Requirements for research degree candidates

Research degree candidates have a number of University and Faculty requirements that must be met in order to progress through the degree. Failure to meet these requirements can result in review or termination of the candidature. The Rules of the University relating to students is published in the UTS: Calendar and online at:

Candidates are expected to be aware of current rules and policies affecting their candidature and progression requirements. Candidates are required to provide current contact details and other relevant information to their supervisors, the Faculty and the University Graduate School. It is the candidate's responsibility to inform their supervisors, the Faculty and the University Graduate School of changes in their contact details or circumstances that will affect their candidature.

Progress by semester

It is the responsibility of each candidate and supervisor to discuss, at the beginning of each semester, the progress anticipated throughout that semester. The initial consultation between candidate and supervisor should include the establishment of a form of agreement, or contract, which identifies certain minimum requirements for that semester. These consist of setting an agenda for regular contact, presenting in Graduate workshops and attending the presentations of others, identifying the criteria by which to judge the progress of the research being undertaken that semester, attending coursework subject sessions and successful completion of coursework (where appropriate) and the submission of semester progress reports.

Progress reports

It is a University requirement that all research students who are enrolled and are not on leave of absence or under examination for that semester, complete and return a progress report for Autumn and Spring semesters (Rules 3.4.9.1 and 3.5.8.1). Progress reports are sent to the student by the University Graduate School and must be completed by the student and their supervisors and returned to the Faculty by the due date.

Graduate workshops

Graduate workshops are held during Faculty Research Weeks. It is a condition of candidature with the Faculty that research degree candidates present at and attend Graduate Workshops at least once per year for part-time students and twice per year for full-time students. Candidates are not expected to present in the first semester of candidature. The presentation should relate to the student's research, area of study or methodology. These workshops provide an ideal opportunity to obtain peer review, gain insight into other research being conducted, to learn new methodologies being employed and to form a network with peers and academic staff. The importance of these workshops to the academic development of research degree candidates should not be underestimated.

Doctoral and Master's Assessment (confirmation of candidature)

It is a University requirement that all research degree candidates undertake a formal assessment during the early phase of their candidature (Rules 3.4.9.1. and 3.5.9.1). The assessment comprises an oral presentation (up to 20 minutes) to a panel of assessors and the submission of written work (up to 10,000 words).

The objectives of the assessment are to ensure that: (i) candidates have the knowledge and skills to enable successful and timely completion of their research program, (ii) candidates who are not suited / equipped to work towards a research degree are made aware of this fact before they have invested considerable time and money, and (iii) there is a commitment by the University through the supervisor and the Faculty for the provision of sufficient human and physical resources to enable satisfactory completion of the research program.

Master's candidates are required to undertake assessment before or at the end of the first two semesters for full-time students and before or at the end of the first three semesters for part-time students.

Doctoral candidates are required to undertake assessment before or at the end of the first two semesters for full-time students and before or at the end of the first three semesters for part-time students.

The assessment panel comprises the candidate's Principal supervisor, Co-supervisor (and panel if applicable), the Chair of the panel (usually the Responsible Academic Officer), the Course Coordinator and two External Examiners, which are nominated by the candidates supervisor/s and approved by the RAO. Members and students of the Faculty are also invited to attend as observers, but do not contribute towards the decision of the panel. After the assessment, the panel discusses the candidates presentation and work.

The candidate will be informed of the panel's determination verbally if appropriate) or in a meeting with the Chairperson, supervisors and candidate as soon as practical. The candidate will be informed of the panel's decision by mail within two weeks of the assessment date and copies of the letter will be forwarded to the candidate's supervisors and the University Graduate School. Candidates who do not satisfy the requirements for the Doctoral or Masters Assessment will not be permitted to proceed with their candidature unless with the approval of the UTS Academic Board. Then, they will be invited to re-attempt the assessment six months after they have been notified in writing of the unsatisfactory outcome.

The written component of the assessment must be submitted to the Student Officer: Research and Graduation no later than 10 working days before the assessment date.

The University Policies and Rules relating to Doctoral and Master's Assessment can be found on the University Graduate School website. The Faculty's Guidelines for Doctoral and Master's Assessment (components and procedures) can be obtained from the Student Officer: Research and Graduation or from the Faculty research website at:

Submission of thesis

All research degree candidates are required to submit a thesis to complete their program. The University has a number of rules and requirements for the submission of theses (see Rules 3.4.10–3.4.13 for Masters candidates and 3.5.10–3.5.13 for Doctoral candidates).

The University Rules relating to the thesis topic, the submission of theses and the examination of theses are in the UTS: Calendar and online at:

The University Graduate School also provides information on the requirements for submission, which can be obtained from their website.

It is a University requirement (Rule 3.5.10.6) that candidates for Doctoral degrees make an oral presentation of their work in to a panel or audience. This must be completed in the six months prior to submission.

The examination process

Theses are examined by examiners (not including supervisors) that are appointed by the University Graduate School Board following recommendation by the Faculty. In the case of Master's candidates, at least one of the two examiners will be external to the University, for Doctoral candidates at least two of the three examiners will be external to the University.

Candidates for a research degree may be required to undertake an oral defence of their thesis under such conditions as determined by the University Graduate School Board.

For Rules relating to the examination process see Rule 3.4.11 for Master's candidates and Rule 3.5.11 for Doctoral candidates.