Graduate Research School My Milestones Confirmation of Candidature Review

Confirmation of Candidature Review

Confirmation of Candidature (CoC) should occur between 6 and 12 months for full-time candidates (or 12 and 24 months for part-time candidates).

What is Confirmation of Candidature?

The Confirmation of Candidature is the milestone in your research journey that confirms that your project is feasible, your research plan is sound, and that you have, or can acquire, the skills and knowledge to successfully complete your research degree.

What is required?

You’ll need to complete:

  • a detailed Research Proposal
  • The proposal should include synthesis of relevant literature consistent with your discipline norms.
  • Professional Development Audit & Plan (PDAP) in SkillsJCU and have discussed this with your Primary Advisor

You'll also need to:

  • give a presentation to a panel of academic experts in person or via live feed, who will assess your work and ask you questions about your research.
  • plan to present for 20 to 30 minutes and then prepare to answer questions afterward (usually 10 to 20 minutes).
  • prepare slides to assist your presentation.

Step 1: Booking Your Seminar

This form is to be submitted 3 weeks for Confirmation of Candidature. Submit this seminar form with assistance from your advisors, ensuring you provide all required information. When the form has been submitted, the Graduate Research School will contact you to finalise your seminar booking.

Seminar Booking  form

Step 2: Submit your Confirmation of Candidature Evaluation Form

Once you book your seminar, you will need to submit your Confirmation of Candidature Evaluation Form via MyStudent Portal

Step 3: Review Checklist and Assessment criteria

Review how your Confirmation of Candidature will be assessed:
Confirmation of Candidature Checklist and Assessment Criteria Summary Sheet

CoC Outcome

The CoC process is designed to be supportive and constructive. You will get feedback on your proposal and presentation and suggestions on how to improve your research. After your proposal and seminar have been assessed, you'll receive a report that outlines the panel's feedback and any required revisions.

If everything goes well, you'll be confirmed as a candidate for your research degree, and you can continue on with your project with the confidence that you're on the right track.

If there are revisions required, you'll be able to make the changes and resubmit your report.

The Confirmation of Candidature is an important milestone, but it's also an opportunity to get valuable feedback on your research and to ensure that you're on track to achieve your goals.

Review and Refresh Your Candidate/Advisor Agreement

As you move through this milestone and on to the next stage of your candidature you should meet with your advisory team to revisit your Candidate/Advisor Agreement.

Prompts to frame your thinking and conversations with your advisors as you move ahead include:

  • Craft: Can you outline your planned research and next steps?
  • Pivot: Being ready, able and willing to modify elements of your research is a normal part of life as a researcher. Consider whether you need to modify any part of the plans for your research as you move into the next phase.
  • Plan: Think about your candidature lifecycle and look to the requirements of your next milestones (pre-completion). Plan your time and resources to ensure you are on track.

Tips for Success

  • If you are late with your Confirmation of Candidature, you are also likely to be overdue with finalising your thesis. If you start well, you are likely to finish well.
  • Familiarise yourself with the requirements for this milestone and the templates and assessment forms that are used so you understand how you will be assessed (HDR Milestone and Reporting Procedure)
  • Participate in the Graduate Research School’s Professional Development Program being mindful that you complete the compulsory fixed components.
  • Start preparing your proposal, substantive written work and seminar well in advance. Written work is likely to require multiple drafts before it reaches the standard expected of an HDR candidate.
  • Improve your proposal by incorporating comments from your Advisory Panel.
  • Practice your seminar several times, including at least once in the place in which you’ll be presenting it publicly – be that face-to-face or by live-feed.
  • Time your seminar and keep within the recommended timeframe of 25–35 minutes.
  • If you will be using a PowerPoint presentation, check that your slides are legible from the rear of the seminar room or on a computer screen.
  • Your seminar is a public presentation where you present this work to your Candidature Committee, your colleagues, fellow candidates and friends. Share the invite to fill the room with friendly faces and supportive colleagues.
  • Celebrate the wins! Take time to celebrate and reflect on your HDR journey so far.