FAQ for Higher Degrees by Research students
Deakin’s COVID-19 FAQsUpdated 17 February 2021
We are pleased to confirm campus access will be available from tomorrow, Thursday 18 February, with the Victorian Premier lifting the five-day circuit-breaker lockdown from 11.59pm tonight. Read more about the latest updates.
From tomorrow, we will resume all scheduled on-campus teaching and learning activities and research, with the same level of on-campus activity that preceded the lockdown. Fieldwork, student placements and work-integrated learning can also resume, subject to host organisation arrangements. Read more about the on-campus activity resuming after lockdown.
The University will continue to support recruitment for HDRs, including scholarships, with appropriate adjustments as needed due to the COVID-19 challenge; advice and guidelines will be available shortly.
Delays to specific PhD projects and scholarships will be dealt with on a case by case basis. Speak to your supervisor, manager, Institute/SRC Director or Associate Dean Research for further guidance, who will liaise as needed with the Graduate Research Academy.
Candidates’ Maximum Completion Date (MCD)
Candidates’ Maximum Completion Date (MCD) will not automatically be extended. Students will be able to make a case for an extension and apply through the online form.
Students with limited internet access
If students are unable to access the online forms they are welcome to contact our team at research-hdr@deakin.edu.au for Candidature only, research-scholarships@deakin.edu.au for Scholarship students. The team will then work through the process manually with them.
Deferrals for international students
As of 20 March 2020, all international students will have a start date or deferred start date to accommodate travel bans. Deferred students that have been offered a DUPR, they will maintain their scholarships. If travel bans are lifted earlier then the GRA will contact students; if it goes on for longer and you require a further deferral, please contact the GRA.
Remote confirmations of Candidature and other panel discussions
Videoconferencing is already a standard process for remote or internationally-located students, with Zoom being the recommended option. Confirmation of Candidature and other panel discussions can be held via Zoom, with follow up support provided to students, e.g. arranging a follow up informal conversation for debriefing or discussing concerns.
Remote oral exams
Provided arrangements are clearly discussed with the student and the examination panel. Support should be provided to the student before and after the examination, e.g. a designated support person outside the examination panel.
Services available to HDR students who have family overseas impacted by COVID-19
If a student is concerned about their family overseas, for example, family members in lock-down, and this is impacting the student’s health, please refer to the Health and Wellbeing site for support
HDR students located overseas for research and cannot return home to Australia
- Existing HDR students who are overseas and unable to return to Australia have the following options available to them:
- If research cannot be undertaken remotely focus on analysing data, writing literature reviews, thesis chapters, publications or other documents. HDR students can also complete PhD Xtra online coursework units.
- Seek an intermission to candidature or scholarship if the activities listed above cannot be undertaken.
- Our International Research Partnerships team are contacting all students in this situation. If you haven’t been contacted, please email international-partnerships@deakin.edu.au
Online study options available to HDR students – Researcher Training and Development
Visit our one-stop shop researcher training and development site for training and development workshops and online modules.
There are online study options for HDR students. PhD Xtra offers online coursework units. The PhD Xtra CloudDeakin site offers:
- Research Integrity Training and HDR Induction (CloudDeakin) – both are compulsory
- Modules for Orientation, Confirmation, ILP, skills development and approaching completion
- Access to the University Epigeum subscription
Respectful Relationships training (CloudDeakin) is recommended for all Deakin students.
The Library can be accessed to support publication and thesis chapter writing. The Library also has online training guides for a range of research skills. There is online study support available from Smart Thinking. For advice, questions and support you can contact your supervisor, HDR Coordinator, HDR staff or the GRA.
International HDR students who have a confirmed offer but have yet to arrive in Australia
Applicants who have a confirmed offer but have yet to arrive in Australia should defer their offer. For queries, please contact deakin-int-hdr@deakin.edu.au.