The Master of Fine Arts research degree is designed for students who want to undertake supervised research and investigation into an approved area of Fine Arts, Media Arts, Design or Curatorial practice through a substantial body of creative practice and a 15 000 – 20 000 word dissertation. Practice-led research at UNSW Art and Design includes experimental arts, emerging technologies, creative robotics, digital imaging, interactive and immersive media, sound, painting, printmaking, performance, animation, photography, drawing (from analogue to 3D VR), sculpture, installation, video, moving image, object and product design, speculative critical design, experience design, curatorial practice, augmented virtual reality, graphic design and data visualisation.

The minimum requirement for admission to a Masters by Research is:

• an appropriate four year Bachelor's degree with Honours from the University of New South Wales, or
• a qualification from another tertiary institution considered equivalent by Faculty Research Committee or Higher Degree Committee (HDC).

In exceptional circumstances, an applicant who the HDC consider to hold academic and professional qualifications equivalent to the required qualifications may be permitted to enrol in the degree.