First Year Requirements
All new students are registered for the Advanced Graduate Program (APG) for a period of 12 months (for full-time students, or 24 months for part-time students). After this probationary period, and providing that the student has met the requirements of the first year, as agreed by their Thesis Committee, students will ordinarily be recommended for transfer to the full PhD program.
In the normal course of events students who show due diligence and effort and substantive evidence of performance in their first year of study transfer automatically to the full PhD program. To ensure that the maximum number of students progress we encourage students and supervisors alike to report any problems with the research program as soon as they are identified, so that remedies can be sought.
Students should be aware that transfer to the full PhD program is contingent on completing successfully their first year of academic study.
In the unusual circumstance that a student should fail to meet first year requirements, the APG program may, with the permission of the Senior Postgraduate Tutor, and in consultation with the Thesis Committee, be extended for a maximum period of 3 months. After this time, the student may be reconsidered for transfer to the full PhD program. Failure to complete the first year of the program will result in termination of the program and withdrawal of funding.
We emphasise that provided due effort and substantive evidence of progress has been made in the first year of study we normally expect our students to progress from APG status to the full PhD program. A recommendation for progression requires completion of each of the above requirements to the satisfaction of the Thesis Committee and a positive report from the Thesis Committee concerning progress made during the first year.
Training Passport
A formal requirement for all PhD students is the completion of the Training Passport. In this document, students should record all training performed in support of their research program. This can include attendance at Summer/Winter Schools, workshops, and observing trips, as well as graduate level courses offered to PhD students by the Department. Individual groups will often tailor graduate level courses to the specific needs of researchers in their area.
If students recognise that there are courses which they would like that are not being offered, they should inform the Academic Postgraduate Tutor. Wherever possible, every effort will be made to include courses necessary to support the broad range in training programs offered across the six departmental groups.
Formal Requirements
The formal requirements for the first year program are as follows :
- Submit First Year Report
- Submit a brief statement giving the proposed timetable for completion of your thesis
- Give a presentation
- Complete Postgraduate Courses totalling 30 credits
- Satisfactory completion of Training Passport
- Written assessment of progress from your supervisor
- Written assessment of First Year presentation
- Thesis committee assessment of First Year Report
Successful completion of all of the above will automatically result in a recommendation by the Thesis Committee to Senate for student transfer from APG status to the full PhD program.
In the rare event that a student fails to meet the requirements for the first year, the student will be referred to the Postgraduate Tutors, who, in consultation with the Thesis Committee, may recommend either an extension to the APG program (for up to a maximum of three months), or in exceptional circumstances, discontinuation of the PhD program.
Useful Links
Guide to First Year Presentations
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