HDR Application, Admission and Enrolment Procedure

Intent

This Procedure describes the application, admission and enrolment considerations for Higher Degree by Research (HDR) applicants and candidates at James Cook University (JCU; the University), including candidature duration and variations of enrolment.

This Procedure addresses Higher Education Standards Framework (HESF) Standards 1.1: Admission, 1.2: Credit and Recognition of Prior Learning, and 4.2: Research Education.

Scope

This Procedure applies to applicants and candidates of HDR courses offered by the University regardless of location, and to relevant University staff involved in application, admission and enrolment processes for HDR applicants and candidates.

Definitions

Terms mentioned in this document and not defined here are defined in the Higher Degree by Research (HDR) Policy and the Policy Glossary.

Procedure

1. Application

1.1 A prospective applicant wishing to gain entry to and enrolment in a HDR at JCU must follow the process outlined at the Graduate Research School (GRS) ‘How to Apply’ web page.

1.2 Applications must be made through the University’s online application system, eStudent. Applications will only be considered once all required documentation has been received.

1.3 Applications must nominate a compliant advisory panel as described in the HDR Advisory Procedure.

1.4 The Dean, Graduate Research and Researcher Development (Dean, GRRD) will determine the eligibility for admission of an application upon endorsement from the College Dean (or nominee).

2. Eligibility Criteria

2.1 To be eligible to apply for entry to a doctoral program, an applicant must demonstrate their capacity to undertake research at the doctoral level by meeting at least one of the following entry requirements:

a)  a bachelor’s degree with Second Class, Division A (Honours) or above in a degree program that included a total of 12 credit points of supervised project work, the results of which contributed to the Honours grade;

b)  a postgraduate qualification (e.g., masters by coursework or graduate certificate/diploma of research methods) which includes a supervised research component of at least 12 credit points (FTE) graded at the equivalent of distinction or above;

c)  Master of philosophy degree or equivalent, where at least two-thirds of the degree consisted of a supervised research component and resulted in the production of a thesis or equivalent method of communicating research outcomes;

d)  a combination of tertiary qualifications, research training and relevant research experience, considered equivalent to the above by the Dean of the College to which the applicant is applying. Research experience can be demonstrated by some or all the following:

• Scholarly papers involving a substantial contribution by the applicant as an author, appearing in recognised academic journals or in volumes published by recognised academic publishers.
• Research or technical reports prepared for industry, government or business which adhere to the broad conventions of academic publishing (i.e., contain an up-to-date review of relevant literature, a description of relevant research methods and an evaluation of results, etc.) and which identify the applicant as a significant contributor.
• A portfolio of published creative work together with published critical discussion of some or all of the work, or of a comparable body of work by others, and which demonstrates the applicant’s development of scholarly approach to creative work as a research investigation.
• Demonstrable industry or work experience where the applicant can demonstrate a planned and executed project working with a high level of independence.

e)  applicants for a doctor of education may demonstrate any of the above or:

• A masters degree by coursework in a field relevant to the doctorate, with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 5.0; and
• Three years full-time equivalent of relevant professional practice.

2.2 To be eligible to apply for entry to a research masters degree, an applicant must demonstrate their capacity to undertake research at the Research Masters level by;

• The attainment of a bachelor’s degree with either a GPA of at least 5.5 in the final full-time year of study, or with demonstrated research experience;
• A postgraduate degree of at least one year full-time equivalent with a GPA of at least 5.0;
• A bachelor’s degree plus at least 2 years relevant experience; or
• Other qualifications and/or experience to satisfy the College Dean that the candidate is suitably qualified for entry will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

2.3 Applicants who speak English as an Additional Language (EAL) must meet the University’s English Language Proficiency requirement of Band 2 as described in the Admissions Policy – Schedule II.

2.4 Applicants who are citizens of countries with a United Nations Sanction and/or Australian Autonomous Sanction (UNAS) regime in place, will be subject to the compliance requirements of the HDR United Nations and Autonomous Sanctions Compliance Procedure.

3. Admission

3.1 If an applicant is successful in their application for admission to a HDR and has met all requirements, the GRS will prepare an Offer for Admission for the degree program, which will be sent to the email address specified in the application.

3.2 Applicants must formally accept the Offer for Admission prior to the expiry date of the offer. An applicant who wishes to change their Offer for Admission, including deferrals, must contact the GRS in writing prior to the expiry date of the Offer for Admission to specify the change being sought. Requests for changes are subject to, but not limited to, the capacity of the Advisory Panel and College to support the requested change. Expired Offers for Admission are no longer valid

3.3 International applicants must satisfy tuition fee requirements before a Confirmation of Enrolment will be issued.

3.4 If the applicant has provided false or misleading information to the University, the University at its absolute discretion may cancel the application and Offer of Admission.

4. Enrolment

4.1 In order to be enrolled in an HDR, an applicant must have:

a) formally accepted a current degree offer,

b) met all pre-enrolment conditions of the offer, and

c) met all relevant Visa requirements.

4.2 A HDR candidate will be enrolled at a rate of either full-time (1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load (EFTSL) per year) or part-time (0.5 EFTSL per year).

4.3 All HDR enrolments, including modifications and subject enrolments, must be undertaken by the GRS. HDR candidates cannot self-manage their enrolment or course details through eStudent.

4.4 HDR candidature formally begins on the date of enrolment, and any associated fees accrue from that date.

4.5 All HDR candidates are required to attend the first available Induction Session following their enrolment.

4.6 Upon enrolment, the HDR candidate agrees to comply with the policies, procedures and requirements their degree, which may be altered from time to time.

4.7 If the HDR candidate has provided false or misleading information to the University, the University at its absolute discretion may withdraw the HDR candidate.

5. Scholarships

5.1 HDR candidates wishing to be considered for a scholarship should follow the instructions on the GRS 'How to Apply' webpage.

5.2 HDR scholarship applicants will be considered for all scholarships for which they are eligible. Descriptions of the available scholarships can be found on the GRS HDR Scholarships webpage.

5.3 HDR scholarship applications will be assessed and ranked by a Scholarship Selection Panel appointed by the Dean, GRRD, using the HDR Scholarship Applicant Assessment Framework.

5.4 The Dean, GRRD, in consultation with the Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC) Research, may direct scholarships toward JCU-aligned research missions or strategies.

5.5 Scholarship applicants who are eligible for an Indigenous Research Training Program Scholarships (RTPSI) must also be endorsed by the DVC Indigenous Education and Strategy prior to the scholarship being offered.

6. Transferring enrolment from another Higher Education Provider in Australia

6.1 HDR candidates already enrolled at another Higher Education Provider (HEP) who wish to transfer enrolment to JCU must submit an application as described in section 1 of this Procedure.

6.2 In addition, an official statement from the applicant’s HEP confirming EFTSL consumed to date, milestones achieved, and any subjects undertaken must be provided.

6.3 If their application is successful the EFTSL consumed at the previous institution will be deducted from the applicant’s EFTSL remaining to complete their degree at JCU.

6.4 HDR candidates admitted so must satisfy all course requirements relating to JCU Higher Degrees by Research and may apply for recognition of prior learning for components of the JCU HDR course.

Related policy instruments

Higher Degree by Research Policy

HDR Advisory Procedure

Admissions Policy – Schedule II

‘How to Apply’ web page

HDR Scholarships webpage

HDR Scholarship Applicant Assessment Framework

Schedules/Appendices

Nil

Administration

NOTE: Printed copies of this procedure are uncontrolled, and currency can only be assured at the time of printing.

Approval Details

Revision History