Overview of the Higher Degree by Research Process
For detailed information see the Guidelines for Higher Degree by Research Candidates, the Summary of Forms, Processes and Approvals, and the list of Higher Degree by Research Terminology.
Application for Admission
The Postgraduate Coordinator, the Faculty Graduate Studies Officer and other staff in the relevant teaching area (see Contacts) should be consulted regarding eligibility for entry to the program based on Curtin's Entry Requirements, the availability of Supervisors and facilities, and the suitability of your proposed research topic.
Following appropriate consultation you must complete an Application for Admission into a Higher Degree by Research form. Domestic students and International students not planning on studying in Australia need to submit the Application to the relevant Faculty Graduate Studies Officer (see Contacts), whereas International students applying to study in Australia need to submit the Application to the International Office. The Head of Enrolling Area will consider your Application and recommend your Admission by presenting your Application for Admission into a Higher Degree by Research form, together with all required attachments to the Faculty Graduate Studies Committee.
For information regarding eligibility please refer to the appropriate Guidelines for Higher Degree by Research Candidates and Rule 10: Degree of Doctor by Research and Rule 11: Degree of Master by Research.
If you are a permanent resident of Australia, an Australian citizen or a New Zealand citizen, once your application has been approved a Letter of Offer will be sent to you by the Faculty Graduate Studies Officer along with any information needed to complete your enrolment. If you are an international applicant, once your application has been approved the Letter of Offer and Invoice for fees will be mailed to you by the International Office together with a pre-departure Information Guide containing information on tuition fee payment, visa, health insurance and any other special requirements.
For further information see the section on Admission in the Guidelines for Higher Degree by Research Candidates.
Enrolment
To accept the Letter of Offer and enrol in the University, if you are a permanent resident of Australia, an Australian citizen or a New Zealand citizen you must complete an Enrolment form which you can obtain from your Faculty Graduate Studies Officer (see Contacts page) who will process your enrolment. You may enrol at any time of the year. If you have to pay fees your fees liability will be calculated according to your enrolment date.
If you are an International applicant, you must satisfy the requirements for enrolment and pay the indicative fees indicated in the Letter of Offer you would have received from the International Office. For international applicants who will be studying in Australia, once the necessary fees have been paid the University will send you an official document called a "Confirmation of Enrolment". This document must then be presented to the Consulate in the student's home country to obtain a Visa for entry into Australia. An international student would then usually complete an enrolment form on arrival at Curtin. International applicants not intending to study in Australia do not need to obtain a Visa, and can be enrolled as soon as the fees have been received and an Enrolment form submitted.
For further information see the section on Enrolment in the Guidelines for Higher Degree by Research Candidates.
Application for Candidacy
Full-time Doctoral research candidates must apply for Candidacy within six months of enrolment in their program of study. Full-time Masters research candidates must apply for Candidacy within three months of enrolment in their program of study.
Your Supervisor has administrative responsibility for you throughout all stages of the research degree process, and your Supervisor can suggest guidelines for undertaking the research project, give detailed advice on methods to ensure completion to a satisfactory standard within expected time frames, as well as development of the your understanding, ability and independence in the field of research. It is expected that your Supervisor will meet with the you on a regular basis and document your progress.
The Application for Candidacy form, together with a summary of the proposed research program, must be submitted for approval to the Faculty Graduate Studies Committee after approval by the Enrolling Area.
The application includes the Ethics and Research Practice Clearance and the Copyright and Ownership of Intellectual Property: Student Agreement and Ethics and Research Practice Clearance. Your Head of Enrolling Area will complete the section concerning the nomination of a Thesis Committee.
For further information see the section on Applying for Candidacy in the Guidelines for Higher Degree by Research Candidates.
Ethics Committee Approval
If you intend to undertake a research project where the research involves humans, laboratory animals, the collection of confidential information, the use of potentially dangerous chemicals/equipment or research with other ethical implications, it is essential that you examine the ethics and safety guidelines related to your field of study. Consult with your Interim Thesis Committee to determine whether the proposed research method and sampling procedure will require the approval of any University ethics or safety committees. If so, you must complete the appropriate forms and submit a research proposal that outlines your research method to the appropriate committee.
Details need to be provided of ethical and safety considerations in the Ethics and Research Practice Clearance section of the Application for Candidacy form. Depending on the nature of your research, you may also need to seek approval from ethics committees outside the University (e.g. in a hospital if you desire access to patients and/or their records).
For further information see the section on Ethics and Safety Committee Approval in the Guidelines for Higher Degree by Research Candidates.
