Rules Governing Research Higher Degrees
| Document Number | 000830 |
|---|---|
| Date Approved | 31 August 2007 |
| Date Last Amended | 7 December 2012 |
These Rules replace Rule 000093 and Rule 000579
Application of Rules
1. These Rules shall apply to degrees classified as Master degrees by research and Doctoral degrees by research of the University. The University Code of Practice for Research Higher Degree Candidature should be read in conjunction with these Rules and the relevant degree Schedules as they provide guidance to candidates and supervisors in relation to good practice in postgraduate research supervision and conduct.
2. These Rules shall not apply to degrees conferred honoris causa, Higher Doctoral Degrees, Professional Doctorates or to degrees classified as Master degrees by coursework.
3. These Rules are subject to any provisions in the relevant degree Schedule.
Definitions
4. In these Rules, unless the context or subject matter otherwise indicates or requires:
Committee means the Research Training Sub-Committee, a sub-committee of the Research Committee;
Confirmation Committee means a panel convened by the Head of School in which the candidate is carrying out the program of advanced study and research, for the purpose of confirmation of candidature;
course means any part of the program for which a result may be recorded, other than a thesis;
degree means the degree for which a person is, or proposes to be, a candidate;
Doctor of Philosophy means the degree of Doctor of Philosophy which shall be awarded for an original and significant contribution of merit achieved through a program of advanced study and research to any branch of learning of concern to the University;
Faculty means the Faculty responsible for the program;
Jointly Awarded Research Higher Degree Program (JARHDP) means an approved program of study where the candidate is enrolled at the University of Newcastle and another institution and the resulting qualification is a single degree jointly awarded, or two separate degrees. The term of each program may vary according to the particular arrangements negotiated by the University of Newcastle and the partner institution and agreed in the Memorandum of Understanding, including the format of the resulting qualification;
Masters by Research means the degree of Masters by Research which shall be an ungraded degree awarded for a significant contribution achieved through a program of advanced study and research to any branch of learning of concern to the Faculty in which the candidate is enrolled;
program means the approved program of advanced study and research for the completion of the research higher degree;
Pro Vice-Chancellor means the Pro Vice-Chancellor of the Faculty responsible for the program;
Research Higher Degree candidate (also referred to as 'candidate') means a student enrolled in a research higher degree program of the University;
schedule means the Schedules to these Rules pertaining to the relevant degree;
School means the school, or other unit of organisation forming part of a Faculty, in which the candidate is carrying out the program;
supervisor means the person appointed by the Pro Vice-Chancellor (or nominee), or where more than one such person is appointed, the person assigned the responsibility as principal supervisor;
thesis means a thesis as defined in these Rules;
University means the University of Newcastle.
Admission to Candidature
5. An applicant for admission to candidature for a degree shall satisfy the requirements of the University governing admission and enrolment, and any other additional requirements prescribed in the relevant Schedule. English proficiency requirements must be met.
6. Before approving an admission to candidature the Pro Vice-Chancellor (or nominee) may require the applicant to sit for such examinations or carry out such work as the Pro Vice-Chancellor (or nominee) may prescribe.
7. An applicant shall not be admitted to candidature unless adequate supervision and resources are available. Whether these are available shall be determined by the Pro Vice-Chancellor (or nominee) after considering advice from the Head of School.
8. Any conditions stated in the offer of admission must be met. Failure to do so may result in cancellation of candidature.
9. A copy of these Rules and any other guidelines which may be approved from time to time shall be provided to the applicant at the time of offer of a place in a program.
Transfer of Candidature
10. An applicant who has completed a period of candidature for a research higher degree in another university may be permitted by the Dean, Graduate Studies, on the recommendation of the Head of School and Pro-Vice Chancellor (or nominee), to count the whole or any part of the period of this enrolment, as a period completed in a research higher degree program at the same level at this University, provided that:
a) the period of advanced study and research has been carried out under supervision, in accordance with required ethics legislation, and is directly related to the candidate’s proposed program at this University;
b) the candidate shall have formally withdrawn from enrolment in the higher degree of the other university for which the previous tenure is applicable, except in the case of JARHDP candidates;
c) the candidate meets the minimum period of enrolment as prescribed in the relevant Schedule, other than in exceptional circumstances as approved by the Dean, Graduate Studies.
