Making a smooth and settled transition to your higher degree by research (HDR) program will help you to feel comfortable and best able to succeed.
Accepting your offer, getting ready for your first day, enrolment, induction and understanding the policies and procedures that apply to you are all important steps in getting started at the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC).
Now that you have applied to study your HDR program at USC, what happens next?
Accept your offer
Your admission process will slightly differ depending on whether you are a domestic or international student. To accept your offer and enrol, access the following link.
Induction at USC
Commencing your research degree can be a daunting experience. There are policies and procedures that will be unfamiliar to you, regardless of your previous level of study. At USC we know how important it is to support students and to help them feel comfortable in their new surroundings from day one.
There are a number of induction activities available to you:
HDR Student Induction
The HDR Student Induction is the important first step in undertaking your Higher Degree by Research. As a HDR student there are many new things to learn such as your obligations as both a researcher and student, managing your candidature and developing your skills. The HDR Student Induction is a compulsory process that provides you with information to not only be successful in your degree but ensures you are aware of both your rights and responsibilities. Registration is via the Graduate Research organisation in Blackboard which you can access once you are enrolled.
2022 Induction Dates
18 January
8 February
8 March
3 May
12 July
6 September
15 November
Meet with your supervisor(s)
HDR candidates are expected to arrange their first meeting with their supervisor(s). Through this meeting, students are provided with clear and comprehensive information on the expectations and degree requirements of their HDR program.
For more information on the supervisor-candidate relationship see the HDR Supervision Procedures and the HDR Academic Policy. These documents provide a framework for HDR supervision at USC and support the university’s compliance with the Higher Education Standards Framework as relevant to research training.
Self-managed induction
There are a range of other activities you should undertake in your first weeks to smooth your introduction to life as a USC research student. These are presented in no particular order:
- Familiarise yourself with USC’s Guidelines, Policies and Procedures * Particularly those items listed under Research
- Familiarise yourself with the content on the Graduate Research Blackboard Portal. Here students can access information, forms and announcements connected to their candidature.
- Visit the library and their web pages.
- Obtain a student ID card from Student Central.
- Understand what fees you will pay as an HDR student.
- Familiarise yourself with HDR Scholarship opportunities.
- Speak to your supervisor about any Laboratory inductions you need to complete (if applicable). See the “Lab and Fieldwork” tile on the Important Links page in USC Central.
Further information and links can be found on the Important Links page on USC Central (login credentials required).
@research email address
HDR candidates may request an "@research.usc.edu.au" email format by completing this online form. Once activated, your research student email address will be firstname.lastname@research.usc.edu.au.
Progressing Students
As you progress through your HDR program there will be numerous interactions with people, systems and resources to support you achieve your goals. To make the most of these interactions, it is important to understand when and how they occur.
Useful contacts
Your supervisor is your key contact throughout your degree. They will provide guidance on all aspects of your research. You will meet regularly with your supervisor to ensure you are making progress in your degree.
Each School appoints an HDR Coordinator, who is responsible for monitoring the general progress and welfare of research students in that academic area. The Head of School is available as an alternative contact for consultation.
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- HDR Coordinator: Dr Saskia De Klerk, sdeklerk@usc.edu.au
- Head of School: Professor Lorelle Frazer, lfrazer@usc.edu.au
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- HDR Coordinator: Associate Professor Deborah Heck, dheck@usc.edu.au
- Head of School: Professor Shelley Dole, sdole@usc.edu.au
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- HDR Coordinator: Dr Melinda Dean, SHBSHDR@usc.edu.au
- Head of School: Professor John Lowe, jlowe@usc.edu.au
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- HDR Coordinator: Dr Dyann Ross, dross@usc.edu.au
- Head of School: Professor Jay Sanderson, jsander4@usc.edu.au
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- HDR Coordinator: Dr John Rosenberg, jrosenbe@usc.edu.au
- Head of School: Associate Professor Amanda Henderson, ahender1@usc.edu.au
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- HDR Coordinator: Dr Jolanta Watson, HDR_Coordinator_SSE@usc.edu.au
- Head of School: Stuart Parsons, sparsons3@usc.edu.au
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- HDR Coordinator: Professor Daniel Hermens dhermens@usc.edu.au
- Director: Professor Jim Lagopoulos, Jim.Lagopoulos@usc.edu.au
- Personal Assistant: Amanda Nuske PAscmnti@usc.edu.au
The Dean, Graduate Research is the senior academic officer overseeing HDR matters across the university.
- Dean, Graduate Research
The Graduate Research School is responsible for administering USC’s HDR programs.
- Graduate Research School
- Tel: +61 7 5456 5595
- Email: researchtraining@usc.edu.au
- HDR Student Health and Wellbeing
- Sharon Andersen, sanderse@usc.edu.au
- Tel: +61 7 5456 3568
For a list of all other USC contacts, refer to the A-Z directory.
