Why pursue a research degree with industry?
Ask better questions.
Refine your ideas.
Find the best solution for society.
UNSW Engineers are self-starters by nature and reputation, driving new paradigms in areas such as energy resources, medicine and AI. With the adoption of powerful learning tools such as short courses and generative AI study-buddies, research skills have never been so valuable.
That's why the AGSE is pioneering a new mode of experiential learning to bridge the gap between research and industry, to open new doors to impact. Individuals who wish to advance their skills through our PhD or Masters will equip themselves with the discipline and capacity to collaborate with industry and turn original ideas into action.
Open your critical eye to the world
Embarking on a research degree is fundamentally different to any other degree. As an engineering researcher, you are on a single-minded mission to shift the boundaries of science and technology, and their application in society. Simultaneously, this gives you a platform to deep-dive into your own natural curiosity by holding a magnifying glass up to the world around you.
Our Industry PhD and Master of Industrial Research programs are designed for the mission-led learner, to streamline their journey from research to impact. Students work alongside industry and research end-users to inform their theoretical inquiry, bringing a fresh perspective to sector-specific goals and barriers. As the eyes of industry, your mission is simple: to shine a light on society's biggest blindspots, ensuring nothing gets lost in translation.
Ideally suited to recent graduates or seasoned professionals, this program allows you to gain industry experience during your studies, providing a potential pathway to employment upon graduation.
For industry, you get to be involved in research at the forefront of your field, providing opportunities to transform your business and develop potential future employees.
"These PhD students are highly skilled people so we gain access to their academic expertise. They really help us to innovate...We're proud to invest in them."
- Dr Lidija Kotula, Weet-Bix Scientist at Sanitarium Health Foods
Beyond the library or laboratory, research is an active force in every major life decision. Whether it be choosing a degree, conducting a risk assessment for a new product, finding cost-efficiencies in a supply chain, or raising a child; we are constantly learning to sharpen our judgement.
By undertaking a research degree at the AGSE, you'll cultivate timeless and transferrable skills, making you a valuable employee capable of:
- Innovation: Make a significant and original contribution to your field of study
- Planning: Develop time and project management skills to optimise research tasks with guidance from experienced supervisors
- Critical thinking: Objectively analyse complex information and apply methods to solve complex problems in a professional, ethically aware manner
- Communication: Express your ideas effectively to diverse stakeholders
- Endurance: Iterate, refine, and adapt until the answer finds you
- Collaboration: Work in teams of multi-disciplinary engineering specialists with divergent perspectives
- Translation: Convert designs into working prototypes for industry
Flexible research opportunities tailored to you
Two degrees, three learning models.
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Completing a PhD within the AGSE Industry PhD program includes:
- Meeting all the requirements for the PhD degree in Engineering in a minimum of 3 years full-time equivalent (FTE)
- Enrolment in one of our 8 Engineering Schools under the guidance of an academic supervisor.
- A minimum of 60 days industry engagement related to the project
- A tailored professional development program
- Industry, academic, and peer networking and mentoring
- Transcript recognition of the program participation
- Whether you are a recent university graduate or an experienced industry professional, the flexible program models will suit your needs:
Industry engaged Industry sponsored Industry employed Complete your PhD funded by a university scholarship with industry engagement. Complete your PhD co-designed with industry and funded by an industry scholarship. Complete your PhD integrated with employment in industry. Scholarship
Industry engaged Industry sponsored Industry employed Competitively awarded scholarship starting at the UNSW RTP rate for a maximum of 3.5 years full-time: Domestic or International Competitively awarded scholarship starting at the UNSW RTP rate for a maximum of 4 years full-time: Domestic or International Not applicable
Tuition fees
All program models
For domestic candidates, tuition fees are offset (i.e. no tuition fees apply).
For international candidates, apply for a tuition fee scholarship (maximum of 3.5 years FTE) or visit HDR Fees and Costs for details.
Industry support
Industry engaged
Industry sponsored
Industry employed
Supervision during industry placement
Research support (consumables, infrastructure, and/or expertise access)
Optional:
Co-supervision throughout the PhD project
Top-up scholarship (min $10,000 pa)
Scholarship (starting at the UNSW RTP rate for up to 4 years full-time)
Supervision during industry placement
Research support (consumables, infrastructure, and/or expertise access)
Optional:
Co-supervision throughout the PhD project
Employee salary
Industry supervisor throughout the PhD project
Research support (consumables, infrastructure, and expertise access)
-
Completing a Master of Industrial Research (MIR) within the AGSE Industry PhD program includes:
- Meeting all the requirements for the Master of Industrial Research degree in a minimum of 1.5 years full-time equivalent (FTE)
- Enrolment in one of our 8 Engineering School under the guidance of an academic supervisor.
- A supervisor based in industry
- Industry, academic, and peer networking and mentoring
Whether you are a recent university graduate or an experienced industry professional, the flexible program models will suit your needs:
Industry engaged
Industry sponsored
Industry employed
Complete your MIR funded by a university scholarship with industry engagement.
Complete your MIR co-designed with industry and funded by an industry scholarship.
Complete your MIR integrated with employment in industry.
Scholarship
Industry engaged
Industry sponsored
Industry employed
Competitively awarded scholarship starting at the UNSW RTP rate for a maximum of 2 years full-time: Domestic or
Competitively awarded scholarship starting at the UNSW RTP rate for a maximum of 2 years full-time: Domestic or
Not applicable
Tuition fees
All program models
For domestic candidates, tuition fees are offset (i.e. no tuition fees apply).
For international candidates, apply for a tuition fee scholarship (maximum of 2 years FTE) or visit HDR Fees and Costs for details.
Industry support
Industry engaged
Industry sponsored
Industry employed
Industry supervisor
Research support (consumables, infrastructure, and/or expertise access)
Optional:
Top-up scholarship (min $10,000 pa)
Scholarship (starting at the UNSW RTP rate for up to 2 years full-time)
Industry supervisor throughout the MIR project
Research support (consumables, infrastructure, and/or expertise access)
Employee salary
Industry supervisor throughout the MIR project
Research support (consumables, infrastructure, and expertise access)
Where do I start?
- Find a Supervisor with an industry-engaged project you're interested in pursuing.
- Apply to UNSW and identify yourself as an industry-engaged applicant.
- Once you have accepted your admission offer, you will be considered for the AGSE Industry PhD Program.
- Accept the invitation and join our cohort of fearless thinkers!
A word from our Fearless Director
Deciding to pursue a research degree is a daunting prospect for anyone. Like most, my PhD had highs and lows, but it taught me to always look at the world from different angles, take initiative and look for opportunities outside my comfort zone. Within 6 months, I was on a plane to Germany!
Megan Lord
Professor at the Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering and founding Academic Director of AGSE Industry PhD Program
If you're curious but unsure if research is the right path for you, here are a few personal tips:
- Ask yourself what a research degree achieves for you, establishing a clear goal to help guide you throughout your academic journey, both personally and professionally.
- Find a topic, problem or question that you are passionate about spending at least a few years investigating.
- Find a supervisor who you can trust and confide in during the highs and lows of the project.
- Make the most of this time by networking with other students, academics and industry contacts related to your project and beyond to prepare yourself for life after your PhD!
Our Industry Partners include
We work with a diverse mix of sectors including energy, water, food, IT, medicine, and space to bring a fresh lens to stubborn problems along their engineering value chains. Our program connects different generations of leaders to grapple, grasp and overcome these challenges, to unlock their deepest-held values, and bring their vision for humanity to life.
