Research higher degrees
The School of Education aims to provide a quality environment that comprehensively supports Research Higher Degree (RHD) candidates’ development as educational researchers.
We provide a high standard of supervision for our RHD candidates. If you have any queries about supervision arrangements you should contact the Deputy Head of School, Research Development, Professor Max Smith.
The School provides a range of material resources such as direct financial support, study rooms, professional learning workshops, conference and external workshop attendance support. More information about these support schemes is available in the School RHD Induction Kit.
We also provide opportunities for candidates to regularly present papers on their Masters / Doctoral research in a supportive environment during their candidature, through fortnightly SSTAR Sessions (Staff and Students talking about Research), held on Tuesdays 10.00am to 11.30am in HA96 and the biannual Postgraduate Research Conferences.
Financial support
All RHD candidates have access to $1500 per year (full-time equivalent study). The total amount available over the life of the candidature is as follows:
- $6000 - PhD (4 years full-time or part-time equivalent)
- $3000 - MPhil (2 years full-time or part-time equivalent)
This financial support is provided, on application, to reimburse students for research related expenditure such as:
- Conference registration and associated costs in presenting a conference paper
- Data entry / transcription costs
- Field work costs
- Essential research books
- Thesis printing and binding
Conditions apply to the funding. Policies and the application procedure are detailed in the School RHD Induction Kit below. For further advice on policies and applications please contact the Deputy Head of School, Research Development.
As of 2008, all RHD candidates are provided with a free laptop (DELL), in addition to their annual financial support, fully supported with basic software packages.
School RHD Induction Kit
Upon enrolment each RHD student receives a hard copy binder with useful RHD information and contact details as part of their induction to RHD study with the School. An overview of the manual is available here.
Related forms and guidelines referred to in the Induction Kit are available below:
- Guide to Confirmation of Candidature
- Confirmation Candidate Cover sheet
- Confirmation Committee Review form
- RHD Candidate Annual Progress Report
- Provision of Laptops
- Research Training Scheme Funding Policy Information and Guidelines
- Research Training Scheme Funding Policy Application Form
- Research Training Scheme Funding Policy PRE Application Form
- Conference Travel Scholarship Information and Guidelines
- Conference Travel Scholarship Application
- International Fieldwork Grant Application
- International Fieldwork Grant Information
- Recognition Award Information and Guidelines
- Recognition Award Application
- External Research Course Support Application Form
- Confirmation Guidelines
Postgraduate Research Conference
The School hosts biannual postgraduate research conferences as a forum for RHD students to present their research to an academic audience, and to engage in constructive discussion about their work and its development. Further information is available on the School Events Page here
SSTAR - Staff & Students talking about Research
The School hosts fortnightly SSTAR sessions where students and staff are encouraged to give an informal presentation and engage in dicussion on current research interests. Dates and times are available on the School Events Page here . Copies of presentations from these sessions can also be made available on the School's Blackboard site.
SSTAR - Staff & Students talking about Research
Do you want to know more about educational research at the University of Newcastle? Are you interested in finding out about postgraduate study? Come along to hear School of Education staff and current research students present their latest research findings.
SSTAR Fortnightly Sessions for 2012 - Tuesdays 10am to 11.30am in Room HA96 as follows:
Semester 1: March 6 & 20, May 1, 15 & 29, July 31
Semester 2: August 14 & 28, September 11, October 16 & 30
SSTAR Postgraduate Student Conferences
Semester 1: Friday 13 April
Semester 2: Friday 5 October

