Apply for a coursework research thesis

Follow our step-by-step instructions to apply for research courses involving a thesis or research report, as part of your undergraduate or postgraduate coursework program.

The application process takes time, so to avoid disappointment please ensure you plan and apply for your project as soon as possible.
A thesis is a guided, independent research project conducted through a series of advisory meetings and self-directed study. It offers students the opportunity to undertake a focussed research project in a specific area of research interest. It is expected that students will achieve an advanced level of academic argument and the mastery of instruments for constructing and expressing that argument. The research project culminates in a body of work that communicates the process, outcomes and value of the research.

This may include (as agreed with the thesis supervisor): a written dissertation, fieldwork reports, artefacts from material experiments, and research reports.

Students will have an individual supervisor and meet for approximately one hour per week, or a blocked equivalent. The thesis student cohort, coordinator and supervisors will meet during the semester to provide an overview and comparison of the research being undertaken and the expectations for thesis.

Students who are considering enrolling in a Higher Degree by Research degree (Master or Doctor of Philosophy) in the future are strongly encouraged to undertake the thesis option.

If you have any queries about this process, email us via adp@uq.edu.au including your name and student number in your message.

BRTP(Hons) Thesis

1. Eligibility

Students wanting to complete a larger research component in their program may apply to enrol in the Bachelor of Regional and Town Planning (Honours) (BRTP Hons). Students complete the thesis via PLAN4008.

Enrolling in BRTP (Hons) is available to students who:

have completed at least 42 units towards the Bachelor of Regional and Town Planning (BRTP), including PLAN3001, and either:
have a GPA of 5.5 in the 42 units of BRTP courses OR
satisfied the Head of School that the applicant is qualified to undertake honours
have completed or starting GEOS6001
have the support of a potential supervisor on a topic outlined in the application.

2. Choose a project area

You will need to choose a topic for your research project. You may wish to create your own project in collaboration with a supervisor based on our research or select from a currently available project.

3. Find a supervisor

You will need to find a supervisor whose research aligns to the project you are intending to undertake.

Contact details for all of our staff on Our People pages.

Once you have identified a suitable supervisor, email them to introduce yourself and provide a brief description of your project idea.

Please note: Some staff may have limited capacity to supervise projects, so keep an alternative supervisor in mind to avoid disappointment. You'll need confirmation from a supervisor that they're available before you can advance to the next step in the application process.

4. Apply online

You must have a confirmed supervisor to advance to this step in the application process.

Once you have a supervisor, apply for permission through mySI-net. Navigate to mySI-net Requests > Program Change Request. Select to change from BRTP to BRTP(Hons).

Please include your supervisor’s name in the comments section.

If you do not meet the GPA requirements but you have obtained Head of School approval, please note this in the comments section.

5. Enrol in your chosen course

Once we have processed your application, you'll receive an email confirming your permission to enrol and the course code details.

You will then need to enrol in this course via mySInet.

Check the Electronic Course Profile (ECP) for details of your assessment requirements and deadlines.

If you have any queries or experience difficulties with this step of the application process, email us via adp@uq.edu.au

Master’s Thesis

1. Eligibility

Master of Architecture

Master of Architecture (MArch) students can apply to enrol in a 2-unit or 4-unit thesis. Students commencing in Semester 1 enrol in ARCH7060 (4 units) for Sem 1 and Sem 2; Students commencing in Semester 2 enrol in ARCH7061 (4 units) for Sem 2 and the following Sem 1.
Thesis is available to MArch students who:

have completed 16 units from the MArch course list (including a 2-unit MArch Research course to enrol in ARCH7063),
have, or expect to have a GPA of 5.5 or above,
have gained permission of the Course Coordinator
and have the support of a potential supervisor on a topic outlined on the application.

Students who do not meet the criteria above will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Master of Urban and Regional Planning

Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP) students can apply to enrol in Research Project Courses. Students complete the Research project via ENVM7110 or ENVM7127. Research project courses are available to MURP students who:

have completed at least 8 units from Core Courses with a GPA of 6 or higher, or
have gained permission of the Course Coordinator; and
have the support of a potential supervisor on a topic outlined on the application.

Master of Urban Development and Design

Master of Urban Development and Design (MUrbDevDes) students can apply to enrol in a year-long 4-unit thesis component of their program. Students commencing in Semester 1 enrol in UDAD7060 for Sem 1 and Sem 2; Students commencing in Semester 2 enrol in UDAD7061 for Sem 2 and the following Sem 1.

Thesis is available to MUrbDevDes students who:

have completed 6 units of MUrbDevDes core courses,
have, or expect to have a GPA of 5.5 or above,
have gained permission of the Course Coordinator
have the support of a potential supervisor on a topic outlined on the application.

Students who do not meet the criteria above will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

2. Choose a project area

You'll need to choose a topic for your research project. You may wish to create your own project in collaboration with a supervisor based on our research, or select from a currently available project.

3. Find a supervisor

4. Apply online

You must have a confirmed supervisor to advance to this step in the application process.

Once you have a supervisor, apply for permission to enrol by filling in our project application form.

You will need to provide a title and short description of your project - discuss this with your supervisor before completing the form.

The Course Coordinator will decide on applications in consultation with your proposed supervisor and based on your academic record.

5. Enrol in your chosen course

Once we have processed your application, you'll receive an email confirming your permission to enrol and the course code details.

You'll then need to enrol in this course via mySInet.

Check the Electronic Course Profile (ECP) for details of your assessment requirements and deadlines.

If you have any queries or experience difficulties with this step of the application process, email us via adp@uq.edu.au