University of Tasmania, Australia

Work or study commitments for HDR Candidates: Implications for extension to candidature and/or scholarship

A pdf version is available here.

A large number of Higher Degree Research (HDR) candidates request extensions to their candidature and/or scholarship on the basis that work and/or coursework commitments have prevented timely progress of their research.  In most cases it is apparent that candidates, supervisors and other signatories to such requests are unaware of the rules governing work or coursework for their HDR.  To clarify the situation attention is drawn to the following points.

1. Under the Higher Education Support Act 2003 - Commonwealth Scholarships Guidelines (05/09/2005), Section 3.25.25, Work it is stipulated that Students may undertake work outside the HDR subject to the approval of their provider.  The providoer may not approve a student undertaking work unless it is satisfied that the work will not interfere with the student's study for their HDR.

It follows that a research higher degree is a demanding undertaking requiring performance to the full extent of the candidate's ability.  It is generally expected, and accepted across the Sector, that a PhD or Masters by research are full-time commitments, unless enrolment is part-time.  Accordingly, our conditions stipulate that no more than 8 hours per week (equivalent to ~20% of a full-time load) can be worked part-time for a full-time candidate.

2. Likewise, DEEWR (Dec 2007) - Grants made under part 2-3 of the Higher Education Support Act 2003 to support the Research Training Scheme (RTS) specify that up to to one third of the course for a HDR may be completed by coursework. 

Current procedures allow candidates to undertake additional coursework that is either directly related to the area of research or more generic. Implicit in accepting coursework as part of a HDR is the expectation that the research component wil be adjusted to reflect the level and time commitment required for the coursework to ensure completion within the maximum permitted candidature time (ie Masters = 2 years EFT, PhD = 4 years EFT).

Expectations

• The prime focus for a full-time HDR candidate is their research.
• It is recognised that HDR candidates may undertake, with approval,
  (i) limited work outside of a full-time candidature that does not interfere with their research nor exceed approximately 20% of full-time load,
  (ii) coursework that does not exceed the equivalent of 30% full-time equivalent load across the duration of candidature and
• The undertaking of work and/or coursework should be accommodated in the research plan, agreed with the supervisory team, and justification provided that these commitments will not interfere with the proposed research.
• Part-time candidates should not expect to have additional hours for work within their part-time commitment to the HDR

In Conclusion

• While there is some flexibility in our Conditions to allow these requirements to be increased it is unreasonable for a candidate to expect, or request, increased work or extraneous coursework unless it can be demonstrated that such an increase will not interfere with their study.
• Approved work and/or commitments cannot, therefore, be used as a justification in requesting extensions to candidature and/or scholarship.

Professor Peter Frappell, Dean of Graduate Research

4 May 2009