D/5.1 Management of higher degree research courses

Policy Owner	Director, Graduate Research Centre
Approval Date	16/11/2020
Approval Authority	University Academic Board
Date of Next Review	30/11/2023

5.1.1 Purpose
5.1.2 Application
5.1.3 Roles and responsibilities
5.1.4 Research and research training
5.1.5 Location of higher degree research courses
5.1.6 Coordination of research training
5.1.7 Higher degree research supervision
5.1.8 Higher degree research infrastructure
5.1.9 Quality assurance and standards
5.1.10 Definitions
Related Documents
Modification History

5.1.1 Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to outline how higher degree research courses are provided at QUT to support and stimulate rigorous and significant research activities and internationally benchmarked outcomes.

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5.1.2 Application

QUT offers higher degree research (HDR) courses at Masters and Doctorate level. This policy applies to the management of HDR courses.

Broad descriptions of higher degree research courses in terms of entry standards, duration, and depth and breadth of study are provided in the Award courses policy (C/3.1) and the Award courses protocol (QUT staff access only).

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5.1.3 Roles and responsibilities

Position	Responsibility
University Research Committee (D/2.1)	recommends policy on higher degree research (HDR) studies to University Academic Board endorses higher degree research (HDR) course accreditation/re-accreditation proposals for submission to Curriculum Standards Committee as delegated by University Academic Board and in accordance with the Curriculum design, approval and accreditation policy (C/4.1) approves curriculum developments and discontinuations for centrally operated research awards
Research Degrees Committee (D/5.2)	develops and recommends to University Research Committee, to recommend to University Academic Board, policies and procedures relating to higher degree research supervision, training and research in the University recommends to University Research Committee course requirements for centrally operated higher degree research awards approves and regularly reviews the Higher Degree Research (HDR) Supervisor guidelines (QUT staff and student access only)
Faculty Associate Dean (Research) or nominee	ensures effective coordination of higher degree research courses and administration of research infrastructure to support candidates to complete research in a timely manner administers allocation of research supervision
Higher degree research coordinators (note position titles vary depending on the faculty)	ensure research quality and consistency, and provide reports to Research Degrees Committee in relation to research training matters as articulated in the Higher Degree Research (HDR) Supervisor guidelines (QUT staff and student access only)

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5.1.4 Research and research training

QUT recognises that research and research training are intimately connected and that these activities need to take place in an environment where the appropriate expertise and resources exist to ensure successful outcomes. Research, research training, supervision and reporting requirements of the University are intended to encourage a vigorous and dynamic interdisciplinary research culture.

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5.1.5 Location of higher degree research courses

Higher degree research candidates (HDR) normally are accepted for courses only where adequate resources are available to underpin studies and when appropriate supervision can be provided. The enrolling entity for higher degree research candidates is the university. The candidate’s research may be carried out in a faculty, centre, institute or distributed site approved by QUT or in approved external industry or research organisations within Australia and overseas.

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5.1.6 Coordination of research training

QUT acknowledges the responsibility of a range of stakeholders in the delivery of a quality higher degree research environment. These stakeholders include faculties, centres, institutes and schools, higher degree research supervisors and candidates.

All higher degree research courses are coordinated at the faculty level, and faculties are responsible for providing research infrastructure and allocating supervisors to research candidates. While centres and institutes do not enrol research candidates they can coordinate aspects of the administration of research courses in collaboration with faculties.

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5.1.7 Higher degree research supervision

Supervision of all higher degree research (HDR) candidates shall be conducted according to the Higher Degree Research (HDR) Supervisor guidelines (QUT staff and student access only) and other relevant policies (D/5.3 Higher degree research candidates).

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5.1.8 Higher degree research infrastructure

QUT is committed to ensuring that candidates have access to the appropriate resources for effective and timely completion of their research studies. To this end, faculties are responsible for ensuring that appropriate arrangements are set in place for candidates to undertake their research project. Infrastructure arrangements at QUT can include the use of campus facilities, accessing facilities offered by organisations associated with QUT on or off campus, or to study externally using the resources of an external organisation with support from an external supervisor.

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5.1.9 Quality assurance and standards

Faculty academic boards report to the University Academic Board on their higher degree research courses within the annual Course quality assurance process (C/4.6.3) which includes, if appropriate, a report on participating centre and institute programs and scholarships. Faculties also provide an annual report to Research Degrees Committee and University Academic Board on their research training programs for incorporation into a university wide report.

The university will make available a Higher Degree Research (HDR) Supervisor guidelines (QUT staff and student access only) which is consistent with best practice and policies of key Australian government agencies. These guidelines will identify stakeholder responsibilities.

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5.1.10 Definitions

Research courses are higher degree research courses offered at QUT (PhD, Professional Doctorate, Master of Philosophy and Masters by Research).

Research training programs are a range of training options offered by faculties and divisions, which are available to candidates enrolled in higher degree research courses. They are aimed at supporting research and skills development.

The Higher degree research candidates policy (D/5.3) provides further definitions including candidate, candidature, coursework, examination, faculty and thesis.

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Modification History

Date	Sections	Source	Details
16.11.20	All	University Academic Board	Periodic review - policy revised
30.08.17	D/5.1.3	Director, Governance and Legal Services	Editorial amendment to include "Faculty Academic Board" role for centrally operated research awards for University Research and Innovation Committee
21.07.17	All	University Academic Board	Revised and simplified policy
11.09.15	All	University Academic Board	Revised policy
01.03.06	All	Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Commercialisation)	Revised policy (endorsed by Research Degrees Committee 6.2.06 and University Research and Innovation Committee 01.03.06)
24.09.02	All	Director, Research and Research Training	Revised in accordance with new centres policy (approved by University Academic Board 16.11.01)
20.11.00	D/5.1	Director, Postgraduate Studies	Updated
12.03.99	D/5.1	Secretary, University Research Committee	Revised in accordance with restructure of QUT research activities (University Academic Board, 3.7.98)

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