Research degree programme includes an element of coursework in the same or related fields. This provides a graduate-level foundation and prepares the student for research. The Master’s by Research structure comprises not less than 16 Units (typically 4 graduate courses).

ID5021 Design Research – 4 units
ID5151 Design Innovation – 4 units
ID5351 Design Studies – 4 units
ID5951 Topics in Industrial Design – 4 units
ID5770 Graduate Seminar Course in Industrial Design – 4 units

Research degree programme includes an element of coursework in the same or related fields. This provides a graduate-level foundation and prepares the student for research. The PhD by Research structure comprises not less than 24 Units (typically 6 graduate courses).

ID6770 Doctorial Seminar Course in Industrial Design – 4 units

Graduate/
Doctoral Seminar

To cultivate a strong research culture among graduate students, the required coursework includes a “Graduate seminar” or “Doctorial Seminar”. A Postgraduate Research student is required to attend seminars and also deliver presentations of his/her research work. Participation in seminars is an integral part of graduate study as it helps to enhance knowledge, broaden research outlook, sharpens thinking and improves communication skills.

A ‘Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory’ grade is awarded on the basis of attendance, presentation and document submission. All research students are also expected to obtain a satisfactory grade for the seminar course.

Doctoral Qualifying Examination

Not Applicable

A doctoral candidate must complete a prescribed set of courses before proceeding to the Doctoral Qualifying examination (QE). The QE comprises a comprehensive written examination and an oral defence of the PhD thesis proposal. The comprehensive written examination tests the general competence of the candidate in his/her discipline(s), while the oral defence ensures that the candidate is prepared to embark on his/her thesis research. The QE should usually be taken 12 to 24 months from the start of the doctoral candidature. 

Doctoral students are expected to pass both the written comprehensive examination and the oral defence.

Thesis component

The Master’s and PhD programme requires the completion of a thesis not exceeding 40,000 words.

Oral Defence Examination

Not Applicable

Doctoral candidates are required to undergo and pass an oral examination before a panel chaired by the candidates’ Head of Division and two examiners of the doctoral thesis. Doctoral students are required to pass their oral defence thesis examination before they are conferred their doctoral degree.