Higher Degrees by Research

Professional Doctorate (Business Transformation)

Professional Doctorate (Business Transformation)

What is a Professional Doctorate (Business Transformation)?

The Professional Doctorate (Business Transformation) is a higher degree by research designed for experienced master’s students who wish to become business leaders, executives and professionals leading organisational transformation through research, innovation and strategic leadership. Focused on Business Transformation, the program combines advanced research with professional practice to explore how organisations respond to disruption, embrace innovation and create sustainable competitive advantage. From organisational strategy and leadership to digital transformation, change management and future workforce capability, you will investigate how businesses can successfully navigate complexity while driving meaningful and lasting transformation.
This qualification prepares graduates to become leaders in business transformation, enabling them to drive organisational change, influence strategic decision-making and contribute original research that advances innovation, leadership and sustainable business performance.

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.
Study mode
On campus, Online, Blended
Campus locations
Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Online
Student
Domestic
Course duration
Full-time: 3 years Part-time: 6 years
Start date
14 Sep 2026
15 Feb 2027
31 May 2027
13 Sep 2027
Fee & scholarships

This course is delivered by Torrens University Australia Ltd, ABN 99 154 937 005, RTO 41343, CRICOS 03389E.

Be a catalyst for change
Become an innovative changemaker by challenging current research and finding new ways forward.

Transferable skills and a new career
Build upon your expertise, opening doors to unique career opportunities in academia and industry.

Contribute new knowledge to your field
Make a significant and original contribution through thought leadership, advanced professional practice, through a research thesis and advanced professional practice portfolio.
Higher Degrees by Research careers

Career opportunities

Graduates of the Professional Doctorate (Business Transformation) are equipped to lead strategic change, organisational innovation and business transformation through research-informed leadership. By combining doctoral-level research with professional experience, graduates develop the expertise to guide organisations through disruption, strengthen organisational capability and create sustainable value in rapidly evolving business environments.

The qualification is ideal for executives, senior leaders and professionals seeking to influence organisational strategy, drive innovation and lead transformational change across industry, government and consulting. As organisations continue to adapt to technological disruption, changing markets and evolving workforce expectations, graduates will be well positioned to shape business strategy, improve organisational performance and contribute original research that advances leadership and professional practice.

Higher Degrees by Research at Torren University champions the power of people to connect the world for good. Our values begin and end with people, being good, being creative, being bold, being well and being global. There is at the core of everything we do.
Professor Margee Hume
Dean, Higher Degrees by Research (ProfDoc, MRS, GCRS)

Subjects and units

Delivered both on campus and online, the Professional Doctorate (Business Transformation) comprises five core subjects, three electives and 16 thesis units, totalling 240 credit points. The course combines advanced research training with specialised study in Business Transformation and the completion of an independent research thesis. The course involves 20–30 hours of study per week, comprising 2–3 hours of facilitated study, 2–3 hours of independent research and 16–24 hours of self-directed study.

Core subjects

  • Critical Literature Review | RES611
  • Developing the Research Proposal | RES612
  • Methodology and Research Design | RES613
  • Preliminary Research Thesis | RES614
  • Contemporary topics in Business Transformation | RES627

Requirements

Choose 3 subjects from elective bank shown below

Elective subjects

  • Innovation Creativity and Entrepreneurship | MGT607
  • Business Decision Analytics | MGT602
  • Technology Strategy | MGT614
  • Design and Business Strategy | DSG404
  • Service Design | DSG405
  • Design for Social Innovation | DSG501
  • User Experience Design | DID602A
  • Multi-Platform Experience Design | DID603A
  • Design Studio | DSG406
  • Open Studio | DSG502
  • Design Leadership | DSG503
  • Advanced Design Studio | DSG504
  • User Research | DSG407
  • Technology and Education | TED403
  • Design Thinking | EEDUSD402
  • Digital Health and Informatics | DHI401
  • Digital Health Management | DHI402 

  • Advanced Health Informatics | DHI502 
  • Advanced Therapeutic Communication | ATC401
  • Generative AI in Practice | BAN403 
  • Deep Learning | DLE602
  • Statistics and Applied Analytics | STA601
  • Distributed Development | DDE602
  • Data Modelling and Database Design | MIS602
  • Machine Principles | MLN601
  • Foundations in Business Analysis | BANASD600
  • Data Analytics in Business | BANASD601
  • Visual Analytics and Storytelling | BANASD602 

Thesis subjects

  • Thesis Unit | THE601 to THE616
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Research project

 

The Professional Doctorate (Business Transformation) combines advanced research training with independent research under the guidance of experienced supervisors, culminating in the submission and examination of a final thesis and portfolio. Throughout the course, you’ll develop your research through critical literature review, research proposal development, methodology and research design, and a preliminary research thesis. You’ll also explore contemporary topics in Business Transformation, engaging with emerging concepts, innovative practices, real-world challenges and future directions in the field.

Entry details

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 (Business Transformation) if they have been awarded from the University or other approved institution, based on prior cognate learning in the discipline of choice:

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 a Master's degree may pathway to the Professional Doctorate (Business Transformation) 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 in the area of cognate learning discipline;

OR

An extensive track record of executive achievement in the workplace or in professional practice in the cognate learning discipline;

AND

A discipline-specific portfolio based on competency-based learning and non-formal learning;

AND

A letter of recommendation from two most recent employers.

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

How to apply

Frequently asked questions

  • What is a Higher Degree by Research (HDR)?
  • What is the application process?
  • What is required in a Higher Degree by Research?
  • What is the time commitment for a Higher Degree by Research?

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Classes start 14 Sept
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Classes start 14 Sept
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and take the next
step in your career

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