Enrolment
11. An applicant must nominate either full-time or part-time enrolment. International candidates studying in Australia on a student visa must enrol on a full-time basis in accordance with the requirements of the Education Services for Overseas Students Act (ESOS Act). Scholarship recipients are normally required to enrol on a full-time basis unless approval is received from the Dean, Graduate Studies to undertake part-time study due to extenuating circumstances.
Concurrent Enrolment
12. A candidate for the degree shall not be concurrently enrolled as a candidate for any other degree or award whether of this or another tertiary institution, except with the permission of the Pro Vice-Chancellor (or nominee) and the Dean of Graduate Studies. Candidates in a JARHDP will be concurrently enrolled at the partner institution and the University of Newcastle.
Induction
13. A candidate shall attend the University’s induction session and/or complete the online induction module at the commencement of candidature. Failure to complete this requirement may result in a recommendation being made to the Committee for termination of candidature.
Program of Study and Research
14. A candidate shall enrol and complete to the satisfaction of the Pro Vice-Chancellor (or nominee) a program of advanced study and research approved by the Pro Vice-Chancellor (or nominee). The research shall primarily be embodied in a thesis; but such other work as may be approved by the Pro Vice-Chancellor (or nominee) may also be submitted and considered in conjunction with this thesis.
15. Upon approval of admission to candidature, candidates are deemed to have provisional candidature until such time as they have satisfied the requirements of confirmation as detailed in Clauses 24 and 25 of these Rules. For candidates who commenced from 2006 onwards, a thesis may not be accepted for examination if a candidate has not been confirmed in their degree.
16. The program shall be carried out under the direction of a supervisor(s) appointed by the Pro Vice-Chancellor (or nominee) on the recommendation of the Head of the School.
17. Any significant changes to the thesis topic must be approved by the Pro Vice-Chancellor (or nominee).
18. In undertaking the program, candidates shall meet their responsibilities as set out in the Code of Practice for Research Higher Degree Candidature. Failure to meet this requirement may result in conditions being placed on continued candidature or a recommendation being made to the Committee for termination of candidature.
19. Off campus enrolment is only permitted with the approval of the Pro Vice-Chancellor (or nominee) and as provided for in a JARHDP.
Misconduct
20. Matters relating to the conduct of students, including allegations of research misconduct or non-academic misconduct, will be handled in accordance with the provisions of the University's Student Misconduct Rule.
Re-enrolment
21. To continue in a program, a candidate shall re-enrol annually, subject to leave of absence provisions. To re-enrol and maintain enrolment the candidate shall complete the prescribed procedures and pay any relevant fees and charges no later than the date set by the University. The candidate's failure to complete this requirement may result in a recommendation being made to the Committee for termination of candidature.
Ethics and Safety
22. Candidates and supervisors must ensure that the research is undertaken in accordance with any approvals required by the appropriate University Ethics and Safety Committees and where approval is required, must ensure that it is sought before the research commences. Failure to complete this requirement may result in a recommendation being made to the Committee for termination of candidature.
Examinations
23. Where a candidate is required to undertake coursework as part of their program, examinations in courses shall be conducted in accordance with the Rules Governing the Administration of Assessment Items and any further provisions specified in the relevant Schedule, or the Memorandum of Understanding of a JARHDP.
Confirmation and Progress
24. In order to progress from provisional to confirmed status, candidates are required to undertake a confirmation process within twelve months of commencement of candidature on a full-time basis or part-time equivalent and shall satisfy the following requirements:
a) the provision of a written document containing at least:
- a critical review of recent work in the field
- an updated research proposal
- an updated plan of research
- an updated timetable for completion of the thesis
- a comprehensive statement of the resources required to complete the project within the funded period;
b) the provision of an oral presentation, given to a Confirmation Committee at a seminar; and
c) the provision of a verbal defence of the research proposal before the Confirmation Committee.
25. The Confirmation Committee will determine an outcome following the completion of the confirmation process. There are three possible outcomes:
a) candidature is confirmed;
b) the candidate is required to revise their work and undertake a second attempt at confirmation within three months (FTE); or
c) a recommendation is made to the Committee for termination of candidature.
26. Normally, a research higher degree candidate may not undergo a third attempt at confirmation. In exceptional circumstances, an additional attempt at confirmation may be approved by the Dean of Graduate Studies.
27. The candidate, the supervisor and the Head of School shall submit progress reports as specified by the Committee. The candidate’s failure to complete this requirement may result in a recommendation being made to the Committee for termination of candidature.
