About Graduate Research

Graduate Research is responsible for the administration of Higher Degree by Research (HDR) candidature, from the application for admission to thesis examination.

Almost 1600 students are currently undertaking a Higher Degree by Research at the University of Newcastle. For each student, we are here to:

  • Offer research training advice, workshops and seminars
  • Connect students with peers and assist with skills development through the annual HDR Student Festival
  • Assist in understanding the University’s rules, policies and procedures.
  • Oversee the confirmation process
  • Review progress reports with a neutral view
  • Communicate new opportunities, changes to legislation that impact your candidature and general HDR related information
  • Manage changes to candidature and associated scholarship funding
  • Manage the thesis submission and examination processes
  • Develop and implement strategic initiatives, including connections to industry and internships

For future students, we aim to make the application process as smooth as possible and to answer any query you may have along the way.

Enquiries

The HDR FAQs have been developed to answer common queries from future and current students.

You can also contact us by email, telephone or by post.

E: graduate-research@newcastle.edu.au
T: +61 2 4921 6537

Mailing address:

Graduate Research
SR-G04, Social Sciences Building
The University of Newcastle
Callaghan, NSW, 2308
AUSTRALIA

Visit the HDR Hub

The HDR Hub is located in the Social Sciences Building (Room SR-G04) and is a place where you can drop in anytime between 9.30am and 4.00pm, Monday to Friday, to speak to us about development opportunities, candidature supports and resources.

Book an appointment

Current students can book an appointment with our team on the HDR HQ SharePoint Site.

HDR HQ Newsletter

The HDR HQ e-newsletter is produced monthly to provide Higher Degree by Research (HDR) students, supervisors and administrators with important news and updates.

This includes details of upcoming events and opportunities for HDR students and supervisors, information on any changes to policies or procedures that affect HDR candidature, and tips and general information for students and supervisors.

You will also find all the latest news and upcoming events, and previous editions of the newsletter, on our HDR HQ SharePoint site.

If there is anything that you would like to be included in a subsequent edition of, please email our Student Experience and Development team.

Complaints

Your Principal Supervisor is your key contact throughout your degree. They will provide guidance on all aspects of your research, including on resolving any issues that may impede your progress.

However, you are welcome to discuss any of your concerns with staff at Graduate Research or your Deputy Head of School (Research Training) at any time. Should we not be able to resolve your concerns, you may access the University complaints process.

A student complaint may flow from any aspect of a student's educational experience at the University which is considered unfair, unjust or unreasonable.

Emergencies

If you are in an emergency, you should call the police or ambulance service on 000.

If you need to speak to someone urgently outside of business hours, the University provides an after-hours crisis support phone line between 5pm to 9am weekdays, and 24 hours over the weekends and public holidays.

This service is operated by a team of qualified crisis support specialists who can support you to find relief from current distress, explore coping strategies, and safely manage any immediate threats to life or safety. The service offers immediate and short-term crisis support only, not an ongoing counselling relationship, therapy or treatment.

To access the University's out-of-hour crisis support line:

  • Call 1300 653 007
  • Text 0488 884 165 for SMS chat option

If you need to speak to someone within business hours, you can contact the University's Counselling team on 4921 6622.