Chapter 2: Admission to doctoral candidature

2.8 Admission and commencement

2.8.1 Initial enrolment

Offers of doctoral candidature are made by the Monash University Institute of Graduate Research (MIGR) Office on behalf of the Graduate Research Committee (GRC). Intending internal candidates are required to come to the MIGR Office on Clayton campus to complete the enrolment procedures. Intending internal candidates who are not able to report to Clayton campus to enrol should contact the MIGR Office to make alternative arrangements (see Chapter 11 for contact details). Enrolment information will be forwarded to external applicants (those who will pursue their research at institutions or locations outside their approved campus of enrolment), who will be enrolled off-campus.

Note: Candidates will be responsible for booking into any  skills training components outlined in their Graduate Research Individual Skills Training Plan through their faculties.

Following enrolment, candidates will be issued with a student identity card, which will include their student number and brief details of enrolment. The student card is required for use in the library and for other University services, including 24-hour access to the Graduate Research Centre.
Prospective candidates are expected to enrol at a time prior to the proposed commencement of candidature. The following enrolment procedures apply:

  • PhD and MD (with supervision) candidates enrol at the MIGR Office, following consultation with their supervisor
  • DPH and DPsych candidates enrol at the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences research office
  • SJD candidates enrol at the Faculty of Law research office.

Note that a separate registration process applies to MD (without supervision) candidates and higher doctorate candidates.

2.8.2 Deferring commencement

Any application for a deferment of the offer of candidature must be submitted in writing to the MIGR Office. Deferment, if approved, will be for a maximum of one year only.

Offers of candidature lapse six months after the date of the initial offer of candidature if the prospective candidate does not enrol and/or has not sought and been granted a deferment.

2.8.3 Commencement date of candidature

The starting date for candidature will be as follows:

  • for applicants transferring candidature from a research master’s to PhD: the date of commencement of master’s candidature; or
  • for international students applying from overseas: the date of enrolment; or
  • for Australian citizens and permanent residents: the date recommended by the head of department or academic unit, subject to faculty and GRC approval (in special circumstances, this may be up to one month earlier than the date on which the committee reviewed and approved the application); or
  • for applicants transferring candidature from another institution: a new commencement date of research at Monash University, but the total period of candidature available will be negotiated.

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