This page contains all of the information that you need to get started at Victoria University (VU) as a higher degree research (HDR) candidate.

Follow through each of the steps on this page and you'll be off to a flying start!

Coursework timetable information

Please select your enrolled degree to view the semester 2, 2023 timetable.

All coursework units are delivered face to face at Footscray Park campus for semester 2, 2023.

Step 1: Access student tools & IT services

Start your orientation by setting up access to your IT services, VU email account and physical spaces.

All University correspondence is sent to your student email account.

All HDR candidates are expected to check this account regularly, or set-up a ‘forward’ from this address to your preferred private email account.

If you are new to VU, you will need to set up a temporary password to access your MyVU account:

  • Username: your student ID number, e.g. s1234567
  • Temporary password: the is 'Temp' followed by your date of birth in DDMMYYYY (day, month, year) format, e.g. Temp21071995.

After you have set up your email account, please create a unique strong password that is difficult to crack (difficult for somebody else to guess).

The MyVU portal provides access to your Victoria University student details including invoices and enrolment.

Through VU Collaborate you can:

  • view course content and materials
  • upload and conduct assessments online, such as assignment submissions and quizzes
  • communicate and collaborate with your peers, tutors and instructors
  • stay up to date with your progress
  • access a student induction space.

All enrolled HDR candidates are required to pay the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF), either as a separate fee or as part of their tuition fees.

Eligible students (Australian citizens or students who meet the long-term residency requirements) can apply for an SA-HELP loan by completing the Request for SA-HELP Assistance form from VUHQ.

Once you are officially enrolled, your principal supervisor is required to complete a fob access request (VU staff view only) on your behalf.

Once lodged and approved by the Facilities team, your institute will assign you access to a shared HDR office space that will allow you to use either a permanent desk or a ‘hot desk’ (subject to your institute’s discipline requirements and space allocation).

Your institute will aim to allocate shared HDR office space at the campus where your principal supervisor sits. If space is limited on that campus, you will be allocated space at the next nearest campus.

Student ID cards are available as a digital ID via the VU App.

To obtain your student ID card:

  1. submit a photo online – the photo should be a clear, passport-style photo in JPEG format
  2. wait to receive an email to let you know that the ID is ready (within 48 hours)
  3. access your digital ID under ‘My Digital ID Card’ via the Profile tab in the VU App.

Your digital student ID card can be used to verify your identity, for student discounts and much more!

Use your student ID card to access campus multi-function (print, copy and scan) devices.

For a free and environmentally friendly option, scan documents to email or USB without limit.

You can print or copy free-of-charge, up to the value of $500, on any University multi-function device. This amounts to 5,000 A4 black-and-white, or 1,000 A4 colour pages per year. This amount is not accumulative and is re-set each year of enrolment. You will need to print your document within 12 hours of sending it to a device. After this time, your document will be deleted from the system.

The library monitors your usage and will contact you when you have exhausted your complimentary printing limit. Excess usage of the annual allowance incurs the standard printing charges.

If you are employed by the University, it is recommended that you use your staff account (e-number) for related printing and copying.

Additional facilities such as self-binding are also available at the library for a nominal fee.

All researchers and research students are eligible for access to central storage space which is secure and backed up.

R: drive is free - complete the Research Data & Materials Plan (RDMP) Form to gain access.

Your storage can be shared with others (supervisors, teams, groups etc.) allowing you to collaborate on data and share documents and files.

View R: Drive Frequently Asked Questions.

What is VU IT Services? - Transcript

Step 2: Complete HDR research integrity modules

Before you commence your program, you must undertake two or three self-paced online modules. The modules must be completed before you present for Confirmation of Candidature. You can refer back to them throughout the course of your research degree.

If you have any queries regarding your access to the VU Collaborate space, please contact [email protected].

The HDR researcher integrity modules will give you an introduction to some of the protocols and expectations around the vital questions of integrity and ethical conduct within research work. You can discuss these further in the ROP8002 – Research Ethics and Integrity coursework unit.

The coursework units will provide you with the opportunity to build upon these modules, enabling you to gain insight into how you – as well as other HDR candidates – will undertake research in a professional, constructive and transparent manner.

The modules are on VU Collaborate, under the Support and Collaborate tab. You will have access when your enrolment has been processed (you will receive an email once access has been granted).

Each module takes approximately 30 minutes and you will need to gain at least 80% in the quiz to complete it. You may like to discuss some of the content with your supervisor, whom you should be making contact with during this initial phase.

View the guide to navigating VU Collaborate.

You will need to complete up to four modules before confirming your candidature.

All commencing HDR students must complete:

  • Module 1: The responsible conduct of research
  • Module 3: Planning your research
  • Module 4: Managing and recording your research
  • and either:
    • Module 10: Responsible conduct of human participants research (if applicable), or
    • Module 11: The care and use of animals in research (if applicable).