Bookmark the Student Hub to keep up-to-date on upcoming research training and event opportunities.
Other USC events are advertised on the Events Calendar and the Campus Life Calendar.
Overview of Candidature Milestones
The duration and time frames connected to a candidate’s milestones are dependent upon the type of HDR program in which the student is enrolled and the study load (part-time or full-time). As an example, the below tables provide an overview of what an HDR candidate can expect to undertake in each year of their study based on a full-time study load.
Doctoral Degree
Length of Program (Candidature) – 4 years (Full Time Equivalent)
| Year | Milestone | Occurs |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | Induction | Upon commencement of program |
| Research Ethics and Integrity Training | Prior to commencement of Confirmation of Candidature process | |
| Initial Plan and Progress Review (PPR) |
2 months from commencement of program |
|
|
Confirmation of Candidature Process |
Complete 12 months from commencement of program |
|
|
Subsequent PPRs |
Every 6 months for international students and every 12 months for domestic students |
|
| Year 2 |
Probationary Expiry |
18 months from commencement of program |
|
Subsequent PPRs |
Every 6 months for International Students and every 12 months for domestic students | |
| Year 3 |
Subsequent PPRs |
Every 6 months for international students and every 12 months for domestic students |
|
Thesis Submission |
3 years from commencement of program |
|
| Year 4 |
Undertake thesis revisions (if required) |
3 months allowed for minor revisions/ 6 months allowed for major revisions |
|
Candidature Expiry |
4 years from commencement of program |
Masters by Research Degree
Length of Program (Candidature) – 2 years
| Year | Milestone | Occurs |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | Induction | Upon commencement of program |
| Research Ethics and Integrity Training | Prior to commencement of Confirmation of Candidature process | |
| Initial Plan and Progress Review (PPR) | 2 months from commencement of program | |
| Confirmation of Candidature Process | Complete 9 months from commencement of program | |
| Subsequent PPRs | Every 6 months for international students and every 12 months for domestic students | |
| Probationary Expiry | 1 year from commencement of program | |
| Year 2 | Subsequent PPRs | Every 6 months for international students and every 12 months for domestic students |
| Thesis submission | 1.5 years from commencement of program | |
| Undertake thesis revisions (if required) | 3 months allowed for minor revisions/6 months allowed for major revisions | |
| Candidature Expiry | 2 years from commencement of program |
Induction
Online induction materials and session, initial meeting with supervisor(s), and self-managed induction activities. Induction should be undertaken as near to commencement as possible.
Research Ethics and Integrity Training
Online training and quiz.This milestone can be completed by accessing the Research Ethics page in Blackboard.
Plan and Progress Review
The Plan and Progress Review (PPR) milestone requires the completion of a form which is used by students and their supervisory panel to tailor and monitor a bespoke research training program. This enables the HDR candidate to achieve the knowledge, skills and learning outcomes provided in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) for level 9 and 10 degrees.
Further information about this milestone can be found on the PPR milestone page in Blackboard.
Confirmation of Candidature
The Confirmation of Candidature milestone signals an HDR candidate’s transition from “probationary” to “confirmed” candidature. Confirmed candidature means that the research proposal has been approved and is considered to be of a good quality. Further, this milestone determines that the research project can be conducted within the timeframe provided for the applicable HDR program. This milestone requires that students submit a Research Proposal and present their work at a confirmation seminar.
Research proposals differ according to their overarching discipline. Discipline specific guidelines can be found on the HDR Confirmation of Candidature Guidelines webpage.
Further information about this milestone can be found on the Confirmation of Candidature milestone page in Blackboard.
Thesis Submission and Examination
Each candidate’s examination process will differ in duration as the time frame is dependent on examination outcomes and whether revisions to the thesis are required. As part of this milestone, students will present their thesis at a seminar and submit their thesis document for examination.
Further information about this milestone can be found on the Thesis Submission and Examination pages in Blackboard.
Making changes
During your HDR studies, you may need to make changes to your candidature connected to study load, supervision team, and research topic for example.
Information and forms connected to changes to candidature can be found in the Variations section in Blackboard.
Travel
For any travel related information connected to HDR candidature, access the Travel Blackboard Portal. A link is included on the Important Links page in USC Central.
Finalisation of successful candidature and conferral of award
Once the (revised) thesis / exegesis has been reviewed by the Research Degrees Committee and accepted to be passed, candidates are required to submit their final thesis to the USC Research Bank. The Research Bank provides an open access showcase of the USC’s scholarly research output.
Once the thesis / dissertation is deposited on the Research Bank, the Research Degrees Committee recommends to the Academic Board that the degree is conferred. Once Academic Board have conferred a doctoral degree, the recipient may then use the title "Doctor".