Change Management

This image shows the HDR Candidature Journey, including the new milestones and when they should take place, as well as a summary of the information and documentation that should be provided at each milestone.

2024 HDR Course Rules

Q: How long is my HDR Candidature?

A: The maximum duration of PhD Candidature is now four years full-time or eight years part-time. (Note the RTP Scholarship for PhD candidates is for 3.5 years.) The maximum duration of MPhil and master by research candidature is two years full-time or four years part-time. (The RTP scholarship for research masters degrees is two years.)

Q: What is the main benefit of choosing the new 2024 course rules?

A: New thesis examination outcomes are more advantageous under the new course rules and the new Thesis Submission and Examination Policy. In the old course rules, you could fail at the first examination; however, in the new course rules you cannot fail the first examination. You either pass, are required to do amendments, or revise and resubmit to the examiners. Only those who are required to revise and resubmit may fail the re-examination.

Q: If I choose to transition to the new course rules, does the duration of my candidature change?

A: If you choose to transition on the new course rules, the duration of PhD candidature will be four years and master by research candidatures will be two years. Your scholarship duration will remain as stipulated in your terms and conditions; however, if you are a PhD candidate on a three-year scholarship, you will have the opportunity to apply for the six month DVCR Completion Scholarship.

Note: International students should check their visa dates before opting for the longer candidature.

Milestones

Q: Regarding milestones, what happens if you are more than half-way through your candidature, do you have to complete the Mid-Point Review Milestone?

A: No, you will start the milestones from the point that you change to the new rules. For example: if you are a PhD candidate and you only have one year left of your candidature, then your next milestone will be the Thesis Review which will take place 3 – 6 months prior to submission.

Q: Who will be involved in the milestone reviews?

A: Each milestone review panel will include the supervisory team, HDR Coordinator (Chair), and a discipline representative (this can be a different person at each milestone).

Q: Could the Research Pathways Conference or Three Minute Thesis be used as a milestone seminar?

A: Yes, the Research Pathways Conference or any other academic conference presentation can count in place of a milestone research presentation (keep the conference program or notification that your abstract is accepted as evidence and note any feedback or questions you receive).  Three Minute Thesis can be used for the Mid-Point Review Milestone, but not the Thesis Review Milestone.

Scholarships

Q: How long is my scholarship?

A: Terms and conditions for each scholarship differ. The RTP Scholarship for PhD candidates is for 3.5 years (full-time). The RTP scholarship for research masters degrees is two years (full-time).

Q: What are the changes to the DVCR Completion Scholarship?

A: Students on the old policy who are on a three-year scholarship can apply for the DVCR Completion Scholarship which is up to six months. From 2024 onward, the RTP Scholarships are 3.5 years for PhD candidates.

Q: For PhD candidates commencing in 2024 and onwards, will there be a completion scholarship at the end of the 3.5 years to take the scholarship to the four-year maximum duration of candidature?

A: At the moment there is no funding in place; however, in future years the Schools or Faculties might provide funding for a completion scholarship extending beyond 3.5 years.

Q: Can part-time students apply for the DVCR Completion Scholarship?

A: Yes, but they would have to transition to full-time for the duration of the scholarship.

Q: How do the increases to the scholarships funding affect other UNE scholarships?

A: It depends on the individual scholarship that you are on, so speak to a GRS staff member about the terms and conditions of your particular scholarship.

Q: I was self-funded for one year, and then on a scholarship for two years, am I still eligible for the DVCR Completion Scholarship?

A: Yes, because you have been on a UNE Scholarship, you are eligible for the DVCR Completion Scholarship.

Q: Does the IPRA Scholarship increase as well?

A: The IPRA Scholarship is different from the RTP. There will be no fortnightly increases, but IPRA Scholarship recipients will be eligible for the DVCR Completion Scholarship, which will be awarded at the current RTP base-rate for up to six months.

Supervisors

Q: Will there be allowances for the additional workload for HDR Supervisors?

A: Academic workload is managed within each School or enrolling unit, not by the Graduate School; however, there should be minimal increase to the workload of supervisors because they are already expected to be reviewing their student’s work throughout their candidature. Annual milestones also means that supervisors will not need to complete the six-monthly HDR Progress Reports.

Depending on the degree being high or low cost, from 1/1/2024 all candidates are to be allocated the set amount of $3,500 or $2,000 per year regardless of prior allocation amounts. If candidates are over allocated (over the set amount) that’s up to the school to manage and if candidates are under allocated (less than the set amount) the school needs to provide the remaining amount to meet the amount set.

Any candidate who had received an advance on the funding that would have included 2024 in their calculation, the school must provide the extra amount, if any, for 2024 and any year after.

The 2024 Research Support Funds is NOT only for candidates commencing in 2024. The 2024 amounts are irrespective of commencement date.

Schools and/or Faculties who wish to provide more support (above the set amount, High cost = $3,500 Low cost = $2,000) to candidates are permitted to do so.

The Graduate Research School prefers all staff and candidates to use the current forms from the webpage. However, in recognition of recent and ongoing changes, the Graduate Research School will accept older form versions until digital forms and workflows are implemented later this year when the new Graduate Research Platform is introduced.