5.1 Application for Admission to Higher Degree Candidature
5.1.1 A person seeking admission to higher degree candidature will apply to the Associate Dean Research of the relevant Faculty via the Graduate Research Office using the prescribed form.
5.1.2 Applications for admission to most higher degree by research programs may be received throughout the year, although some Faculties have specific closing dates for some awards. Applicants should consult the appropriate Faculty to check on the closing date for their degree program. The date of admission will be provided to the candidate as per standard term dates.
5.1.3 An applicant who has previously been enrolled as a Doctoral or Master’s candidate at this or another institution and who has failed the examination for that degree will not be admitted as a candidate for the same research program at ACU, or be allowed to resubmit materials for examination.
5.2 Criteria to be used in Assessing Applicants for Admission
The matters to be taken into account in assessing applicants for admission to candidature may include:
- the academic record and any other qualifications and professional experience of the applicant relevant to the proposed course of study and research;
- referees' reports;
- the scope and quality of the research proposal;
- the relevance of the proposed research project to the current research interests and goals of the School/Institute/Faculty;
- performance at a selection interview, where required; and
- an applicant may also submit, or may, on the recommendation of the Associate Dean Research be required to submit, in support of the application for admission, any other relevant material. All such material will be accompanied by a formal statement by the applicant specifying the extent to which the applicant has been responsible for its preparation.
5.3 Proposed Program of Advanced Study and Research
The Associate Dean Research must be satisfied, after consultation with the Head of School or Director of the Research Institute and such other persons as may be appropriate, that:
- the program of research is appropriate for the degree;
- the program of research aligns with the Faculty research strategy;
- the applicant has adequate training and background or experience to pursue such a program; and
- adequate supervision, University support, and facilities necessary for the pursuit of the proposed research project are available.
5.4 Special Conditions
An applicant who meets the relevant admission requirements and who has maintained an acceptable standard of Master’s or Doctoral level work at another institution may be admitted on the recommendation of the Associate Dean Research and the approval of the Dean of Research.
The University will set in place the minimum length of candidature to be completed at the University prior to the submission of the thesis. In general, this period will be set as a minimum of one year of candidature at ACU prior to the submission of the thesis.
The University can recommend any courses, seminars or practical experience which a candidate will be required to attend and complete successfully.
5.5 Deferment of Admission
An offer of enrolment in a higher degree program will not normally be deferred.
5.6 Cancellation of Enrolment in Event of Fraudulent Basis of Admission
The University will cancel enrolment if an applicant is found to have been admitted on the basis of fraudulent or misleading information. Fees paid will be forfeited.