Accessing Resources

The University provides all students with the facilities, technology and funding to succeed. It is important that you know what you are entitled to, and how to access it.

Funding Support

You may be eligible for research funding support of a minimum $1,500 pa (pro-rata) each year. This funding can be used towards conference travel, consumables or other expenses you might need to carry out your research. These funds are administered by your School and are normally only available after the successful completion of confirmation of candidature. Please read the guidelines and contact your School’s Research Officer for more information.

Facilities

Your Faculty is also responsible for providing you with access to a workstation and other office facilities required to undertake your research. See the Guidelines for Resourcing Higher Degree by Research Students (PDF, 23.2KB).

Your School's Research Officer will be able to assist with the allocation of these resources.

Computing Resources

To support you in your studies you will be provided with a free Dell laptop computer, which is yours to keep when you successfully complete. To organise collection of your laptop, please email a signed copy of the Laptop Terms and Conditions to Graduate Research: graduate-research@newcastle.edu.au. Click on the link to view the standard suite of software provided.

Dell Mobile Precision Workstation 3480 CTO includes:

  • Includes 5 years/60 months of Pro-Support PLUS warranty.
  • Includes 5 years/60 months of next business day warranty repairs (parts availability dependent).
  • Includes 5 years/60 months of accidental damage protection.
  • Please note, maximum battery warranty however is only 3 years

If your Principal Supervisor has indicated that a more advanced computer is required for your research, your academic unit will arrange for this to be issued to you.

Off-campus candidates may be provided with a laptop upon request. Note that the University is unable to provide comprehensive IT support to candidates located off-campus.

If you require access to High Performance Computing facilities or a research application not provided in the standard suite of software you can make a request via ServiceNow.

Digital Technology Solutions has produced a comprehensive booklet on standard Dell HDR laptops, along with a version for candidates who are issued a Mac by their Faculty:

Repair / Replacement of Standard Dell Laptops

The University will provide each candidate with one laptop only under this scheme. The custody and security of the computer and any accessories are your responsibility at all times. You are strongly advised to maintain backup copies of your work stored on the computer at all times.

If your laptop is stolen, lost or damaged, please note the below process for repair / replacement:

  1. The candidate reports potential damage / lost laptop to supervisors and Graduate Research
    1. Candidates reporting damage to their laptops will then be required to submit the laptop to Digital Technology Solutions for verification of the extent of the damage (minor damage may be repaired; and the candidate may be offered a temporary replacement laptop in the interim, subject to laptop availability)
    2. Candidates reporting a lost/stolen laptop will be required to complete a statutory declaration to that effect.
  2. Graduate Research will issue a replacement used Dell laptop subject to laptop availability.
  3. The candidate must return the replacement laptop at the time of thesis submission or cessation of their candidature.

Please note that the standard warranty period for new issue Dell laptops is 4 years. This does not cover any user-fault damage e.g., the laptop being dropped or liquid spillages. Digital Technology Solutions will continue to provide support for HDR laptops that exceed the warranty period, however, if the laptop is not covered by warranty this may affect the likelihood of any damage being repaired.

In an effort to support all HDR candidates throughout their program, the above process will be applied for faulty laptops out of warranty (and subject to availability), a suitable replacement Dell laptop provided.

Travel Assistance

If you travel domestically or internationally as part of your research, insurance support is available for authorised and approved trips. Approval for these activities is included in the funding application process, book-able via https://travelhub.campustravel.com.au/, or through your Faculty/School. By doing so, your travel will be automatically registered on the MyTrips system, which is used to locate you in an emergency or disaster. The University's travel policy does not cover personal travel.

Please note that if your travel is not booked through official channels, you may not be covered by the University insurance scheme and you will not be automatically registered on the MyTrips system. For more information, visit the Student Travel webpage.