental and cultural impact. We make a practical difference to people's lives. Want to join us?
When you undertake an ECU postgraduate research degree, you'll be supported in many ways.
This includes a supervisor qualified in your field of interest and access to a group of peer mentors who know their way around.
You'll also have professional development and networking opportunities that can advance your career.
And in some disciplines, you'll have the flexibility of online study to better balance your life.
Why ECU?
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ECU top in teaching quality For the fifth year in a row, ECU has received the top undergraduate teaching quality ranking of all 37 public universities in Australia.
Over 85% of ECU students participating in the government’s QILT survey, rated their teaching quality positively. ECU was also the top-ranked public university in Australia for undergraduate skills development for the sixth year in a row.
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Good Universities Guide In the 2020 Good Universities Guide, ECU graduates have given us a 5-star rating for:
- Teaching quality
- Skills development
- Student support
- Learning resources
- Median salary (based on the starting salary for new domestic graduates under age 25, and in their first full-time job.)
The 5-star rating for teaching quality has now been achieved for 13 straight years. We're the only public university in Australia to have achieved such a consistently high endorsement.
Read more about the Good Universities Guide.
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THE Impact Rankings 2020 ECU has been ranked number 9 in the world for Quality Education and is in the top 100 overall in the 2020 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact rankings.
The rankings show how the global higher education sector is working towards the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
ECU also ranked in the top 4% of universities surveyed for Gender Equality, and in the top 50 for Good Health and Wellbeing and Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Read more about the THE Impact Rankings
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THE Young University Rankings ECU has been ranked in the world's top 100 universities under 50 years old in the 2020 Times Higher Education (THE) Young Universities Rankings.
Young universities are measured on their teaching, research, citations, international outlook and industry income.
These are the same performance indicators as measured in the overall THE World University Rankings.
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World University Rankings - Engineering ECU has been ranked in the world’s top 175 universities for Engineering and Technology in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings for 2020.
This latest THE ranking moves ECU up from last year’s global top 250 into the top 175, reflecting ongoing improvements in areas such as teaching, research, international outlook and citations.
Research focus
ECU's world-class research
Our researchers are making world-first breakthroughs in a diverse range of fields.
These include discoveries in areas such as medical and health sciences, marine science, cyber security, green energy and mechanical engineering.
To find out more, visit our world class research website.
Research projects for students
ECU's eight schools are looking for prospective Honours, Masters by research, or PhD students to undertake research projects on particular topics.
These may be individual projects, or collaborations with other institutions or industry partners. In some cases, the projects may also include funding opportunities such as scholarships.
Find out more about research project opportunities in ECU schools.
What's your research dream?
If you're interested in a research degree, we'd first like to know more about you - including your research topic.
When you start the application process, we'll ask you for:
- information about your work, academic history and qualifications
- references from any publications or conference papers you've co-authored
- a 300-word research abstract and a 2-page research proposal
If this information is assessed favourably, your application will progress to the next stage and we'll ask you for some more information.
Scholarship opportunities
As a doctoral or master by research degree student, you may be eligible to receive an ECU scholarship.
Scholarship opportunities are also available to work on specific projects, often in collaboration with industry or community partners. These provide valuable experience and can increase your career prospects.
Courses
If you're looking to be involved at the cutting edge of your field, our research degrees provide a stimulating intellectual challenge.
For your research degree you'll be expected to produce a written body of researched work, called a thesis.
If your degree is in a creative discipline, you may produce a creative work plus an exegesis (written exploration of your work).
Degrees of support
We have unique and innovative programs to support you through your research degree.
Here's a snapshot of what you can expect:
- an orientation program and events to help you get started;
- an extensive cross-discipline research training program;
- discipline-specific training and research forums run by your school or research centre;
- special seminars with guest presenters;
- fully-funded annual writing retreat;
- travel grants for international research placements;
- an inter-university research training conference; and
- support for planning your career beyond your research degree.
School Research Centres and Supervisors
To give you an idea of the research we're undertaking across our schools, including leading researcher profiles, download one or more of these brochures.
World Class research
ECU has a vibrant research community, committed to supporting students on their research journey.
We provide dedicated staff and support services for postgraduate research, including school research and writing consultants, research and higher degrees staff, a research ethics team and specialist librarians.
"Without having the team of SOAR Ambassadors to draw on, I would have thrown in the towel within the first semester. They have been brilliant! Patient, tolerant of my technological challenges and always available when I needed them."
Graduate Research School
School of Medical & Health Sciences
The Graduate Research School offers free workshops to help you develop new research and professional skills, plus opportunities to network with other researchers.
GRS also organises regular social events to encourage a collaborative and supportive peer network.
Our SOAR Centre (Support Opportunities Advice Resources) also provides a key support service, connecting research students from different backgrounds, cultures, ages and academic disciplines.
Student
stories
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"I have no doubt I came to the right place for my doctoral degree"
Emmanuel KokorokoPhD Business (major in Management) I chose to do my doctorate here because I found the PhD in Business program at the School of Business and Law to be focused on conducting cutting edge and innovative research in areas that are relevant to the global community.
The ECU facilities and services are more than enough for you to achieve your dreams. The great thing about the lecturers is that they give you the opportunity to explore and discover your interests whilst at the same time they guide you to pursue those interests.
I found my supervisors to be very supportive and dedicated to supervising my research work, they create an enabling learning environment that help me to develop my research skills and competencies.
To the new international current and prospective students especially the graduate research students, I can assure you that ECU is a great place to study.
ECU carries this climate of a modern, world-class and ambitious institution. It looks like a place I can achieve my goals and aspirations. I have no doubt I came to the right place for my doctorates degree.
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"Writing, rewriting and more rewriting!"
Danica-Lea LarcombeIntegrated PhD candidate (Biodiversity and Human Health) The skills I have learnt while studying the Integrated PhD have assisted with my research proposal, literature reviews, data analysis and grant writing.
My ethics application helped with recruitment of participants and surveys. I've also learnt how to develop and analyse complex surveys.
I've attended many workshops run by GRS and found them invaluable. And the GRS SOAR centre helped when I experienced issues designing my surveys.
My greatest challenge has been multitasking between data analysis, writing literature and coordination of participants. Also writing, rewriting and more rewriting!
In the future I want to work with developers and government, and continue writing and teaching about the importance of nature to human health.
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"ECU was the perfect place for me to study"
Erasmus Norviewu-MorttyECU Master of Education by Research I travelled halfway around the world to investigate why some schools in my native Ghana were better than others – my research at ECU gave me the chance to find some answers.