28. In addition to the confirmation process and the progress report(s), for the purpose of assessing a candidate's progress, the supervisor and the Head of School may submit reports on the candidate's progress to the Pro Vice-Chancellor (or nominee) and Dean, Graduate Studies at any time.
29. Following submission, the Dean of Graduate Studies (or nominee), will review reports on the candidate's progress and ensure appropriate action is taken where required.
30. Following review of the submitted reports on the candidate’s progress, the Pro Vice-Chancellor (or nominee), the Dean, Graduate Studies or the Committee may place conditions on the continuation of the candidature.
Leave of Absence
31. After completion of one year of full-time or part-time equivalent candidature, a candidate may apply in writing to the Pro Vice-Chancellor (or nominee) for leave of absence from the program for a period of up to twelve months. Candidates are required to lodge the application for leave of absence on the prescribed form prior to the start date of the proposed period of leave.
32. In exceptional circumstances, the candidate may request approval from the Dean, Graduate Studies for further periods of absence.
33. For international candidates studying in Australia a student visa, leave of absence will be granted only on the basis of compassionate or compelling grounds.
34. Approved leave shall not be counted when calculating the duration of the program prescribed in the relevant Schedule.
35. On return from leave of absence, a candidate must re-enrol.
Withdrawal
36. A candidate may withdraw from the program of study up until the date that the thesis is submitted, only by informing the Office of Graduate Studies in writing and the withdrawal shall take effect from the date of receipt of such notification. Withdrawal is not permitted once the thesis has been submitted.
37. A candidate shall not be permitted to withdraw from a coursework requisite of the program except with the permission of the Pro Vice-Chancellor (or nominee), on the advice of the Head of School.
Duration of Candidature
38. The program shall be completed and the thesis submitted for examination in the timeframe outlined in the relevant Schedule.
Termination of Candidature
39. The enrolment of a candidate may be terminated by the Dean of Graduate Studies on the recommendation of the Committee in any of the following circumstances:
a) where the candidate has failed to submit a thesis within prescribed time limits, including extensions of enrolment as approved by the Pro-Vice Chancellor (or nominee);
b) where the candidate is absent without leave for a period exceeding six months;
c) where the progress of the candidate is deemed unsatisfactory by the Committee (refer to Clauses 24 to 30);
d) where the candidate has failed to otherwise comply with these Rules or the Memorandum of Understanding in the case of candidates enrolled in a JARHDP.
40. Before terminating candidature, the Committee shall notify the candidate in writing of the grounds for the recommendation of termination and shall give the candidate an opportunity to ‘show cause’ by making representations in writing. In addition, a candidate may address the Committee in person. The Committee shall take such representations into account before reaching its decision.
41. Where a recommendation that candidature be terminated is accepted by the Dean, Graduate Studies, the candidate shall be notified in writing.
Appeal Procedure – Termination of Candidature
42. A candidate whose candidature has been terminated by the Dean, Graduate Studies may appeal against the decision in writing, within 20 working days of the date of the letter of notification of termination of candidature. Appeals will be permitted on procedural grounds only. In accordance with Universities Australia Policy, appeals by candidates simply rejecting an assessment of the merit of their work will not be permitted nor will an appeal on the grounds of complaint about the inadequacy of supervision or other arrangements during the period of study. In these latter cases, the grievance procedures should be used as appropriate (refer to Clauses 46 to 47).
43. If the candidate was unable to make representation due to exceptional circumstances, the candidate may appeal for reconsideration of the decision within 20 working days of advising the Dean, Graduate Studies of the nature of the exceptional circumstances.
44. Upon receipt of an appeal, the Dean, Graduate Studies shall convey the submissions of the candidate to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) who shall determine if a case exists for reconsideration of the candidate’s termination of enrolment. If it is determined that a case does exist, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) will advise the Head of School and Dean, Graduate Studies to allow the candidate to re-enrol and resume candidature under whatsoever conditions the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) determines.
45. In exceptional circumstances a former candidate whose enrolment was previously terminated may be re-admitted by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) on the recommendation of the relevant Head of School, Pro Vice-Chancellor (or nominee) and Dean, Graduate Studies, after a period of time as determined by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research). The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) may prescribe whatsoever terms and conditions on the candidate’s re-enrolment.
