The University has two programs available in all Faculties leading to the award of degrees by research only:
* Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
* Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
The University awards the degrees of Master of Philosophy (MPhil) (by thesis) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) after either full-time or part-time study. Candidates are admitted to undertake a research degree in a field of study which has been broadly identified in the University's Research Management Strategy as an area of strength:
* Educational Leadership
* Ethics and Philosophy
* Health Sciences
* Mathematics Education
* Religious Education and Religion Studies
* Social Sciences
* Teaching and Learning, including Lifelong Learning
* Early Christian Studies and Theology
Candidates may also be accepted in fields in which there exists a demonstrated capacity for research supervision. Research degree students are accepted and enrolled in a Faculty of the University and may be associated also with the University's Institute for the Advancement of Research or a Research Centre or Flagship.
The following research degrees are offered through specific Faculties.
Faculty of Arts and Sciences
* Doctor of Philosophy/Master of Psychology (PhD/MPsych)
* Master of Music
* Master of Social Science
Faculty of Education
* Doctor of Education
* Master of Education
Faculty of Health Sciences
* Master of Exercise Science
* Master of Nursing