(1) Charles Darwin University (CDU) is committed to providing an environment that enables and supports transformative education through higher degrees by research (HDR) and drives world-class research in areas critical to the sustainable and prosperous development of Northern Australia and the wider region. (2) This policy is intended to serve as an overarching framework to manage the higher degree by research (HDR) courses at the University. This policy integrates other procedures around the admission, enrolment, support, training, supervision, appraisal, and examination of HDR candidates. (3) The practices and principles that underpin this framework policy are consistent with obligations within the Australian Qualifications Framework and the Higher Education Standards Framework as well as compatible with the Australian Graduate Research Good Practice Principles. (4) This policy applies to all HDR courses, candidates enrolled in HDR courses, and University staff responsible for supporting HDR candidates and courses. (5) To be admitted into an HDR course: (6) Admission into an HDR course is governed by the Higher Degree by Research - Admission and Enrolment Procedure. (7) To be enrolled into a HDR course: (8) Candidates allocated to the Menzies School of Health must comply with the policies and procedures of both the University and specific to the Menzies School of Health. In certain circumstances these candidates should follow the policies and procedures of the Menzies School of Health over those of the University, some of which are noted in this policy. (9) Each year, Research and Innovation will prompt candidates to enrol or re-enrol into the course. (10) A candidate can transfer to another (11) If candidates are not enrolled and have not arranged an approved leave of absence, their candidature will lapse and they they will be invited to show cause as to why they should be permitted to maintain their enrolment. (12) Candidates may change some details of their enrolment throughout their course. For example, domestic candidates may change their study to part-time, or a course may be deferred for a period of time. The process for changing enrolment details is covered by the Higher Degree by Research - Admission and Enrolment Procedure. (13) Candidates must notify Research and Innovation whenever they change their name, citizenship, residency or travel overseas. (14) During some or all their candidature, candidates may study externally, in which they are located away from the university campus. These arrangements must comply with the Higher Degree by Research - Admission and Enrolment Procedure. (15) Candidates may also request to conduct fieldwork overseas. To be successful, this request must be: (16) The maximum period for overseas fieldwork is 12 months for PhD candidates and 6 months for Masters by Research candidates. (17) The duration of a candidature is between one and two years full time for a Masters by Research and two to four years full time for a PhD. The duration of candidature includes enrolment in previous HDR courses unless: (18) In exceptional circumstances, the Research Committee can approve further extensions to candidature providing: (19) Extensions to candidature duration will incur further tuition fees. (20) Candidates are entitled to up to ten days of sick leave annually. Candidates my apply for further sick leave from their (21) Candidates are also entitled to leave because of jury duty or leave because of a documented case of domestic violence. (22) Sick leave, jury leave, or leave because of domestic violence that exceeds one month can extend the date at which the candidature expires. (23) Candidates are encouraged to arrange 20 days of annual recreation leave if full time and 10 days of annual recreation leave if part time. This annual leave entitlement, however, does not affect the date at which the candidature expires. (24) If candidates are a primary carer of a newborn or newly adopted child, or a mother who is due give birth within 20 weeks, they are eligible to apply for parental leave. Parental leave allows a candidate to suspend their enrolment for up to 12 months. (25) Candidates may apply for a leave of absence, which is a temporary suspension of enrolment. A leave of absence must be less than one year full time in total, across the candidature, excluding parental leave. (26) A request for a leave of absence must be approved by the Dean of Graduate Studies. (27) In exceptional circumstances, candidates may receive a leave of absence that exceeds one year if approved by the Research Committee. When candidates are granted a leave of absence, they can still: (28) The conditions of student visas usually prohibit leave of absences granted to international candidates, except in compassionate or other compelling circumstances. CDU Global will need to approve these requests from international candidates. (29) Candidates should dedicate an average of about 40 hours a week to their course if full time and 20 hours a week if part time. (30) Candidates must seek approval from the Dean of Graduate Studies to be employed or to study another course or unit. (31) Full-time candidates may be employed up to a maximum of 15 hours per week and part-time candidates up to 30 hours per week. However, it is preferred that full-time and part-time candidates be employed no more than five hours and 20 hours per week respectively. (32) International candidates must confirm their eligibility to work under the conditions of their immigration visa with the Australian Government, Department of Home Affairs. (33) Until candidates complete their confirmation of candidature, they are admitted on a probationary basis. To complete the confirmation of candidature, candidates must: (34) The Higher Degree by Research - Progression Procedure stipulate: (35) The research that candidates plan to conduct and report in their research must be completed while they are enrolled at the University or at another Australian university. The Dean of Graduate Studies may approve exceptions on the condition that: (36) During the confirmation of candidature, candidates stipulate the budget they need to complete their research. If their candidature is confirmed, the (37) Candidates who have completed a confirmation of candidature at another Australian university or in another HDR course at this University may not need to complete the research proposal or oral presentation again, provided they submit their Supervision Agreement. The Dean of Graduate Studies can waive the research proposal or oral presentation, after consulting the (38) All candidates must be assigned one principal supervisor and at least one associate supervisor during their entire candidature. This panel can also include other advisors, such as industry experts. The Higher Degree by Research - Supervision Procedure stipulates the: (39) At least one academic in each (40) The HDR coordinator may delegate some of these responsibilities to other academics in the (41) Candidates must participate in training and development opportunities to extend their research, personal, and career skills in accordance with the Higher Degree by Research - Progression Procedure. These opportunities may include: (42) Some training activities are