Complaints Procedures
46. A candidate who has a complaint regarding supervision or other matters affecting candidature (other than in relation to classification of theses or termination of enrolment) shall normally report, in the first instance, to the Head of School. If the matter cannot be resolved at this level, the candidate shall report the matter to the Pro Vice-Chancellor (or nominee). If the matter remains unresolved, the candidate may approach the Dean, Graduate Studies, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), the Dean of Students or the University Complaints Manager.
47. Notwithstanding the above, all complaints will be considered in accordance with the University Complaint Resolution Policy.
Thesis
48. Candidates must be enrolled at the time of submission of the thesis.
A thesis submitted for a degree shall meet the requirements of the degree as prescribed in the relevant Schedule. Candidates enrolled in a JARHDP may be subject to additional or varied conditions regarding the thesis and thesis examination. The Memorandum of Understanding must be referred to in these cases.
49. A thesis:
a) shall be normally written in English;
b) shall be accompanied by an abstract of approximately 300 words describing its content;
c) shall be presented in the manner prescribed by the Committee.
50. It is recommended that a doctoral thesis submitted in the form of a typescript should not normally exceed 100,000 words, excluding appendices, tables and illustrative matter. A master’s thesis submitted in the form of a typescript should not normally exceed 80,000 words, excluding appendices, tables and illustrative matter. An exegesis forming part of a thesis and accompanying a creative or literary work or series of works should not normally exceed 40,000 words excluding appendices, tables and illustrative matter.
51. A thesis:
a) must consist of a candidate's own account of the research undertaken by the candidate, the greater part of which must have been completed subsequent to admission to candidature for the degree (except in cases where the Dean, Graduate Studies has granted approval for credit to be granted from previous candidature at another institution). Work done conjointly with other persons may be accepted. The candidate must include in the thesis, a written statement attesting to their contribution to the collaborative research included as part of the thesis, and the contributions of other persons;
b) must not contain as its main content any work or material which has previously been awarded a University degree or other similar qualification unless the Committee otherwise permits; and
c) may include publications arising as a consequence of the research undertaken for a thesis. When the candidate includes a co-authored published paper or co-authored scholarly work, or a substantive component of a co-authored published paper or co-authored scholarly work in the body of the thesis, the candidate must include in the thesis a written statement attesting to their contribution to the joint publication. This statement must be signed by the supervisor. A statement is not required when publications are included as an appendix.
d) must avoid copyright infringement.
52. In the creative and performing arts, the submission may consist primarily of items such as an exhibition, a design project, a portfolio of literary or musical compositions, a sequence of recitals, recordings, audio visual, multimedia or other creative productions. In this case, the exhibition, design project, portfolio, recitals or productions shall be accompanied on submission by a scholarly written work of critical analysis, “the exegesis”, undertaken during the period of candidature. This must provide a rationale for the techniques and strategies adopted in the creative component, and must situate them in relation to a theoretical and/or historical cultural context. Where appropriate, it may include a sustained account of the creative process.
53. A thesis submitted in the form of a series of published papers shall conform to the following:
a) a full explanatory overview shall be included to link the separate papers and to place them in the context of an established body of knowledge;
b) a literature review shall be included;
c) if detailed data and descriptions of methods are not otherwise given, they shall be included as appendices;
d) the papers must be published, in press or submitted to scholarly media only, i.e. refereed publications classified by national journal rankings and refereed conference papers, however at least 50% of the papers must have been published. Papers published up to three years prior to enrolment may be included provided they were published in scholarly media and do not represent more than 50% of the total papers;
e) publications submitted by the student for another degree may only be referred to in the literature review;
f) the number of papers submitted should be sufficient for the body of work to constitute a significant and original contribution to knowledge;
g) the candidate must be the lead author in at least 50% of the papers written in the time of their formal Research Higher Degree candidature. Any published paper of which the candidate is a joint author may only be included in the thesis provided the work done by the candidate is clearly identified. The candidate must include in the thesis a written statement from each co-author attesting to the candidate’s contribution to a joint publication included as part of the thesis. These statements must be endorsed by the Pro Vice-Chancellor (or nominee).
h) the Head of School or Pro Vice-Chancellor may seek the approval of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) to include a paper that is outside the scope of these rules.
54. Where a thesis has been examined, and the candidate has been permitted to revise and resubmit the thesis, work published since the original examination may be included as an appendix to the resubmitted thesis.
Submission of Thesis for Examination
55. A candidate shall give to the Office of Graduate Studies not less than two months written notice of intention to submit the thesis for examination.
