2.1(1) This Part applies to academic programs for research degrees and to candidates pursuing those programs.
Division 2.2: Admission
2.2 Admission to academic program
2.2(1) A person wishing to pursue an academic program must apply in an approved form to the Director SAS to be admitted as a candidate and must give the Director SAS any other information required by the Director.
2.2(2) The minimum requirement for admission to an academic program leading to a research degree is:
(a) a degree of bachelor with first class honours or upper second class honours of an Australian university; or
(b) such other qualification (being a qualification that is equivalent or superior to such a degree) as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education), on the advice of the prescribed authority, determines.
2.3 Admission: conditions
2.3(1) In appropriate circumstances, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) or prescribed authority may require a candidate to have relevant professional experience or admit a person to candidature conditionally.
2.3(2) Except with the permission of the prescribed authority, on the recommendation of the head of the relevant academic section, a candidate must not pursue an academic program leading to another award at the same time as pursuing a program for a graduate or undergraduate award (whether of a kind mentioned in the Schedule or not, and however described) in the University or in another tertiary education institution.
2.3(3) An applicant for admission to an academic program must satisfy any English language requirements determined by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) for the program.
2.4 Admission
2.4(1) The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) may admit a person to an academic program, or to part of an academic program, under this Division:
(a) if the person satisfies the minimum requirement for the admission set out in paragraph 2.2(2)(b); or
(b) if the person does not satisfy the prescribed minimum requirement for admission to that program (and may impose conditions in relation to that admission as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) thinks fit).
2.4(2) A prescribed authority may admit a person to an academic program, or to part of an academic program, under this Division if the person satisfies the minimum requirement for the admission set out in paragraph 2.2(2)(a).
2.4(3) In exercising his or her power under subrule 2.4(1) or 2.4(2), and without limiting that power, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) or the prescribed authority may:
(a) admit as a part-time candidate for an academic program for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy a person who satisfies the prescribed minimum requirement for admission;
(b) on the recommendation of the head of the relevant academic section, admit as a full-time or part-time candidate for an academic program a person who was, immediately before applying for admission, pursuing another graduate or undergraduate award program in the University or in another tertiary education institution and who intends to continue pursuing that other program, and may impose such conditions on the person’s admission as the prescribed authority thinks fit.
[NOTE: if a candidate is admitted to an academic program under paragraph 2.4(3)(b), he or she may be granted status under Division 2.3 for work performed before that admission for another academic program referred to in that paragraph.]
2.5 Enrolment
2.5(1) Before a person is enrolled in an academic program, the prescribed authority must determine for the person:
(a) the nature of the academic program to be pursued, including the topic or topics of any thesis and the content of any coursework; and
(b) the academic section or sections in which the academic program is to be pursued; and
(c) the names of the person’s supervisors or advisers, appointed under Division 2.7; and
(d) the nature of any examination (within the meaning of Division 2.10) which the person is required to undertake.
2.5(2) The number of courses that a candidate may take in a semester, year or other teaching period may be determined by the prescribed authority responsible for the candidate’s program.
2.5(3) The prescribed authority must notify the candidate concerned and report a determination and any variation of a determination made under this rule to the Director SAS within a reasonable time after making it.
2.6 Self-enrolment
2.6(1) If, in relation to an academic program, self-enrolment is permitted or required, a candidate for the program may choose the courses of his or her academic program, and amend that choice, in accordance with the enrolment procedures set out in the Orders.
2.6(2) The Orders may indicate that the approval of a prescribed authority or the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) must be obtained for the choice of courses or the number of courses that may be undertaken in a particular program.
Division 2.3: Status
2.7 Status
2.7(1) The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) may determine the limits within which status for relevant work performed at the University or elsewhere may be granted in relation to a particular award or course.
2.7(2) Within those limits, the prescribed authority may determine, in relation to a particular candidate, conditions on which status may be granted to the candidate.
2.7(3) If a candidate for a research degree:
(a) is required to undertake coursework for the program leading to that award; and
(b) successfully undertakes the coursework but fails the thesis required to obtain the award;
the relevant prescribed authority may approve status for the coursework for another relevant award program.
2.7(4) In appropriate circumstances, the prescribed authority may grant status conditionally.
2.7(5) If status is granted to a candidate, it must be expressed in units.
Division 2.4: Commencement of academic program
2.8 Commencement of academic program
2.8(1) The date on which the candidate’s academic program is to be regarded as having commenced is the date of the candidate’s enrolment in the program.
Division 2.5: Transfer between academic programs
2.9 Transfer: general
2.9(1) A candidate seeking to transfer between academic programs must apply in writing to the prescribed authority to do so.
2.9(2) The prescribed authority may permit an applicant under subrule 2.9(1) to transfer between academic programs.
2.10 Transfer: from professional doctorate to degree of Master etc
2.10(1) A candidate for a professional doctorate by research may request transfer to an academic program for the relevant Degree of Master, or other award, by coursework or coursework and research with status for all work completed if the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) has not determined that the candidate has failed the professional doctorate program.