Research and Writing of Thesis
After confirmation of your Candidature, research and writing begins in earnest. During this time you will review the literature and current research in your area, conduct your experiments, collect your data, analyse your results and ultimately produce your thesis. It is very important that you prepare a timeline for this period to complete the program within the required time limits.
At the research and writing stage it is recommended that you take advantage of the various seminars and workshops offered by your Enrolling Area, your Faculty and the University to help you in these tasks. Keep a lookout for useful courses and let your Supervisor know of your needs. View the Office of Research and Development seminar program webpage as a starting point, and this webpage also has links to workshops offered online and by other areas such as the Library and the The Learning Centre.
Your Supervisor will also assist you in preparation of your thesis through discussion of content, design and style, and providing constructive feedback and provide ongoing support in the design, guidance and supervision of the research.
For detailed advice concerning relevant documents, your role as a student and the like, please see the section on Information for Candidates in the Guidelines for Higher Degree by Research Candidates.
Annual Progress Reports
An Annual Progress Report must be submitted by every student in August each year to assist in monitoring progress. This allows identification of problems so steps can be taken to help keep you on track.
The Scholarships Office will refer to Annual Progress Reports when processing an Application for an extension to a Scholarship, therefore it is important to document all delays to your research in your report.
For further information see the section on Annual Progress Reports in the During Candidacy section in the Guidelines for Higher Degree by Research Candidates.
Leave of Absence / Annual Leave / Sick Leave
Leave of Absence
A Leave of Absence may be granted for periods of one to twelve months (Rule 10: Degree of Doctor by Research and Rule 11: Degree of Master by Research, Section 4(i)), although in exceptional cases a further period may be approved by the Faculty Graduate Studies Committee on the recommendation of your Head of Enrolling Area. Candidates are required to lodge an Application for Leave of Absence form prior to the start date of the proposed period of leave. Applications for retrospective periods of Leave of Absence will only be considered in exceptional circumstances. You will also need to contact the Manager, Scholarships if you are a scholarship holder.
For further information see the section on Leave of Absence in the Guidelines for Higher Degree by Research Candidates.
Annual Leave
You are entitled to 20 days annual leave each year, calculated on a pro-rata basis, but you must obtain your Supervisor’s permission prior to taking any leave. If this permission is withheld, it is suggested that you discuss the problem with your Head of Enrolling Area. Annual leave may not be accumulated from year to year. You will also need to contact the Manager, Scholarships if you are a scholarship holder.
For further information see the section on Annual Leave in the Guidelines for Higher Degree by Research Candidates.
Sick Leave
If an illness affects the continuation of your studies over an extended period of time you should apply for a Leave of Absence. If you are ill for an extended period and you do not formally apply for a Leave of Absence then your sick leave will not be recognised and you will still be required to complete your program within the prescribed time limits. You will also need to contact the Manager, Scholarships if you are a scholarship holder.
For further information see the section on Sick Leave in the Guidelines for Higher Degree by Research Candidates.
Submission of Thesis for Examination
Approximately three months prior to submitting the thesis for examination, an application for Approval of Examiner is made by your Supervisor and submitted through the Head of Enrolling Area to the Faculty Graduate Studies Committee.
Once the thesis is completed to the satisfaction of the Supervisor/Thesis Committee, three copies must be submitted to the Thesis Examinations Officer who will send the thesis to examiners for examination. The submitted thesis must be accompanied by a Copyright and Release of Thesis for Examination form.
If you are a Scholarship holder, you must also inform the Manager, Scholarships that you have submitted your thesis at this time as this will affect your thesis allowance.
On receipt, Examiners’ Reports will be sent by the Thesis Examinations Officer to the Chairperson of the Thesis Committee, who will discuss the outcome with the Supervisor and the student and arrange for amendments to be undertaken as appropriate.
When all the Examiners' requirements have been attended to, the Chairperson of the Thesis Committee will submit a recommendation to the Faculty Graduate Studies Committee that the degree be awarded. At the same time the student must submit to the Thesis Examinations Officer four (amended) copies of the thesis for permanent binding.
Once your thesis has been passed, if you enrolled in your higher degree from 1 January 2005 you are required to submit the final version of your thesis in digital format to the Library in accordance with the Guidelines for the Submission of Digital Theses of Higher Degree by Research Students in addition to the required number of hard copies.
For further information see the sections on Thesis Preparation (including Digital Thesis details), Submission of Thesis for Examination and the Examination Process in the Guidelines for Higher Degree by Research Candidates.
Graduation
When the thesis is classified as Passed by the University Graduate Studies Committee, your name will be placed on the graduation list for Conferral of Award by Council and you will be able to attend one of the Curtin Graduation Ceremonies.
For further information see the section on Conferral of Award and Graduation in the Guidelines for Higher Degree by Research Candidates.