Step 3: Inductions & orientation

All research degrees at Victoria University have compulsory coursework units. Your coursework timetables and information will be emailed to you, once your enrolment has been confirmed.

Masters (Research) & PhD (Integrated) inductions

In addition to the HDR Orientation, all Masters (Research) and PhD integrated students must attend a program induction session. This Zoom session will be held in the week before coursework units commence (at the same time as one of the coursework units). The session will introduce the coursework units as well as provide useful information to help you start your research journey.

In S2 2023, compulsory induction dates are:

  • Masters (Research): Wednesday 26 July, 3-5pm
  • PhD Integrated: Monday 24 July, 3-5pm.

HDR orientation

All newly enrolling graduate researchers must attend a compulsory orientation event hosted by Graduate Research School.

The graduate researcher orientation is an opportunity for you to meet key research and support staff, find out essential information to start your research journey, and meet some of your fellow candidates. The program includes:

  • an overview of the VU approach to research degrees
  • developing an understanding of candidature milestones
  • the support services available to graduate researchers
  • an overview of the core coursework
  • getting the most out of your supervision team
  • researcher professional development at VU.

The next graduate researcher orientation will be held on Friday 25 August 2023 at 10am. This event is compulsory for new graduate researchers.

Register here

What is a research candidate?

If you are undertaking a research degree, you are referred to as a candidate, e.g. a doctoral candidate or a masters candidate.

The Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification (ANZSRC) is the collective name for a set of three related classifications developed for use in the measurement and analysis of research and experimental development (R&D) undertaken in Australia and New Zealand. There are three research classification codes in the ANZSRC:

  • type of activity (TOA)
  • fields of research (FoR)
  • socio-economic objective (SEO).

Step 4: Candidature milestones

Milestones are points during your degree when your progress is reviewed.

Your confirmation of candidature oral presentation is due after you complete the coursework units. You are a provisional candidate in the HDR program until your confirmation of candidature is approved.

Your presentation can take place on any date and time. To schedule your presentation, please liaise with your supervisor/s to choose a date and time. They will need to secure an Academic Review Panel (ARP) no later than four (4) weeks prior to your presentation date.

To schedule your presentation, please contact [email protected].

Presentations are held online via Zoom, but if you want to use campus meeting room facilities, your supervisor will need to book a suitable room.

View the guidelines, application forms and other required documents to prepare for your candidature presentation and read the principles for respectful supervisory relationships.

Masters by Research & Master of Applied Research

  • Confirmation of candidature – within 6 months (EFT) of initial enrolment (0.5 consumed load)
  • Towards submission review – within 18 months (EFT) of initial enrolment and after successful completion of confirmation of candidature (1.5 consumed load)
  • Maximum course duration – 24 months (2 years).

Master of Research

  • Confirmation of candidature – within 6 months (EFT) of initial enrolment (0.5 consumed load)
  • Towards submission review – within 15 months (1.25) years (EFT) of initial enrolment and after successful completion of confirmation of candidature
  • Maximum course duration – 18 months (1.5 years).

Master of Research Practice

  • Confirmation of candidature – within 6 months (EFT) of initial enrolment (0.5 consumed load)
  • Maximum course duration – 12 months (1 year).

Doctor of Philosophy

  • Confirmation of candidature – within 6-9 months (EFT) of initial enrolment and after successful completion of required coursework (0.5–0.9 consumed load)
  • Mid-candidature review – within 18-24 months (EFT) of initial enrolment and after successful completion of confirmation of candidature (1.5–2.0 consumed load)
  • Towards submission review – within 36 months (EFT) of initial enrolment and after successful completion of mid-candidature (3.0 consumed load)
  • Maximum course duration – 48 months (4 years).

Doctor of Philosophy (Integrated)

  • Confirmation of candidature – within 3 months (EFT) of towards confirmation workshop (1.25–1.5 consumed load)
  • Towards submission review – within 36 months (EFT) of initial enrolment and after successful completion of mid-candidature (3.0 consumed load)
  • Maximum course duration – 48 months (4 years).

Professional Doctorates

  • Confirmation of candidature – within 3-6 months (EFT) of completion of required coursework (1.25–1.5 consumed load)
  • Towards submission review – within 30 months (EFT) of initial enrolment and after successful completion of mid-candidature (2.5 consumed load)
  • Maximum course duration – 48 months (4 years).

Explanation of terms

  • EFT stands for enrolment full time, which you can calculate as the number of days you have been enrolled for, divided by 365.
  • EFTSL stands for equivalent full-time student load, and is the measure used to determine your study load.
  • Study mode/study load equals 1.0 is you are enrolled full time, or 0.5 if you are enrolled part time.
  • Consumed load is calculated based on the number of days you have been enrolled for and your study load.
  • Timely completion means that the submission of your thesis for examination is made either before, or by the maximum degree completion date.

Further resources

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