There are 115 Masters Degree (Research) courses offered by 4 CRICOS-registered providers across South Australia. This AQF Level 9 qualification is designed for students who want to pursue advanced research in their field, culminating in a thesis or equivalent research output. South Australia is home to three prestigious public universities in Adelaide (University of South Australia, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide University) plus Flinders University, all offering research degrees across ten broad fields of education. With tuition fees ranging from A$54,953 to A$125,000 and durations from 1 year 6 months to 2 years 1 month, this page helps you compare options and understand visa requirements for studying in SA.
Counted from the official register for SA: 119 non-expired CRICOS courses across 7 providers.
Most common course levels
Planning baseline from the CRICOS register [CRICOS register, Apr 2026]. Confirm fees, intakes and visa settings with the provider and government sources before applying.
Ranked by active CRICOS course coverage for Masters Degree (Research) in South Australia on the April 2026 register snapshot. Recalculated this build (2026-10-05). Use this as a shortlist, then confirm current fees and intakes with each provider.
Commercial disclosure: Payment does not affect this ranking or inclusion. Ordering is coverage-based from the CRICOS register — not an endorsement or quality score. How we rank · Is this legit?
Adelaide University is a government CRICOS provider with 497 active courses matched to Masters Degree (Research) in South Australia. Indicative course totals on register from A$12,110 to A$592,590. Common levels include Non AQF Award, Associate Degree, Bachelor Degree.
How this listing is sourced: Official CRICOS register (Apr 2026) — provider code 04249J, Government, 497 non-expired course listings for this page filter.
Flinders University is a government CRICOS provider with 448 active courses matched to Masters Degree (Research) in South Australia. Indicative course totals on register from A$459 to A$415,381. Common levels include Non AQF Award, Bachelor Degree, Masters Degree (Research).
How this listing is sourced: Official CRICOS register (Apr 2026) — provider code 00114A, Government, 448 non-expired course listings for this page filter.
University of South Australia (UniSA)
University of South Australia (UniSA) is a government CRICOS provider with 344 active courses matched to Masters Degree (Research) in South Australia. Indicative course totals on register from A$1 to A$231,000. Common levels include Bachelor Degree, Graduate Diploma, Masters Degree (Coursework).
How this listing is sourced: Official CRICOS register (Apr 2026) — provider code 00121B, Government, 344 non-expired course listings for this page filter.
The University of Adelaide (Adelaide)
The University of Adelaide (Adelaide) is a government CRICOS provider with 341 active courses matched to Masters Degree (Research) in South Australia. Indicative course totals on register from A$2,000 to A$567,990. Common levels include Doctoral Degree, Masters Degree (Research), Masters Degree (Coursework).
How this listing is sourced: Official CRICOS register (Apr 2026) — provider code 00123M, Government, 341 non-expired course listings for this page filter.
Torrens University Australia Limited
Torrens University Australia Limited is a private CRICOS provider with 108 active courses matched to Masters Degree (Research) in South Australia. Indicative course totals on register from A$500 to A$129,000. Common levels include Bachelor Degree, Diploma, Masters Degree (Coursework).
How this listing is sourced: Official CRICOS register (Apr 2026) — provider code 03389E, Private, 108 non-expired course listings for this page filter.
TAFE SA is a government CRICOS provider with 80 active courses matched to Masters Degree (Research) in South Australia. Indicative course totals on register from A$5,875 to A$80,260. Common levels include Diploma, Non AQF Award, Associate Degree.
How this listing is sourced: Official CRICOS register (Apr 2026) — provider code 00092B, Government, 80 non-expired course listings for this page filter.
Le Cordon Bleu Australia Pty Limited
Le Cordon Bleu Australia Pty Limited is a private CRICOS provider with 69 active courses matched to Masters Degree (Research) in South Australia. Indicative course totals on register from A$9,980 to A$82,551. Common levels include Advanced Diploma, Bachelor Degree, Graduate Certificate.
How this listing is sourced: Official CRICOS register (Apr 2026) — provider code 02380M, Private, 69 non-expired course listings for this page filter.
SAE Institute Pty Ltd is a private CRICOS provider with 54 active courses matched to Masters Degree (Research) in South Australia. Indicative course totals on register from A$12,498 to A$85,249. Common levels include Bachelor Degree, Associate Degree, Diploma.
How this listing is sourced: Official CRICOS register (Apr 2026) — provider code 00312F, Private, 54 non-expired course listings for this page filter.
Young Rabbit Pty Ltd is a private CRICOS provider with 47 active courses matched to Masters Degree (Research) in South Australia. Indicative course totals on register from A$4,100 to A$23,130. Common levels include Non AQF Award, Diploma, Advanced Diploma.
How this listing is sourced: Official CRICOS register (Apr 2026) — provider code 01331F, Private, 47 non-expired course listings for this page filter.
Greenwich College Pty Ltd is a private CRICOS provider with 44 active courses matched to Masters Degree (Research) in South Australia. Indicative course totals on register from A$1,660 to A$28,000. Common levels include Non AQF Award, Certificate IV, Diploma.