2.10(2) In this rule, a reference to a candidate failing a professional doctorate program includes a reference to the prescribed authority recommending that the candidate not be granted the award.
2.11 Transfer: from degree of Master by research to professional doctorate
2.11(1) The prescribed authority on the advice of the head of the relevant academic section, may admit as a candidate for a professional doctorate a person who, immediately before that admission, was a candidate for a degree of Master by research.
2.12 Transfer: from degree of Doctor of Philosophy to degree of Master of Philosophy
2.12(1) If:
(a) a candidate for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy submits a thesis for examination in accordance with Division 2.10; and
(b) the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) requires the candidate to be re-examined by resubmission of thesis or decides that the candidate not be awarded the degree of Doctor of Philosophy;
the candidate may, within the period of 12 months beginning on the day on which the requirement or decision was made, apply to be admitted as a candidate for the degree of Master of Philosophy.
2.12(2) However, if:
(a) a candidate referred to in subrule 2.12(1) appeals against a requirement or decision referred to in paragraph 2.12(1)(b); and
(b) the Appeal Committee appointed under Part 4 to hear and determine the appeal makes a decision under that Part dismissing the appeal and affirming the requirement or decision;
the candidate may apply under subrule 2.12(1) within the period of 12 months beginning on the day on which that decision was made.
2.13 Transfer: from degree of Master of Philosophy to degree of Doctor of Philosophy
2.13(1) The prescribed authority on the advice of the head of the relevant academic section, may admit as a candidate for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy a person who, immediately before that admission, was a candidate for the degree of Master of Philosophy.
2.14 Transfer: from degree of Master etc to Graduate Diploma or Certificate
2.14(1) The prescribed authority may, subject to such requirements and on such terms and conditions as the prescribed authority determines, admit as a candidate for a graduate diploma or certificate a person who wishes to transfer candidature from an academic program for a degree of Master or another graduate degree or diploma offered by the University.
2.15 Transfer: from full-time candidature to part-time candidature etc.
2.15(1) The prescribed authority may permit a full-time candidate to pursue his or her academic program as a part-time candidate or a part-time candidate to pursue his or her academic program as a full-time candidate.
Division 2.6: Limitations on Admission
2.16 Limit on obligation
2.16(1) If a person seeking acceptance into an academic program, or part of an academic program, satisfies or exceeds the minimum requirement for admission to the program, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) or prescribed authority is not obliged to admit the person to the program, or the part of the program, only because the person has satisfied the prescribed minimum requirement for admission.
2.17 Limit on number of places
2.17(1) The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) may decide how many places are available in any enrolment period for new candidates for an academic program leading to a research degree.
2.18 Restriction on other study
2.18(1) A person must not, at any time after admission, begin to pursue another award program in the University or in another tertiary education institution without the written permission of the prescribed authority given following a recommendation by the head of the relevant academic section.
2.18(2) A person who indicates in an application for admission that the person does not intend to continue pursuing another award program in the University or in another tertiary education institution must not, at any time after admission, continue to pursue that other award program without the written permission of the prescribed authority given following a recommendation by the head of the relevant academic section.
Division 2.7: Supervision
2.19 Supervisors: appointment
2.19(1) For a candidate for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, the prescribed authority or the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) must, before the admission of the candidate to the program, appoint a supervisor who is to chair the candidate’s supervisory panel for that program.
2.19(2) For a candidate for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, a panel of not less than 3 supervisors or advisers must be appointed under subrule 2.19(1) and rule 2.21 by the prescribed authority or the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education).
2.19(3) For a candidate for a professional doctorate by research, for the degree of Master of Philosophy or for another degree of Master by research, the prescribed authority or the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) must, before the admission of the candidate to the program, appoint one or more supervisors for the candidate for that program.
2.19(4) If a sole supervisor is, or is to be, absent from the University or is unable to perform the duties of a supervisor, for more than 4 consecutive weeks, the prescribed authority or the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) must appoint a person to act as the supervisor for the period of the absence.
2.20 Supervisors and supervision
2.20(1) At least 1 supervisor for a candidate must be a member of the academic staff of the University employed by the University full-time, or part-time on at least a 50% basis.
2.20(2) If practicable, the Chair of the supervisory panel for a higher degree research student is to be a member of the academic staff of the University employed by the University full time, or part-time on at least a 50% basis.
2.20(3) However, with the approval of the prescribed authority, a part-time member of the academic staff of the University who is employed in that capacity on less than a 50% basis may be appointed as the Chair of a supervisory panel.
2.20(4) Also, a person holding full or adjunct academic status, an Emeritus Professor or Emeritus Fellow of the University, or a person with recognised honorary academic status within the University, may, with the approval of the prescribed authority, be appointed as a supervisor, or as the Chair of a supervisory panel, for a higher degree research student.
2.20(5) The appointment of a supervisor or the Chair of a supervisory panel other than a person referred to in subrules 2.20(2), 2.20(3) or 2.20(4) must be approved by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education).
