Research Higher Degrees Policies and Procedures
The research higher degree policies and procedures, available online, outline the rules for undertaking a research higher degree at Flinders University - students should familiarise themselves with these rules.
Induction
At Flinders University, Induction sessions for new Research Higher Degree (RHD) students are held each semester in March and August. These are facilitated by the Staff Development and Training Unit, this seminar will provide a general introduction to all essential information about candidature. Additionally, Induction aims to provide guidance and advice on how to adjust to University life at this level. At Induction, student entitlements and responsibilities are defined and clearly communicated, and information is given about the opportunities to meet other resaerch students and staff. Students are given the opportunity to learn about the experience of undertaking a doctoral thesis from an experienced student, and also to hear about the career advantages of taking a higher degree from Flinders University from a highly successful past student.
New students will receive a formal letter of invitation to the first seminar after enrolment from the Chair of the University Research Higher Degrees Committee.
Research Proposal
The initial definition of the topic is provided in the application for candidature and a more detailed research proposal is required 6-12 months after beginning candidature. The form of the research proposal will vary across Schools but will normally cover such matters as: proposed title and topic; rationale, aims and objectives and methodology; literature review; preliminary bibliography; timetable; a provisional table of contents and an indication of any special considerations that may be required. This proposal is examined by a Committee of the supervisors, postgraduate coordinator and at least one other person not involved in the supervision of the student. A report on the status of the proposal, signed by members of the Proposal Committee is forwarded to the Faculty Research Higher Degrees Officer soon after the proposal meeting. The recommendation will be forwarded to the Chair of the Research and Research Higher Degrees Committee and a copy will be kept on file.
The proposal will be assessed to ensure that the project is viable and that there are resources available to support the proposed project. In the case of MA students seeking to upgrade to a PhD the research proposal may be used as part of the upgrade procedure. Other requirements, such as for presentation of seminars by students, vary across Academic Organisational Units. Students should consult with their Postgraduate Coordinator for further details.
Click on your School (below) for specific policies and procedures regarding the Research Proposal process:
School of Education
School of Humanities
School of Law
School of Theology
Advice regarding Supervision
The University requires that each student have two supervisors, a principal and a co-supervisor, refer clause 7.1 of the Student Related Policies and Procedures Manual. Students may change their supervisors at any stage of the candidature and this should be discussed with the Postgraduate Coordinator or the Research Higher Degrees Officer.
Word Limits
Higher degree students are advised to consult their supervisors about the appropriate length of theses subject to the following guidelines:
In the Faculty of Education, Humanities, Law and Theology, a thesis for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy should be a minimum of 70,000 words and a maximum of 100,000 words and for Masters a minimum of 35,000 words and a maximum of 50,000. This excludes footnotes, bibliography, tables and appendices, but students should not make use of extensive footnotes or very large appendices in order to bypass the word limit. When students submit their thesis they will be asked to indicate how long the thesis is, and where it exceeds the normal word limit they will be asked to provide a detailed explanation of the reasons for its length.
Information on the preparation of the thesis can be obtained from Appendix E.
Examination
Approximately 3 months prior to submission of the thesis, the student must discuss potential examiners with the supervisor(s). Names of examiners must be submitted on the Nomination of Examiners form to the EHLT Faculty Office, so that they can be invited to examine the thesis prior to the submission. This reduces the time to wait between submission and notification of examination results. Three copies of the thesis are required by the Faculty Office, one for each of the examiners and one spare. When the Faculty has received both exam reports, the student is notified in writing.
The Faculty recommends the following binders for theses:
- Coil Binding Flinders Press, Flinders University, car park 9 - 8201 2332
- Soft or Hard Cover Harley & Sons Bookbinders, 28 Dew St, Thebarton - 8443 7515
- Hard Cover Frank Malovany, 5 Renown Ave, Seacliff Park - 8298 4108
Research Higher Degrees with a Creative Component
Research Higher Degrees in EHLT can include a Creative Component which must be negotiated at the time of admission and approved by the Research and Research Higher Degrees Committee. The majority of these research higher degrees occur in the Department of English. For information about undertaking a research higher degree in the Department of English - click here. For additional information contact the Research Higher Degrees Officer.
The University has various policies and procedures to deal with student grievances and problems. There is a network of contact officers who will provide advice and assistance in the resolution of complaints. The Higher Degree Contact Officers are:
Contact Officers
Professor Mike Lawson, Education (8201 2829)
mike.lawson@flinders.edu.au
Dr Heather McRae, Law (8201 3989)
heather.mcrae@flinders.edu.au
Ms Lyn Leader-Elliott, Humanities (Cultural Tourism) (8201 3039)
lyn.leader-elliott@flinders.edu.au
Dr Robyn Najar, Humanities (English) (8201 3086)
robyn.najar@flinders.edu.au
The Research Training Scheme provides Commonwealth-funded research higher degree students who commence their degree from 1 January 2001, with a Research HECS Exemption for up to four years full-time equivalent study for a Doctorate by research and up to two years full-time equivalent for a Masters by research.
Supervisors and candidates are asked to review the documents prepared by the Higher Degree Administration and Scholarships Office entitled "Important Information about the Research Training Scheme" and "Important Information about the Research Training Scheme and Research HECS Exemptions".
If students have a scholarship, this is a separate component of the Research Higher Degree candidature. The Scholarships office manages scholarships. The office is located in the Registry Annexe (opposite the Student Centre), Telephone: 8201 3115, Fax: 8201 2580, Email: scholarships@flinders.edu.au
University's Travel Insurance
The University's travel insurance is available to staff and students going overseas for reasons primarily associated with their research and studies. It is important to note the University is not the insurer and staff and students need to satisfy themselves that the cover is appropriate to their own needs and circumstances. Full details of the insurance policy and limits of cover are available at http://www.flinders.edu.au/finance/html/insurance/index.html
If staff and students have any queries or wish to register for cover they may telephone the University's Insurance Officer, Mike Stevens, on (820) 12618 or send an email to mike.stevens@flinders.edu.au
General Enquiries: Faculty Research Coordinator (Research Higher Degrees), Ms Karen Jacobs 8201 3590, room 233 Social Sciences South, Karen.Jacobs@flinders.edu.au.
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