56. a) A candidate shall submit to the Office of Graduate Studies the number of copies of the thesis as prescribed in the relevant Schedule, in the format prescribed in the Thesis Examination Guidelines; together with a statement signed by the candidate that the thesis complies with Clauses 51 a) and b). It is a requirement that an electronic copy of the final corrected version of the thesis is lodged with the University's institutional digital repository.
b) In the case of a JARHDP, candidates shall submit their thesis in accordance with the conditions stipulated in the Memorandum of Understanding.
57. The supervisor shall provide a report:
a) advising that the candidate has completed the program under the direction of the supervisor; and
b) confirming that the thesis is of sufficient merit to warrant examination.
58. In the event that the supervisor does not provide the report required under Clause 57 within two weeks following submission, or that such a report is unfavourable, a candidate may make a request in writing to the Pro Vice-Chancellor (or nominee) that the thesis nevertheless be accepted for examination. The Pro Vice-Chancellor (or nominee) shall seek:
a) the comments of the supervisor on the thesis; and
b) such other information as the Pro Vice-Chancellor (or nominee) may require;
and shall determine whether or not the thesis will be accepted for examination.
59. The candidate shall make the required thesis declaration at the time of submission of the thesis as prescribed by the Committee.
60. The candidate must have completed any courses required for the degree before the thesis is submitted.
Examination of Thesis
61. The Pro Vice-Chancellor (or nominee) shall appoint the number of examiners as prescribed in the relevant Schedule.
62. The names of examiners shall not be disclosed to the candidate prior to the submission of the thesis, nor released after the examination process is completed unless the examiner(s) specifically approves the release of his/her identity, subject to the provisions of the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (GIPA Act). Only the Dean, Graduate Studies (or nominee) may communicate with the examiners regarding the examination process while the thesis is under examination. Breaches of this provision in relation to communication with examiners will be referred to the Committee and may be interpreted as misconduct within the terms of University policy.
63. Each examiner shall submit an independent, written report on the merits of the thesis which shall contain an assessment of the thesis in relation to the stated thesis objectives and as a requirement for a research higher degree. The report shall include one of the following recommendations:
a) award: the thesis be classified as passed - the examiner may specify this category for a thesis that does not require any amendments. The Committee will require that the candidate finalise their thesis, within the timeframe specified in Clause 76; or
b) require - minor corrections: the thesis be classified as passed conditionally, subject to minor corrections, as outlined in the Examiner's Report, being made to the satisfaction of the supervisor/s - the examiner may specify this category for a thesis which requires correction of errors of presentation and minor deficiencies, but which are not of sufficient importance to warrant major corrections; such amendments must be made within the timeframe specified in Clause 77; or
c) require - major corrections: the thesis be classified as passed conditionally, subject to corrections, as outlined in the Examiner’s Report, being made to the satisfaction of the Faculty as specified by the Committee – the examiner may specify this category for a thesis which requires correction of deficiencies other than errors of presentation, but which are not of sufficient importance to warrant submission for re-examination by the original examiner; such amendments must be made within the timeframe specified in Clause 77; or
d) revise and resubmit: the thesis be submitted in a revised form for re-examination by the original examiners where appropriate – the examiner may specify this category for a thesis which requires major, substantive amendment and submission for re-examination within the timeframe specified in Clause 66. In the Examiner’s Report, the examiner shall provide detailed guidance to the candidate to assist revision and the thesis must be resubmitted together with a statement by the candidate outlining the revisions that have been made; or
e) fail: the thesis be classified as failed, without right to resubmit the thesis, on the basis that a significant amount of additional research work and/or major, substantive revision will not raise the thesis to an acceptable standard.
64. The Committee shall consider the reports of examiners, and any other recommendations prescribed in the relevant Schedule and may inform itself by seeking the opinion of the supervisor, Head of School, Assistant Dean Research Training or any other person that the Committee deems suitable to provide a professional opinion, and shall:
a) recommend to the Dean, Graduate Studies that the candidate be admitted to the degree subject to any condition that the Committee may impose and submission of the final electronic copy of the thesis as outlined in Clauses 76 to 81; or
b) permit the candidate to amend, or revise and resubmit the thesis; or
c) require the candidate to undertake further oral, written or practical examinations; or
d) recommend to the Dean, Graduate Studies that the candidate not be admitted to the degree, and that the candidature be terminated.