compulsory, including induction training and research integrity training. (43) The (44) Candidates must comply with the University Work Health and Safety Policy or the Menzies Health and Safety Policy as applicable. Supervisors and (45) Candidates must comply with the University Travel Policy whenever they undertake travel associated with their research project and research training, including attending conferences and workshops. Candidates with the Menzies School of Health must comply with the Menzies Travel Policy and Menzies Travel Health and Safety Policy. (46) If candidates feel that one of their concerns was not addressed adequately, they can submit a complaint or grievance. Applicants and candidates may also appeal academic decisions that affect their standing or rights—but on procedural grounds only. Complaints, grievances, and appeals should be lodged in accordance with the Students – Academic Grievance Procedures. (47) Candidates must comply with the codes and policies that are stipulated in the Responsible Conduct of Research Policy or the Menzies Responsible Research Policy as applicable. Before candidates may start their research activity, they need to seek and maintain clearance from: (48) The University has appointed Research Integrity Advisors within each (49) Candidates may change their research plans during their candidature, such as the research question, methodology, or methods. Depending on the magnitude of these changes, candidates may need to seek approval from various bodies, such as the ethics committee, in accordance with the Higher Degree by Research - Progression Procedure. (50) If endorsed by the (51) The Dean of Graduate Studies may approve this request, especially if the candidate is significantly more likely to complete the Masters by Research, but not the PhD, on time. The date of commencement in the Masters by Research will be backdated to the date the candidate enrolled in the PhD. (52) If endorsed by the (53) International candidates must confirm their eligibility to change their research or enrolment conditions with the Department of Home Affairs. In addition, candidates from a sanctioned nation must receive approval from CDU Global to change their research topic. (54) To maintain candidature, candidates must fulfill imposed milestones, including progress reviews, during their candidature. (55) If candidates fail to complete a milestone in accordance with the Higher Degree by Research - Progression Procedure, their (56) If candidates do not complete this revised plan on time or do not progress adequately over the next 6 months FTE they may be invited to show cause as to why they should be permitted to maintain their enrolment. Once candidates demonstrate adequate progress, the Dean of Graduate Studies may remove the probation. (57) If candidates engage in misconduct, they will be invited to show cause as to why they should be permitted to maintain their enrolment. Misconduct includes breaches of the University’s Codes of Conduct and the Menzies Code of Conduct if applicable. (58) A show cause notice will be issued only after all reasonable attempts to assist the candidate. If the Dean of Graduate Studies issues a show cause notice, candidates must respond to Research and Innovation within four weeks in writing. Candidates can also choose to meet relevant staff members to discuss their case. Usually, the attendees will include: (59) The Research Committee will then consider this response to decide whether to: (60) Any notice of exclusion will be issued by the Research Committee and sent to the candidate. The notice will summarise the reasons for the decision and inform the candidate that they can appeal to the Student Appeals Committee. If the candidate does not initiate an appeal within twenty working days the University will action the exclusion. (61) If candidates lodge an appeal while enrolled, they will remain enrolled until the appeal has been resolved. If an appeal is unsuccessful, the exclusion will begin from the date of this decision. (62) The University must notify the relevant government authority of the updated enrolment status if the candidate is an international student. (63) If a candidate wishes to withdraw from their course, they should notify their principal supervisor and (64) If the candidate delays their withdrawal, they may be granted less time to complete another HDR course in future. Candidates may withdraw at any time except while their research is under examination. To prevent potential complications around student visas and tuition fees, international candidates must discuss their intention to withdraw from candidature with CDU Global. (65) The University must arrange at least two examiners to evaluate the thesis. The Higher Degree by Research - Preparation, Submission and Examinations Procedure stipulates: (66) During a candidature, tuition, oral presentations, and written submissions will be conducted in English, unless the Research Committee has approved exceptions. To approve these exceptions, the Research Committee will consider whether: (67) If these exceptions are granted, the candidate must submit an abstract as well as an outline of this thesis of approximately 2500 words to the satisfaction of the Dean of Graduate Studies. (68) When a candidate completes the requirements of a PhD or Masters by Research, Council shall award the qualification. To complete the requirements of a research degree, candidates must: (69) Research and Innovation, alongside the (70) Establishing and managing a Joint PhD Program, Dual PhD Program, or other collaborative arrangements shall comply with the Higher Degree by Research - Collaborative Course Policy. (71) If a research degree course is terminated or suspended, arrangements for managing existing candidates must be clearly documented and disseminated to all these candidates. As far as possible, this termination or suspension of the course should not disadvantage existing candidates. (72) Candidates can continue to enrol in the course until all existing students have completed the course, transitioned, or withdrawn, or for a period that is twice the duration of the full-time maximum period of candidature, whichever is shorter. (73) Non-compliance with Governance Documents is considered a breach of the Code of Conduct - Staff and Code of Conduct - Students and is treated seriously by the University. Reports of concerns about non-compliance will be managed in accordance with the applicable disciplinary procedures. (74) All staff members have an individual responsibility to raise any suspicion, allegation or report of fraud or corruption in accordance with the Fraud and Corruption Control Governance Framework, Fraud and Corruption Control Policy and Whistleblower Reporting (Improper Conduct) Procedure.Higher Degree by Research Policy
Section 1 - Preamble
Section 2 - Purpose
Section 3 - Scope
Section 4 - Policy
Admissions and Enrolment
Duration of Candidature
Leave Entitlements
Time Commitments
Confirmation of Candidature
Supervision, Training and Support
Responsible Conduct of Research
Changes During Candidature
Issues with Progression
Submission, Examination and Conferral
Authority to Change Courses
Section 5 - Non-compliance
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