2.20(6) If a person referred to in subrule 2.20(4) or 2.20(5) is appointed as a supervisor or the Chair of a supervisory panel, it is a condition of the appointment that the appointee carry out the same functions and undertake the same responsibilities as a staff member appointed to supervise a student, or as the Chair of a supervisory panel, as the case requires.
[NOTE: It is intended that 1 supervisor act as a candidate’s supervisor for the duration of the candidate’s program.]
2.20(7) Subject to the direction of the prescribed authority, a supervisor must supervise the candidate's academic program and the candidate's observance of these Rules and, as far as possible, enable the candidate to obtain appropriate advice on any matter relevant to the program.
2.20(8) A supervisor who considers that a candidate has failed to pursue the candidate's academic program satisfactorily, or has not observed these Rules, must report accordingly to the prescribed authority.
2.21 Advisers
2.21(1) Unless the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) approves otherwise, the prescribed authority must, in relation to a candidate for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy:
(a) for whom 1 supervisor is appointed under this Division—appoint not less than 2 advisers; and
(b) for whom 2 supervisors are appointed under this Division — appoint not less than 1 adviser.
2.21(2) However, if 3 or more supervisors are appointed in relation to any candidate, the prescribed authority may appoint 1 or more advisers in relation to the candidate.
2.21(3) The function of an adviser is to advise the candidate, at the request of the candidate, on any matter relating to the candidate's academic program.
2.21(4) The prescribed authority may direct advisers in relation to their duties.
Division 2.8: General Provisions Applying to Awards
2.22 Duration of standard program
2.22(1) An academic program may be pursued full-time or part-time.
2.22(2) The standard enrolment for a full-time student is 48 weeks per calendar year of the program, or 48 units.
2.22(3) The standard enrolment for a part-time student is 48 weeks per calendar year of the program, or 24 units.
2.22(4) The duration of a research program is measured in units, each unit representing:
(a) in the case of a full-time candidate – 1 week’s research effort; or
(b) in the case of a part-time candidate – 2 weeks’ research effort.
2.23 Attendance at the University
2.23(1) An academic program must be pursued at the University or at another place approved by the prescribed authority on the recommendation of the head of the relevant academic section.
2.23(2) The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) may make Orders setting out the maximum period or the number or value of courses for which a particular academic program may be pursued outside the University.
2.23(3) However, approval is not to be given for the completion of all or part of an academic program outside the University unless the prescribed authority on the recommendation of the head of the relevant academic section is satisfied that:
(a) the courses are substantially comparable in quality with equivalent courses offered by the University for the academic program; or
(b) the institution concerned has satisfactory research facilities for the purposes of the academic program;
as the case requires.
2.24 English language requirements
2.24(1) An academic program is to be conducted in the English language unless the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) determines otherwise.
2.25 Pursuit of academic program
2.25(1) A candidate must pursue the program to the satisfaction of the prescribed authority.
2.25(2) The pursuit of an academic program by a candidate includes the right to use the facilities of the University if such use is reasonable having regard to the nature of the program.
2.26 Expiration of academic program
2.26(1) An academic program expires when it has been pursued for its maximum duration under these Rules.
2.26(2) If, before an academic program otherwise expires:
(a) a candidate withdraws from the program; or
(b) the candidate’s candidature is terminated; or
(c) the candidate has completed the coursework requirements (if any) and has submitted his or her thesis for the relevant award;
the program is taken to have expired on the date of that withdrawal, termination, completion or submission as the case requires.
2.27 Program leave of absence
2.27(1) The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) may, on the recommendation of the prescribed authority, grant a candidate program leave of absence from the candidate's academic program for a research degree for such period as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) thinks fit.
2.27(2) However, no period of program leave of absence may be less than 1 week for a full-time candidate or 2 weeks for a part-time candidate.
2.28 Withdrawal from academic program
2.28(1) A candidate may, at any time before the candidate's academic program expires, withdraw from the program by notice in writing delivered to the Director SAS.
2.29 Termination of academic program
2.29(1) The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) may, on the recommendation of the prescribed authority, terminate a candidature for an academic program on the ground that the candidate has failed to pursue the academic program to the satisfaction of the prescribed authority, or that the candidate has otherwise failed to comply with these Rules or a condition imposed by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) or prescribed authority on the person’s admission to candidature.
2.29(2) Before exercising the power referred to in subrule 2.29(1), the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) must give the candidate an opportunity to make representations, orally or in writing, and must take such representations into account before reaching a decision on the matter.
[NOTE: See rule 2.64 about notification of decisions and Part 4 for rights and procedures relating to review of decisions.]
2.30 Other employment
2.30(1) A candidate pursuing a full-time academic program must not engage in any paid employment during the program without the approval of the prescribed authority.
[NOTE: A candidate is expected to become familiar with relevant University policies, as set out in the Postgraduate Research Guide and Policy Papers, Codes and selected University Rules for Graduate Students and Staff. These documents are available on the internet at http://www.anu.edu.au/graduate and by links from http://www.anu.edu.au ]