65. A candidate will be permitted to amend, or revise and resubmit a thesis for examination once only.
66. A candidate permitted to revise and resubmit a thesis shall re-enrol as a candidate for the degree. The revised thesis shall be submitted within a period of one calendar year from the date on which the candidate is advised of the result of the first examination, otherwise the candidature shall be terminated by the Dean, Graduate Studies. A candidate permitted to revise and resubmit a thesis must submit the revised thesis for examination at the same level as previously examined.
67. Where the examiners’ recommendations are not unanimous, before making any recommendation, the Committee may take one or more of the following actions, namely:
a) appoint the additional examiner;
b) appoint an arbiter;
c) invite the examiners to confer with each other and/or with the Committee, with a view to the presentation of a consolidated recommendation;
d) direct that the candidate undertake such further examinations either oral, written or practical as the Committee may specify.
Defence of Thesis
68. Before recommending to the Dean, Graduate Studies that the degree not be awarded, the Committee shall invite the candidate to provide an academic defence of the thesis, in oral and/or written form, in response to the reports of the examiner(s).
69. Where the examination process, including any assessment by an arbiter, leads to a recommendation that a Doctor of Philosophy thesis be classified as failed, on the basis that a significant amount of additional research work and/or major, substantive revision will not raise the thesis to an acceptable standard, the Committee may recommend that the Dean, Graduate Studies consider a recommendation that a Master of Philosophy be awarded.
70. In such cases, the Dean, Graduate Studies shall consider the examiners' reports, and any arbiter’s report, and shall consult with the Faculty and any other person deemed suitable to provide a professional opinion. In making such a recommendation, the Dean, Graduate Studies may require revisions and/or textual changes to the thesis to be made to the satisfaction of the Faculty prior to the awarding of the degree. A candidate required to make corrections to the thesis to the satisfaction of the Faculty is required to submit an electronic copy of the corrected thesis within six months of official notification of the examination outcome.
Appeals Procedure – Thesis Examination
71. A candidate may lodge an appeal against the outcome of the examination of the thesis on the basis of process, but not against evaluations in the assessment of the Examiners' Reports, nor against the Committee’s recommendation to the Dean, Graduate Studies.
Appeals Against Classification of Theses as Failed
72. A candidate whose thesis has been classified as failed may, within 28 days of the date of the letter of notification of the failed classification, appeal in writing against this classification to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research). Appeals will be permitted on the following grounds only:
a) procedural irregularities in the examination of the thesis or in the conduct of any examination which forms part of the determination of the result. In this case it is necessary for the candidate to demonstrate that an aspect(s) of the examination process, as determined in these Rules, was not appropriately followed and that this caused, or was likely to have substantially contributed to, the award of a fail grade; or
b) documented evidence of prejudice or bias on the part of one or more of the Examiners.
73. Upon receipt of an appeal, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) shall review all relevant information to determine if a case exists for reconsideration of the fail classification of the candidate’s thesis. In such cases, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) may resolve that:
a) the candidate be permitted to resubmit the thesis for examination by a new examiner or examiners; or
b) the thesis be confirmed as failed.
74. The new examiner shall examine the thesis and submit a written recommendation to the Committee under the same provisions as the original examiners as prescribed in these Rules.
Award of the Degree and Availability of Thesis
75. To qualify for admission to the degree a candidate shall have been enrolled and satisfied the requirements prescribed in the relevant degree Schedule, and in the case of candidates enrolled in a JARHDP, the Memorandum of Understanding. The resulting qualification for candidates enrolled in a JARHDP, will be that stipulated in the Memorandum of Understanding: either a single degree jointly awarded, or two separate degrees.
76. In accordance with Clause 63a), a candidate awarded the degree is required to submit an electronic copy of the corrected thesis within one month of official notification of the examination outcome.
77. In accordance with Clause 63b), a candidate required to make minor corrections to the thesis to the satisfaction of the supervisor is required to submit an electronic copy of the corrected thesis within three months of official notification of the examination outcome. In accordance with clause 63c) a candidate required to make major corrections to the thesis to the satisfaction of the Faculty is required to submit an electronic copy of the corrected thesis within six months of official notification of the examination outcome.
78. Any copies of the thesis submitted by the candidate shall become the property of the University. The copies are subject to any confidentiality agreements entered into by the University, the candidate and any sponsoring body of the research.
79. The University will retain any soft bound office copies of the submitted thesis until such time as the final electronic copy is submitted to the University's institutional digital repository. The candidate has the option of lodging a hard bound copy with the University library.
