Read UNSW’s new Higher Degree Research Policy

UNSW’s Higher Degree Research Policy improves how the University delivers outstanding research training experiences.

Following endorsement by the Academic Board and approval from the Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Attila Brungs, the Higher Degree Research (HDR) Policy was published on Monday 3 August. 

The policy upholds UNSW’s commitment to providing HDR programs that foster research excellence, deliver a positive candidate experience and prepare candidates to become research leaders. It consolidates and simplifies requirements across the HDR process into one policy, supported by detailed instructions.

The policy was overseen by the Pro Vice-Chancellor Research Training and Dean of Graduate Research, Professor Jonathan Morris, and was developed in close consultation with the University Higher Degree Committee (UHDRC) and the broader UNSW community to ensure it reflects the needs of both candidates and supervisors. 

The policy will be implemented over the next 12 months and there will be a post-implementation review to assess whether the policy has hit the mark and adjustments will be made accordingly. 

Policy Transformation Program

The Higher Degree Research Policy was developed through the University’s Policy Transformation Program (PTP). Using PTP’s policy transformation methodology, UNSW developed the new policy to consolidate and replace the:

• Admissions Policy (HDR provisions)
• Admission to HDR Programs Procedure
• Conditions for Award of Doctor of Philosophy Policy
• Conditions for Award of Master of Philosophy Policy
• Conditions for Award of Master by Research Policy
• Conditions for Award of Professional Doctorates Policy
• Facilities and Resources to Support HDR Candidates Guidelines
• HDR Scholarships Policy
• HDR Scholarships Procedure
• HDR Supervision Policy
• HDR Supervision Procedure
• HDR Examination Procedure
• Research Progress Review and Confirmation of Research Candidatures Procedure
• Roles and Responsibilities of Postgraduate Research Coordinators Guideline
• Show Cause for Research Candidates Guideline
• Variation of Candidature Procedure
• Student Code and Student Misconduct Procedure. 

If you have questions on how to apply the new policy to programs and courses, please email the Graduate Research School (grs@unsw.edu.au).