Future Higher Degrees by Research students
About Higher Degrees by Research
Our research extends across various disciplines in our faculties and Research Centres at the university. Our Research Centres reflect a wide array of research excellence. Researchers and HDR students are aligned with our primary disciplinary areas and are supported by the rich research communities of our Research Centres. Research projects can be found within the Research Centres.
Previously completed Higher Degree Research theses can be found in our institutional repository.
Torrens offers foundational research training courses including the Graduate Certificate of Research Studies and the Graduate Diploma of Research Studies which will prepare you for undertaking a future research degree.
Our impactOur targeted disciplines
At Torrens University Australia, the focus for Higher Degrees by Research students is to follow the selected Field of Research (FoR) codes:
- FoR 42 - Health Sciences
- FoR 33 - Built Environment and Design
- FoR 32 - Biomedical and Clinical Sciences
- FoR 46 - Information and Computing Sciences
- FoR 35 - Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services
Research Training Program (RTP) Annual Stipend Rates – 2025 & 2026
The Australian Government’s Research Training Program (RTP) continues to support HDR students through competitive scholarships administered by eligible higher education providers, including Torrens University Australia. These scholarships may include a stipend to assist with general living expenses while undertaking a research doctorate or research master’s degree.
The RTP base and maximum stipend rates are indexed annually, effective from 1 January, and represent the minimum amount that institutions must offer to eligible recipients of the RTP stipend. The base and maximum RTP stipend rates for the following year are announced by 1 October each year. The table below details current and recent RTP stipend rates.
| Year | Full-Time Base RTP Stipend Rate | Full-Time Max RTP Stipend Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $34,315 | $53,608 |
| 2025 | $33,511 | $52,352 |
For further details on the institutional RTP Scholarships, please refer to the
Torrens University Australia Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarships Policy, Guidelines and Application Form
via
Policy & forms library.
For full details, visit the Australian Government Department of Education RTP website.
Find a project
Explore diverse research opportunities through our Research Centres. Discover projects across various fields, collaborate with experts and contribute to research that drives global impact.
Through research we better understand the biological drivers of chronic conditions, ageing and rare disease. Our research informs health and identifies targeted treatments, while considering health systems, environmental interactions, and community and individual health.
Our mission is to conduct cross-disciplinary, inter-disciplinary and trans-disciplinary research to tackle complex and important policy issues of our time, which are aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Our practice and theory-informed research approach spans research topics from finance and global project management, global supply and value to leadership, business systems and organisational behaviour.
Creating the 'fertile soil' to enable human flourishing requires innovative, social science informed scholarship which focuses on making a fairer and socially just world for all. Our mission is to conduct transdisciplinary research to tackle complex and critical public health issues of our time.
Cutting-edge research in Artificial Intelligence and Optimisation provides leadership and creating intelligent solutions to benefit societies. Starting with industry, community, professional bodies, and government’s needs, we engage in the research process with collaborators, end users and advisors.
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This course has exceeded my expectations. I never thought on the day I started studying nursing I’d be researching models of care and policy in the Netherlands, Canada and Scotland.Heather AllansonMaster of Philosophy
Self-assessment
Are you ready to study for a research degree? Complete our self-assessment to prepare.
- Are you ready to work independently and solve a research problem not yet investigated?
- Are you ready to further develop your academic writing and contribution through major thesis works and publications?
- Are you motivated to engage in your research project throughout the course continuously?
- Are you ready to immerse yourself in the current literature and knowledge to build new knowledge?
- Do you consider yourself committed, hardworking and possessing a desire to share new knowledge?
If you answer Yes to the above questions, a research degree at Torrens University will support you in building a research career.
Our supervisors
Supervisors are assigned to students based on expertise and availability. However, we strongly encourage students to review our Research Profiles and contact academics to discuss potential supervision, the development of the Expression of Interest and the Research Proposal.
Supervisors accept students and the project areas in which the research can be reviewed on the Research Profiles. Master of Philosophy, Graduate Certificate of Research Studies, and Graduate Diploma of Research Studies students will work with subject facilitators to sculpt their research proposals aligning them to the targeted research areas of Torrens researchers culminating in supervisor allocation.