80. Once the final electronic copy has been received, the Dean of Graduate Studies and the Vice-Chancellor will approve that the degree be awarded. A research candidate is deemed to have qualified for the award of the degree when the Dean of Graduate Studies and the Vice-Chancellor approve admission to the degree under delegated authority from Council.
81. The candidate may make an application to the Dean, Graduate Studies to embargo the thesis. The Dean, Graduate Studies shall consider this application, taking into account advice from the Faculty, and may determine that the thesis will not be made available electronically or in print form without the written consent of the author for a specified period.
82. Subject to any determination under Clause 81, the Library may supply in any medium, a copy of the thesis upon request to any person or library.
Relaxing Provision
83. a) In exceptional circumstances arising in a particular case, the Academic Senate, on the recommendation of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), may relax any provision of these Rules.
b) Candidates enrolled in a JARHDP may be subject to additional or varied provisions as agreed to in the Memorandum of Understanding between the two institutions.
Effects of Changes in the Rules
84. A candidate shall comply with these Rules which may be from time to time amended or remade by the Academic Senate. Candidates may apply by exception to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) to be examined under such Rules or Regulations in force at any time during the period of candidature. Where the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) is of the opinion that any candidate has been or may be adversely affected by a change in the Rules since initial enrolment, the candidate may be permitted to continue under such Rules or Regulations in force at any time during the period of candidature and on conditions the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) may prescribe.
Essential Supporting Documents
Rules Governing Graduation 000593
Master by Research Schedule 000216
Doctor of Philosophy Schedule 000091
Student Misconduct Rule 000935
Individual Program Schedules
| Approval Authority | Council |
|---|---|
| Date Approved | 31 August 2007 |
| Date Last Amended | 7 December 2012 |
| Policy Sponsor | President of Academic Senate |
| Policy Owner | Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) |
| Policy Contact | Dean, Graduate Studies |
| Amendment History | Amendment to Clause 80 to permit conferral of research higher degrees on approval of Dean of Graduate Studies and Vice-Chancellor, approved by Council on 7 December 2012 for implementation from 1 January 2013 Minor amendment to Clause 56a to reflect current name of guidelines. Removal of links to rescinded policies 000093 and 000579, Governance and Policy, 13 January 2012. Removal of link to rescinded policy document Rules Governing Admission and Enrolment 000390. 5 January 2012. Removal of link to Rule Listing Degrees and Diplomas 000635. 20 December 2011. 5 December 2011 - Added to the list of supporting documents - New Guidelines approved by DVC (Research) - Monitoring the Progress of Professional Doctorate Candidates in the Research Component of the Program approved by DVC (Research) 5 December 2011. Amendments to Clause 62b noting a requirement that conditional pass may be given subject to minor corrections and the updating of subsequent lettering. Clause 75 the removal of reference to errors in presentation and Clause 76 with the insertion of reference to Clause 62b. Approved by Council 2 December 2011. Insertion of new Clause 20 - Misconduct, approved by Council 27 May 2011 (C11:095) to address misconduct by research higher degree candidates following the introduction of the new Student Misconduct Rule from Semester 2, 2011; and Renumbering of subsequent clauses and addition of definitions of 'Research Higher Degree candidate' and 'University' has also occurred as a result, 20 December 2011. Removal of requirement for RHD candidates to submit a hard bound RHD thesis, effective 1 January 2012. Approved by Council 27 May 2011. Amended wording to clause 63 and addition of new clauses to allow Dean of Graduate Studies to recommend the awarding of a MPhil degree subsequent to the Committee recommending a fail outcome for a PhD thesis – approved by PAS under delegated authority, 16 December 2010. Minor Amendment Governance and Policy to correct typo in Clause 24 to reflect three possible outcomes only 12 October 2010. Minor amendment - updated FOI to GIPA Act, Clause 61, 28 July 2010 Minor Amendments made throughout the document, approved by PAS 23 June 2010, to provide clarity and more precise language. Some re-numbering has occurred as a result of these amendments. Definitions for Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Philosophy inserted and Clause 50 amended by Council 21 May 2010. Minor amendment G&P to include clause referring to Rules Governing Admission and Enrolment 000390 in Intro - 5 March 2010 Amendments to incorporate reference to JARHDPs approved Academic Senate April 2008 Amended under delegated authority PAS November 2007 Approved Council 31 August 2007. Replaces Rules Governing Master Degrees by Research and Doctoral Degree by Research Rules. |