How this listing is sourced: Official CRICOS register (Apr 2026) — provider code 02672K, Private, 44 non-expired course listings for this page filter.
Similar to a register-first directory: every claim you can act on should be checkable against an official source. Full ranking rules: methodology.
Maintained by HeadStart Academy editorial · Snapshot recalculated this build (2026-10-05).
| Field of Education | Approx Tuition Range | Approx Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 01 Natural and Physical Sciences | $60,000 – $110,000 | 1.5 – 2 years |
| 06 Health | $65,000 – $125,000 | 1.5 – 2 years |
| 03 Engineering and Related Technologies | $70,000 – $120,000 | 1.5 – 2 years |
| 09 Society and Culture | $55,000 – $95,000 | 1.5 – 2 years |
| 08 Management and Commerce | $60,000 – $100,000 | 1.5 – 2 years |
| 07 Education | $58,000 – $98,000 | 1.5 – 2 years |
| 02 Information Technology | $65,000 – $105,000 | 1.5 – 2 years |
| 04 Architecture and Building | $70,000 – $115,000 | 1.5 – 2 years |
| 10 Creative Arts | $55,000 – $85,000 | 1.5 – 2 years |
| 05 Agriculture, Environmental and Related Studies | $65,000 – $100,000 | 1.5 – 2 years |
| 12 Mixed Field Programmes | $60,000 – $90,000 | 1.5 – 2 years |
A Masters Degree (Research) is a postgraduate qualification at Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Level 9. It is a research-intensive degree that typically requires a significant thesis or research project, supervised by academic staff. Entry usually requires a bachelor's degree with honours (AQF Level 8) or equivalent, and strong academic performance. Some providers may also consider relevant professional experience. This degree qualifies graduates for advanced professional practice or further study at the doctoral level (PhD, AQF Level 10). It is distinct from a coursework master's degree as it focuses on independent research, critical analysis, and contribution to knowledge. International students must be enrolled in a CRICOS-registered course and meet visa requirements, including demonstrated English proficiency.
Tuition fees for Masters Degree (Research) courses in South Australia vary by provider and field. Indicative total tuition ranges from A$54,953 to A$125,000 for the full program. Duration ranges from 1 year 6 months (~78 weeks) to 2 years 1 month (~107 weeks). The table below shows approximate ranges by field of education. Note that fees are set by institutions and subject to change; always confirm directly with the provider. Additional costs include Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), living expenses (approx. A$500–A$700 per week for rent, food, transport), and student services fees. South Australia offers a lower cost of living compared to Sydney or Melbourne, with typical rent for a single bedroom in the city centre around A$250–A$350 per week.
South Australia has four CRICOS-registered providers offering Masters Degree (Research) courses: University of South Australia (UniSA) in Adelaide offers 48 courses, making it the largest provider. UniSA is known for its strong industry connections and research centres. The University of Adelaide (Adelaide) and Adelaide University each offer 23 courses; the former is a Group of Eight member with a historic campus, while Adelaide University (04249J) is a newer institution focused on innovative programs. Flinders University (21 courses) is based in Bedford Park and excels in health and medical research. All are government-owned and CRICOS-registered.
Masters Degree (Research) courses in South Australia cover ten broad fields: Natural and Physical Sciences (01), Health (06), Engineering and Related Technologies (03), Society and Culture (09), Management and Commerce (08), Education (07), Information Technology (02), Architecture and Building (04), Creative Arts (10), and Agriculture, Environmental and Related Studies (05). There is also Mixed Field Programmes (12). This diversity means you can pursue research in areas from biomedical science to creative writing. Each provider specialises in different areas: Flinders excels in health, UniSA in engineering and business, and the University of Adelaide in sciences and humanities.
English language requirements vary by provider and course level. Typically, international students need an IELTS (Academic) overall score between 5.5 and 7.0, depending on the field and provider. For example, research degrees in health may require a higher score (e.g., IELTS 7.0) due to professional registration requirements. Some providers accept alternative tests like TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, or Cambridge English. Always check the specific course page on the provider's website for exact requirements. If you do not meet the English requirement, you may be able to enrol in an English language course (ELICOS) offered by many providers.
To study a Masters Degree (Research) in South Australia, you need a Student visa (Subclass 500). You must meet the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement, demonstrate sufficient funds for tuition, living costs (at least A$21,041 per year), and travel, and maintain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). You can apply for a visa after receiving a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from your provider. The visa allows you to work up to 48 hours per fortnight while studying. For detailed guidance, see our Student Visa Subclass 500 page. Remember, HeadStart Academy is not a registered migration agent; consult MARA or the Department of Home Affairs for advice.
Explore your options and start your journey to a research degree in South Australia. Research CRICOS-registered providers, apply directly, and take the next step towards your academic career.
Showing 80 masters degree (research) courses from 3 CRICOS providers in South Australia.