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156 weeks
On campus, Online, Blended
Full time / Part time / On campus / Online / Blended · 10 hours of study per week; three hours facilitated and seven self-directed
01 Jun 2026 | 14 Sep 2026
Course Overview
What is a Professional Doctorate? The Professional Doctorate (Research) embeds research training through coursework and practice in a reflective manner, resulting in new discipline knowledge through research. Graduates at this level require a systematic and critical understanding of a complex field of learning and specialised research skills for the advancement of new knowledge. Graduates will also have systemic and critical understanding of a substantial and complex body of knowledge at the frontier of a discipline. Students will collaborate with industry, government, and community partners to find innovative solutions that benefit business and community at a local, national, and global level and will be positioned for career advancement and transition in a diverse range of industry sectors. This course suits students with previous work experience to ensure a strong understanding of the mechanics of the workplace and the ability to interrogate workplace problems at an advanced level. It is aimed at students who demonstrate a preference for work-based research outcomes. More Learning outcomes Demonstrate systematic and critical understanding in the profession by planning and generating a substantial and original contribution that advances scholarship for professional practice. Synthesise, apply, and analyse existing and new knowledge using critical thinking, digital literacy and problem solving to develop new concepts for advanced professional practice. Critically evaluate wide variety of research approaches and methodologies and select an appropriate research methodology and method(s) to conduct your research project. Plan and execute ethical research that demonstrate the capacity to scope, design and conduct research projects independently. Use appropriate and coherent communication skills to report, present, publish and disseminate research data and findings to peers and the community. Exhibit autonomy, authoritative judgement and leadership in workplace research and advanced professional practice. Download course guide Start online application Study mode On campus, Online, Blended Campus locations* Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Online Student Domestic International Course duration Full-time: 3 years Part-time: 6 years Start date 14 Sep 2026 15 Feb 2027 31 May 2027 13 Sep 2027 View all key dates Fee & scholarships Learn more This course is delivered by Torrens University Australia Ltd, ABN 99 154 937 005, RTO 41343, CRICOS 03389E. *For more details on international student study options .
Where You Can Study
Sydney
1 Chambers Rd, Leura, NSW 2780
Eligibility
Entry details Domestic International Fees Check the domestic course fee schedule for the cost of your course. FEE-HELP Eligible Australian students may choose to defer some, or all, of their tuition fees through FEE-HELP, a loan scheme repaid through the tax system based on income. Learn more about fees and FEE-HELP Scholarships We're serious about supporting your studies from start to success, which is why we offer partial scholarships for both international and domestic students undertaking HDR. Please discuss these options with international and domestic admissions on application. For more information, please email HDR@torrens.edu.au Admission criteria Before you get started with your course application, check you meet all the requirements listed below. Applicants with formal study: Direct Entry A person may be considered for direct entry admission to study for the degree of Professional Doctorate (Research) if they have been awarded from the University or other approved institution: a) a relevant three or four-year Bachelor's degree with a distinction average GPA; or b) a relevant Honours degree; or c) a relevant Master's degree by coursework with a credit average GPA. AND Seven years' practice at an advanced level in a position of responsibility or five years practice at an executive level and currently in a position of influence in the chosen profession, OR An extensive track record of executive achievement in the workplace or in professional practice. Applicants with work and life experience Students without an Master's degree may pathway to the Professional Doctorate (Research) with RPL based on: Seven years' practice at an advanced level in a position of responsibility or five years practice at an executive level and currently in a position of influence in the chosen profession; OR An extensive track record of executive achievement in the workplace or in professional practice; AND A discipline-specific portfolio based on competency-based learning and non-formal learning; AND A letter of recommendation from two most recent employers. View full course admission information Guaranteed pathway and Recognition of Prior Learning If you have already completed a qualification or gained skills through life or work experience, you may be able to credit this against your degree with us. Check information about Recognition of Prior Learning and Course Credit transfer . We also offer pathway opportunities to further your learning. Learn more about study pathways Fees Check the international course fee schedule for the cost of your course. Onshore international students requiring a student visa should choose campus-based / blended options. Fee payment Course fees can be paid across three study periods. Each instalment to be paid before the beginning of the academic stage census date. Scholarships We're serious about supporting your studies from start to success, which is why we offer partial scholarships for both international and domestic students undertaking HDR. Please contact the HDR Office at hdr@torrens.edu.au for more information. Admission criteria Before you get started with your course application, check you meet all the requirements listed below. Applicants with formal study: Direct Entry A person may be considered for direct entry admission to study for the degree of Professional Doctorate (Research) if they have been awarded from the University or other approved institution: a) a relevant three or four-year Bachelor's degree with a distinction average GPA; or b) a relevant Honours degree; or c) a relevant Master's degree by coursework with a credit average GPA. AND Seven years' practice at an advanced level in a position of responsibility or five years practice at an executive level and currently in a position of influence in the chosen profession, OR An extensive track record of executive achievement in the workplace or in professional practice. Applicants with work and life experience Students without an Master's degree may pathway to the Professional Doctorate (Research) with RPL based on: Seven years' practice at an advanced level in a position of responsibility or five years practice at an executive level and currently in a position of influence in the chosen profession; OR An extensive track record of executive achievement in the workplace or in professional practice; AND A discipline-specific portfolio based on competency-based learning and non-formal learning; AND A letter of recommendation from two most recent employers. In accordance with the English Language proficiency requirements IELTS 7.0 (Academic) with skills band no less than 6.5 (or equivalent TOEFL, CAE or PTE) View full course admission information *For more details on international student study options .
