9.1 Confirmation of Candidature
9.1.1 Approved applicants for a research degree program are admitted on a provisional basis, subject to conditions approved by the University as recommended by the Associate Dean Research and other persons as may be appropriate.
9.1.2 Each research candidate will undergo a confirmation of candidature process within a specified time period. This will normally comprise a written report as well as a verbal presentation.
As a minimum, the panel will comprise: Associate Dean Research or nominee who is a senior researcher with an established high quality track record in the discipline (Chair), the Principal and Co-Supervisors (the Assistant supervisor may also attend), and a researcher with an established high quality track record in the discipline or cognate area. Where the candidate is also an ACU staff member the Associate Dean Research may vary the panel composition so as to minimise potential conflict of interest and ensure greater objectivity of the review process.
Any mandated coursework will normally have been successfully completed prior to confirmation. The Associate Dean Research will consider the reports furnished by or in respect of the candidate and the views of the confirmation panel in finalising the recommendation. Confirmation of candidature will normally occur:
- for a Master candidate between six and 12 months of enrolment as a full-time candidate or between one and two years as a part-time candidate; or
- for a Doctoral candidate within one year of enrolment as a full-time candidate or two years as a part-time candidate.
9.1.3 At the confirmation of candidature seminar, candidates normally present:
- clearly defined and described aims and purpose of their research and the identification and elaboration of the research question and/or hypotheses being investigated;
- the results of their literature review;
- the proposed research design and methodology and the rationale for their selection, including potential ethical issues;
- intended data sources;
- proposed methods of data analysis where appropriate;
- an estimated budget; and
- timelines for completing the degree within the period of candidature.
9.1.4 The Associate Dean Research will advise the University on the result of the confirmation seminar and will recommend to the Dean of Research whether candidature is to be confirmed, terminated, or whether the candidate is to be required to re-present their written report and/or thesis proposal seminar within three months.
9.1.5 When the University is satisfied that the candidate has met the requirements for the confirmation seminar, the candidate will be permitted to proceed.
9.1.6 If after the confirmation of candidature has been completed and the University, on the advice of the Faculty, deems that unsatisfactory progress has been made, the University may initiate show cause proceedings as outlined in section 17.
9.2 Upgrade to Doctoral Degree and Course Transfers
9.2.1 This regulation applies to research Master candidates, enrolled in a course of study in which two-thirds of the program is devoted to research, and where the scope, direction, or breadth of the research has altered.
9.2.1.1 A candidate will only be allowed to apply for an upgrade to a doctoral degree once they have been confirmed in their current degree.
9.2.1.2 A research Master candidate may, after a period of 12-15 months full-time enrolment (or 24-30 months part-time enrolment), apply to upgrade candidature to doctoral level. The candidate must clearly demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the panel (see section 9.2.1.3 below), how the extended research meets the expectations of doctoral level research (see definitions in Section 1).
9.2.1.3 An application for upgrade will be assessed on academic merit with consideration given to the quality of the candidate’s proposal, performance in the degree thus far, their academic history, and the report of the selection panel.
The application will involve a written submission as well as a presentation before an advisory panel. As a minimum, the panel will comprise the Principal supervisor, two research active professors in the university, and a research active professor in the discipline or cognate discipline who is external to ACU. The panel will be chaired by the Associate Dean Research (or nominee as approved by the Dean of Research). Where the candidate is also an ACU staff member the Associate Dean Research may vary the panel composition so as to minimise potential conflict of interest and ensure greater objectivity of the review process.
9.2.1.4 In the case that the request for an upgrade is approved, the commencement date of candidature will usually be backdated by a period of time equal to that part of the applicant's candidature for the Master’s degree, which is accepted as counting towards the period of the Doctoral candidature.
9.2.2 Candidates who wish to transfer courses (eg one Master Research program to another, or one doctoral program to another), must complete an application for entry into the new program.
9.2.2.1 In assessing the application and making a recommendation, the Associate Dean Research will consider the progress and outcomes made thus far in the current degree, the time consumed thus far, the academic merit of the new proposal, and the fit of the new proposal with the overall strategic research direction of the Faculty or Institute. Final approval rests with the Dean of Research.
9.3 Variations to Candidature
9.3.1 Application for Variation of Conditions of Candidature
A candidate may apply to the Associate Dean Research:
- for a course load change from full-time to part-time enrolment (or vice versa) of the whole or any part of the course;
- for Leave of Absence from candidature due to illness or other personal issues;
- for periods of extension of candidature; and
- for periods of outside study, whether in Australia or overseas.
Any such application must be made on the prescribed form and set out in full the reasons for the request as well as providing documentary evidence as appropriate and as requested by the Associate Dean Research.
Due to Commonwealth reporting requirements, retrospective applications to vary candidature will not be approved.
9.3.2 Approved Period of Leave of Absence
Leave of Absence requests will normally not exceed a total of 12 months (full-time equivalent) for Doctoral study and six months (full-time equivalent) for Master’s research.
9.3.3 Approved Extension of Candidature
Candidates may apply for a period of extension to their candidature up to a maximum of six months in the first instance subject to the approval of the Associate Dean Research. Extension of candidature will normally not be granted for more than 12 months (full-time equivalent) for Doctoral research and six months (full-time equivalent) for Master’s research. Extensions to candidature are at the discretion of the University and will usually only be granted if the candidate’s academic progress is satisfactory.