The Master of Built Environment (Research) is a postgraduate research degree designed for graduates who wish to extend and deepen their expertise by undertaking an original, supervised research investigation within the broad domain of the built environment. The degree spans disciplines including architecture, urban planning, construction management, sustainable design, property development, facility management, housing studies, and environmental design. Rather than following a standard coursework curriculum, students develop and execute an independent research project under the guidance of academic supervisors, culminating in the production of a thesis that makes a distinct and original contribution to knowledge in their chosen field. The program typically takes two years of full-time study or up to four years part-time, with a limited number of places offered each year to suitably qualified candidates.

This degree is ideally suited to professionals already working in built environment disciplines who want to investigate industry problems at an advanced level, as well as recent honours graduates seeking to develop rigorous research skills before pursuing a PhD or academic career. Research areas commonly explored include sustainable commercial retrofitting, housing affordability, urban resilience, smart city infrastructure, designing out crime, property rights, non-profit facility management, and environmentally responsive design. Graduates emerge with advanced analytical and methodological capabilities that are highly valued across government agencies, engineering and planning consultancies, property development firms, academic institutions, and research organisations.

Employers of graduates from this qualification span a wide range of sectors: federal, state, and local government planning and infrastructure departments; private architectural and urban planning practices; major construction and property development companies; sustainability and environmental consultancies; research institutes and universities; and international development agencies. The research-focused nature of the degree means graduates are especially sought after for roles that require evidence-based decision-making, policy analysis, and the capacity to lead complex, multi-stakeholder projects in the built environment.

Admission to the Master of Built Environment (Research) typically requires applicants to hold an Australian bachelor's degree (or internationally recognised equivalent) in a relevant discipline such as architecture, urban planning, construction management, property, engineering, or environmental design. Most institutions require a degree that includes a substantial research component — such as an honours thesis, research project, or research methodology units — constituting at least 25% of a full-time academic year. Many universities require a minimum academic performance of a credit average or higher in the final year of the qualifying degree, and some specify an AQF Level 8 honours degree or equivalent as the minimum entry point. Applicants may also be considered on the basis of equivalent professional experience and qualifications assessed holistically by the faculty's Higher Degree Research Committee.

In addition to academic requirements, applicants must identify a suitable research topic and, in most cases, contact a potential research supervisor within the relevant faculty before or alongside their formal application. A research proposal or statement of research intent is typically required as part of the application package. For international applicants, English language proficiency is mandatory; common minimum requirements are an IELTS overall band score of 7.0 (with no subtest below 6.0) or a TOEFL iBT score of 94 overall. Some institutions may require applicants to undertake bridging coursework in research methodology during the early stages of their candidature to ensure they have the necessary research skills before commencing their primary thesis work. Places are limited and competitive, and being offered a place does not guarantee access to scholarship funding.