Career & Study Pathways
Quality & Recognition
Academic Regulator
TEQSA
Accreditation Status
AccreditedCourse Content
Critical Literature Review
Students learn practical planning, searching, recording, analysing, interrogating and writing skills for conducting a literature review. Develops mastery in identifying research gaps from the literature to establish future research directions, culminating in a project statement.
Developing the Research Proposal
Develops foundations of research, critical problem solving and evidence-based decision-making skills. Students understand the core structure of the research proposal and gain skills to communicate in a structured project proposal capturing emergent propositions.
Methodology and Research Design
Builds methodological literacy for higher degree research. Covers advanced topics in qualitative and quantitative research methodology and research design, resulting in the project research design.
Preliminary Research Thesis
Provides students with skills for planning, conducting, analysing and reporting for a research project, including responsible conduct of research and ethical review. Students report their project in a preliminary independent short thesis.
Research Communication
Provides essential skills and conventions of academic writing, authorship, research communication and dissemination of research outcomes. Develops skills in constructing arguments and different types of publication formats.
Leading Research Innovation and Commercialisation
Develops a business case for commercialisation of an idea resulting from the student's own research. Focuses on building traits of entrepreneurial leadership for research and innovation and translating knowledge into commercial products or services.
Qualitative Research Methods
Students develop core knowledge and skills for designing qualitative research including collecting, analysing, interpreting, and presenting qualitative data. Topics include ethnography, observation, case studies, focus groups, interviews, and participatory action research.
Qualitative Research Methods for Public Health
Designed to make students conceptually clear about the need for and importance of qualitative research in public health and capable of conducting qualitative research projects in real-life settings.
Biostatistics
Addresses the application and interpretation of statistics in public health research and practice, including descriptive methodologies, statistical inference and probability, analysis of variance, and simple linear regression.
Statistics and Applied Analytics
Covers essential techniques such as descriptive statistics, distributions, machine learning, and recommendation systems. Students apply statistical techniques to different datasets using various tools to perform analysis and reporting.
Thesis Unit 1
Focuses on substantial writing for thesis and analysis for the thesis project. Students demonstrate high-level skills in independent research and written expression with original input into the thesis project.
Thesis Unit 2
Focuses on substantial writing for thesis and analysis for the thesis project. Students demonstrate high-level skills in independent research and written expression with original input into the thesis project.
Thesis Unit 3
Focuses on substantial writing for thesis and analysis for the thesis project. Students demonstrate high-level skills in independent research and written expression with original input into the thesis project.
Thesis Unit 4
Focuses on substantial writing for thesis and analysis for the thesis project. Students demonstrate high-level skills in independent research and written expression with original input into the thesis project.
Thesis Unit 5
Focuses on substantial writing for thesis and analysis for the thesis project. Students demonstrate high-level skills in independent research and written expression with original input into the thesis project.
Thesis Unit 6
Focuses on substantial writing for thesis and analysis for the thesis project. Students demonstrate high-level skills in independent research and written expression with original input into the thesis project.
Thesis Unit 7
Focuses on substantial writing for thesis and analysis for the thesis project. Students demonstrate high-level skills in independent research and written expression with original input into the thesis project.
Thesis Unit 8
Focuses on substantial writing for thesis and analysis for the thesis project. Students demonstrate high-level skills in independent research and written expression with original input into the thesis project.
Thesis Unit 9
Focuses on substantial writing for thesis and analysis for the thesis project. Students demonstrate high-level skills in independent research and written expression with original input into the thesis project.
Thesis Unit 10
Focuses on substantial writing for thesis and analysis for the thesis project. Students demonstrate high-level skills in independent research and written expression with original input into the thesis project.
Thesis Unit 11
Focuses on substantial writing for thesis and analysis for the thesis project. Students demonstrate high-level skills in independent research and written expression with original input into the thesis project.
Thesis Unit 12
Focuses on substantial writing for thesis and analysis for the thesis project. Students demonstrate high-level skills in independent research and written expression with original input into the thesis project.
Thesis Unit 13
Focuses on substantial writing for thesis and analysis for the thesis project. Students demonstrate high-level skills in independent research and written expression with original input into the thesis project.
Thesis Unit 14
Focuses on substantial writing for thesis and analysis for the thesis project. Students demonstrate high-level skills in independent research and written expression with original input into the thesis project.
Thesis Unit 15
Focuses on substantial writing for thesis and analysis for the thesis project. Students demonstrate high-level skills in independent research and written expression with original input into the thesis project.
Thesis Unit 16
Focuses on substantial writing for thesis and analysis for the thesis project. Students demonstrate high-level skills in independent research and written expression with original input into the thesis project.
Common Questions
The Professional Doctorate (Research) comprises eight subjects and 16 thesis units, requiring 10 hours of study per week (three hours facilitated and seven self-directed). It is delivered both on campus and online, and there are no formal exams — assessments may include activity-based assignments or online quizzes.
The course streams include leadership, innovation, technology, policy and governance, and change management applied in your chosen professional sector. Students are required to provide an Expression of Interest including professional experience and their stream of interest as part of the initial application.
The first step is to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to HDR@torrens.edu.au along with supporting documentation including official certified copies of all academic transcripts, proof of citizenship, and evidence of English Language Proficiency if applicable. If the EOI is approved, a two-page Research Proposal will be requested. The Research Proposal should further develop the research idea and proposed methodology.
Yes, Torrens University Australia offers partial scholarships for both international and domestic students undertaking HDR. Prospective students are encouraged to discuss these options with admissions on application or email HDR@torrens.edu.au for more information.
International applicants are required to demonstrate English language proficiency with an IELTS 7.0 (Academic) with skills band no less than 6.5, or an equivalent score in TOEFL, CAE, or PTE.
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