PROFESSOR NEIL KING: In the Faculty of Health, there are three higher research degrees. The first is the Master of Applied Science, which is commonly known as the MSc. Secondly, is the Doctor of Philosophy, which is commonly known as the PhD. And finally, the Doctor of Health Science. Whilst there are common features between each of these three higher degree researches, there are also some differences.

With the Master of Science, or the MSc, it's a much shorter degree - between 12 to 18 months. With the Doctor of Philosophy, or the PhD, it's usually between three to four years full-time. And the Doctor of Health Science, again, it's three to four years, but this is more suitable for applied health professionals who have been working in the real world and want the opportunity to test a model or test a theory related to their own work.

Within the Faculty of Health, there are seven schools of research. There's the Biomedical Sciences, Clinical Sciences, Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, the School of Optometry and Vision, the School of Nursing and the School of Public Health and Social Work, and finally the School of Psychology and Counselling. In each of these schools, you'll find researchers that are experts in each of their own areas, and that will help you to identify a topic or a research area of your own choice.

So why would someone want to do a higher research degree in the Faculty of Health? Well, this is the first time that you’ll get the opportunity to investigate or examine a research topic of your own choice. So when you're an undergraduate, you had to do a range of modules or topics. Whereas this is the opportunity to identify one topic of your choice with supervision and expertise.

There is an application process, and one of the things you will need to do is write a brief research proposal. So for example, one of the things you'll need to do is ask the question, "what do you want to achieve at the end of the higher research degree?" And secondly, "how will you go about this?" There is some assistance to do this and there is also an application procedure.

One of the commonly asked questions is, "how much do I need to pay to do a higher research degree?" For domestic and New Zealand students, there are actually no fees. In addition, there are research scholarships available and QUT's website has an extensive range of scholarships that you can access. In addition, QUT Faculty of Health give you up to $1,500 a year towards your research degree. This can be things for consumables or even travel.

Another commonly asked question is, "what will my thesis look like at the end of the degree?" The first is a traditional way, which is bound in a thesis. And the second is publishing your results in journal articles, and this is another way of disseminating your information. So if you do want to go down this path, the Faculty of Health has a very efficient research office, which will guide you and help you through the application process and enable you to put in a competitive application.