Enrolment and Induction
Enrolment
Your enrolment criteria will be pre-determined based on the information provided in your application (full-time or part-time) and in your offer letter. Your enrolment load (full or part-time) will continue for the duration of your candidature unless you advise the Office of Graduate Studies of a change, in writing. Enrolment should be on a full-time basis if the program to be followed represents your principal activity. It will be assumed that if you are enrolled full-time you will devote normal working hours to your research.
Four Week Window
You will be able to enrol via myHub up to two weeks prior to and two weeks after the start date that appears on your offer letter. You may amend your start date during the enrolment process. When you visit myHub to enrol you will only be able to proceed if all of the To-Do items and holds have been completed. Further enrolment instructions can be found at myHub Student Self-Service web page.
Part-time Employment
You may accept part-time employment to supplement or provide income necessary to sustain a full-time program, but the extent of that part-time employment must not detract from your ability to fulfil obligations imposed by full-time candidature, except in exceptional circumstances and with approval from the Assistant Dean Research Training. If you have permanent employment in excess of an average of 20 hours per week you must enrol in the degree on a part-time basis.
Scholarship holders must be enrolled full-time except in circumstances approved by the Research Training Sub-Committee. Scholars enrolled part-time must pay tax on their scholarship. Scholars may work no more than eight hours per week and only if it does not interfere with their program of study.
International students cannot be enrolled part-time, nor work more than 20 hours per week in line with their visa provisions.
International students who change their citizenship status to permanent residency must inform the Office of Graduate Studies and Student Services immediately.
Off Campus Candidature
Under the Degree Rules "a candidate shall be required to carry out the program in the University, except as provided for in a Jointly Awarded RHD or as otherwise permitted by the Assistant Dean Research Training". When considering an application for off-campus enrolment, the Assistant Dean Research Training must be satisfied you reside and work outside a 50km radius of the campus. You must advise how often face-to-face contact with the Supervisor will take place and by what method contact will be maintained with your Supervisor. You must submit the request in writing together with the written support of the Supervisor and Head of School. Formal approval is required from the Assistant Dean Research Training.
You will be responsible for providing your own resources and you should be aware that the University does not provide special services should you wish to undertake this mode of study.
The application form is available from the Office of Graduate Studies.
Concurrent Enrolment
As a candidate for a research higher degree, either Masters or Doctoral, you must not be enrolled concurrently as a candidate for any other degree or qualification at this or any other higher education institution, except with the permission of the Pro Vice-Chancellor (or nominee) and the Dean of Graduate Studies.
Notwithstanding, as a Doctoral candidate you may be permitted to undertake a period of study at another higher education institution (often overseas) if the proposed studies are a necessary and integral part of your program. In such cases, access by you to facilities at the alternative institution and supervision and control within the institution, must be arranged through your supervisor in advance and given formal approval by your Assistant Dean Research Training.
Candidates enrolled in a Jointly Awarded RHD Program will be concurrently enrolled at the partner institution and the University of Newcastle.
Induction
Prior to your enrolment you were required to acknowledge the RHD Induction requirement and nominate a method of undertaking this program. The acknowledgement provided details about the content of induction and highlighted the areas covered by the program. Induction provides information on the University's policies and practices, requirements of candidature, Library and other facilities and services available in respect of postgraduate studies. Current RHD candidates and student representatives also provide valuable input.
All candidates are encouraged to register and attend a live induction session as this provides an opportunity to ask questions and meet fellow candidates and relevant people from various administrative services and faculties.
We also have an online induction program. This can be undertaken in addition to, or, in place of the live session. At least one of the induction options provided by the Office of Graduate Studies must be completed by all new RHD students, generally within six weeks of commencing. To access the online induction, log in to Blackboard and 'Induction for Research Higher Degree Students' will be listed on your course list. Instructions for completing the induction are available within the program. The online program also provides you with a useful resource to refer to during your candidature.
You may also be invited to attend an induction session conducted by your Faculty. At this session you will be provided with Faculty and School policy and procedures in respect of postgraduate studies and you will be introduced to the Faculty and School administration. It is important for you to attend your faculty induction session as practices and expectations can vary between faculties. Faculty or School staff will be responsible for settling you into your School, introducing you to members of the School and, ensuring that you have basic facilities such as a desk and chair, access to a phone, a mail delivery point, and access to computing and photocopying facilities.
Student ID Card
Your Student photo Identification Card is your most important form of identification while you are enrolled at the University of Newcastle. It is used for identification purposes when sitting examinations, for library use and for computer access.
As a commencing student you will need to have your photograph taken at Student Services to obtain your student ID Card.
As a commencing off campus student you will need to complete a Student ID Card Request Form (provided as part of your enrolment package) and attach a passport size photograph to obtain a Student ID Card.
If you lose your Student ID Card you can obtain a replacement by completing a form from Student Services and paying a fee.
