Once you have obtained a place in a research degree, you must obtain candidature approval to become an 'official candidate' in your course. This occurs when you receive final approval for your research proposal. Until then you are in the pre-candidature phase and your enrolment is provisional.
Pre-candidature commences when you first enrol in the research component of your degree, and continues up to the point your application for candidature receives final approval by your College. You undertake initial research towards your thesis project and prepare for candidature during this phase.
Preparing for candidature in research degrees with coursework components (Professional Doctorate)
In order to progress into the research component of your degree, you need to have successfully completed all of your coursework, with an average greater than 70%.
Once you have done so, you can submit your Application for Admission to Professional Doctorate – Research Phase.
If your application is approved, your College will advise you that the pre-candidature phase has commenced. If the standard required to proceed to the research component of the degree is not achieved, you may apply to have completed units credited towards a Masters by Coursework in a relevant field. We will provide counselling and advice about your options.
When your pre-candidature has commenced, prepare to apply for full candidature.
Candidature presentations
2017 dates for College of Arts & Education
| Presentation date | GRC closing date |
|---|---|
| 10 February | 25 January |
| 10 March | 23 February |
| 7 April | 23 March |
| 12 May | 27 April |
| 9 June | 18 May |
| 14 July | 29 June |
| 11 August | 27 July |
| 8 September | 31 August |
| 13 October | 28 September |
| 10 November | 26 October |
| 1 December | 16 November |
2017 dates for College of Business
| Presentation date | GRC closing date |
|---|---|
| 9 February | 12 January |
| 23 February | 26 January |
| 30 March | 2 March |
| 27 April | 30 March |
| 25 May | 27 April |
| 29 June | 1 June |
| 27 July | 29 June |
| 31 August | 3 August |
| 28 September | 31 August |
| 26 October | 28 September |
| 30 November | 2 November |
| 14 December | 16 November |
2017 dates for College of Engineering & Science
| Presentation date | GRC closing date |
|---|---|
| 23 February | 9 February |
| 30 March | 16 March |
| 27 April | 13 April |
| 25 May | 11 May |
| 29 June | 15 June |
| 27 July | 13 July |
| 31 August | 17 August |
| 28 September | 14 September |
| 26 October | 12 October |
| 30 November | 16 November |
2017 dates for College of Health & Biomedicine
| Presentation date | GRC closing date |
|---|---|
| 28 February | 14 February |
| 28 March | 14 March |
| 26 April | 12 April |
| 30 May | 16 May |
| 27 June | 13 June |
| 25 July | 11 July |
| 29 August | 15 August |
| 26 September | 12 September |
| 31 October | 17 October |
| 28 November | 14 November |
2017 dates for College of Sport & Exercise Science
| Presentation date | GRC closing date |
|---|---|
| 24 February | 9 February |
| 24 March | 9 March |
| 28 April | 13 April |
| 26 May | 11 May |
| 23 June | 8 June |
| 28 July | 13 July |
| 25 August | 10 August |
| 22 September | 7 September |
| 27 October | 12 October |
| 24 November | 9 November |
| 15 December | 30 November |
Applying for candidature
Unless you have been admitted with advanced candidature you must apply for candidature in accordance with the timelines set out in the candidature application guidelines.
Step 1
Obtain the 
Candidate Confirmation Guidelines and commence preparation for your candidature as soon as practicable. Complete the Application for Confirmation of Candidature.
Step 2
Work with your supervisor to prepare for candidature in accordance with the University guidelines. Your application for candidature should contain a detailed research proposal that includes:
- thesis title
- abstract
- project aims
- statement of significance and contribution to knowledge
- literature review
- methodology and conceptual framework
- ethics approval
- occupational health & safety risks
- conclusion
- budget
- timeline
- reference list.
Step 3
Your College will use the following criteria to assess the suitability of your project in relation to the degree in which your are applying to become a candidate:
- academic merit, feasibility and viability of your project
- capacity of the College to ensure adequate supervision, resources and infrastructure are available to support the proposed project
- your capacity to successfully undertake the project within the time frame stipulated for the degree, taking into account the enrolment time fraction proposed
- other relevant criteria determined by your College.
Step 4
The relevant College committee may:
- reject your proposal
- endorse it outright
- endorse it subject to you making changes.
Step 5
The relevant College committee will grant candidature or declare the application unsuccessful. If you fail to achieve candidature you will have one opportunity to resubmit.
Extension of pre-candidature
Your pre-candidature may be extended for a defined period up to a maximum of 12 months (effective full-time) from the commencement of your pre-candidature phase. To obtain an extension you must have experienced unanticipated difficulties during the pre-candidature period as a result of one or more of the following:
- disruption to supervision
- change in focus and direction of the proposed project
- revision required in the review process leading up to presentation for candidature
- difficulties in scheduling of candidature confirmation deliberations and/or in convening a suitable confirmation panel
- documented personal illness or other serious personal difficulties
- other unforeseen disruptions beyond your control that have directly impacted on your capacity to prepare for candidature.
Complete an Application for Extension form.
If you need to extend your pre-candidature, please contact your College within 6 months (effective full-time) of the commencement of your pre-candidature.
Advanced candidature
If you have commenced candidature at another university and want to transfer to VU with advanced candidature you must:
- have been admitted for candidature at another university for the project proposed in your application to VU
- satisfy VU degree entry requirements
- be enrolled for a minimum of six months before submitting your thesis for examination
- not be within 12 months of the maximum duration of the degree (exceptions may be granted).
You must include the following documents with your application for Advanced Candidature:
- your candidature proposal
- statement setting out the reasons for the request to transfer
- statement of progress from your previous supervisor (not necessary if you are transferring to VU with your supervisor)
- letter of confirmation of candidature from previous institution
- other supporting documentation.
You must also contact the Graduate Research Centre to determine if a place is available.
Failure to achieve candidature
If your application for candidature is unsuccessful you will have one opportunity to resubmit. If candidature is not confirmed in the second attempt you will be advised that your progress is unsatisfactory and will be counselled about the options available.
Contact us
If you require further information please contact the Graduate Research Centre or the College relevant to your area of study.
