New HDR candidate information

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 research period 2, 2024 timetable.

All coursework units are delivered in-person at Footscray Park Campus for research period 2, 2024.

: Masters by research timetable (PDF, 149.13 KB)
Research masters information and timetable (PDF, 317.55 KB)
: PhD coursework units timetable (PDF, 313.97 KB)
: PhD (Integrated) timetable - Year 1 program (PDF, 193.94 KB)
PhD (Integrated) Year 1 program manual (PDF, 674.76 KB)

Step 1: Access student tools & IT services

Start your orientation by setting up access to your IT services, VU email account, Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and physical spaces.

: All University correspondence is sent to your student email account.
HDR candidates are expected to check their account regularly, or set-up a ‘forward’ to a preferred private email account.
If you are new to VU, you need to log in using a temporary password:
Username: Enter "s" (lowercase) followed by your <student ID number>@live.vu.edu.au. For example: [email protected] .
Temporary password: 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, create a unique strong password that is difficult to decrypt.
: All student accounts are required to have multi-factor authentication (MFA) to access IT platforms, including emails.

For more information, visit the IT Services Multi Factor Authentication webpage.

Login for Students:

Username: Enter "s" (lowercase) followed by your <student ID number>@live.vu.edu.au. For example: [email protected]

Password: MYVU Portal password (email password)

For further support, please contact the IT Service Desk on +61 3 9919 2777 or via service at Support Hub.
: 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:
submit a photo online – the photo should be a clear, passport-style photo in JPEG format
wait to receive an email to let you know that the ID is ready (within 48 hours)
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 (PDF, 347.75 KB) 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.

: In addition to the HDR Orientation, all Masters (Research) and PhD integrated students must attend a compulsory induction session. The session will introduce the coursework units as well as provide useful information to help you start your research journey.
Research period 2 inductions
Compulsory induction dates are:
Masters research and PhD Integrated shared Program Induction: Monday 22 July, 3–5pm
: All newly enrolling graduate researchers must attend a compulsory orientation hosted by Graduate Research School. The next graduate researcher orientation will be held on Friday 9 August 2024 at 10am.
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 students. 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.
Register for orientation
: Read our course overviews for more information about the research journey for your enrolled degree.
Master of Research (PDF, 243.11 KB)
Master of Applied Research (PDF, 245.08 KB)
Doctor of Philosophy (Integrated) (PDF, 245.22 KB)
Doctor of Philosophy (PDF, 247.75 KB)

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 successfully complete the coursework units. You are a provisionally enrolled in the HDR program until your confirmation of candidature is approved.

To schedule your presentation, please liaise with your supervisor/s to choose a date and time. Your principal supervisor is responsible to submit the composition of panel no later than four (4) weeks prior to your presentation date.

You are responsible to submit your application and documentation no later than two (2) weeks prior to the scheduled presentation.

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.

Leave of absence prior to confirmation of candidature will only be considered in exceptional and/or extenuating circumstances. Pre-candidature students may be advised to discontinue and reapply when they can return to studies - refer to HDR Procedure 2 Enrolments.

Principles for respectful supervisory relationships (PDF, 194.59 KB)

: 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).
: 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).

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New HDR candidate information

Coursework timetable information

Step 1: Access student tools & IT services

Step 2: Complete HDR research integrity modules

Step 3: Inductions & orientation

Research period 2 inductions

Step 4: Candidature milestones

Masters by Research & Master of Applied Research

Master of Research

Doctor of Philosophy

Doctor of Philosophy (Integrated)

Resources

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