The Higher Degrees by Research - La Trobe University

The Higher Degrees by Research
The Higher Degrees by Research (HDRs) are:
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD),
professional doctorates and
research masters.
To meet the Australian standard for a research degree it must consists of at least two thirds
research 1 .
Essential requirements, described in more detail below, include the requirement that to
qualify for a doctoral degree the student must make a substantial and original contribution
to knowledge in a thesis not exceeding 100,000 words.
Note that the degrees also require that students meet eligibility for application criteria and
comply with the Conditions of Candidature for Higher Degrees by Research Policy (131012P)
(and Procedures (131013D). Some Conditions of Candidature may be changed with
applications for Variations. These are described in other documents soon to be added to the
Guidelines web page.
Duration
The designated maximum
period of study for a full-time
PhD is four years or
equivalent part-time.
For a Professional doctorate
the maximum period of study
is four years or equivalent
part-time, including the
coursework.
1 La Trobe University, Higher Degrees by Research, The Degrees
For a masters the maximum
period of study is two years
full time or equivalent parttime
part-time.
Students are expected to take recreation leave and may also take sick leave during their
enrolment. Furthermore, within certain limits, it is possible to suspend and extend
enrolment. These are Variations of enrolment (also called variations of candidature –
control click the blue link to open the Variations document).
Note that Australian Postgraduate Awards (APA), and other government funded scholarship
are paid for three years (not including extensions) and La Trobe Postgraduate Research
Scholarships (LTUPRS) and other scholarships administered by LTU are provided for three
years and a half full-time or equivalent part-time (but no extensions are possible) for a
doctoral degree. See the Scholarships web page for their conditions and more details.
1 AVCC, 2005, Universities and their Students: Principles for the Provision of Education by Australian
Universities, p14

Examination criteria and requirements of the degrees
Award of higher degrees by research depend on the examination of completed theses.
Thesis size
For a PhD a thesis may not
exceed 100,000 words
For a Professional doctorate a
thesis may not exceed 75,000
words
footnotes and bibliography are not counted
the size of theses vary among disciplines and fields of study
2 La Trobe University, Higher Degrees by Research, The Degrees
For a masters a thesis may
not exceed 60,000 words
minimum words counts have not been established on a University wide basis
a related requirement is the demonstration of "an ability to communicate in a clear,
concise and authoritative manner" 2
Thesis requirements
PhD and professional doctorates must
make original and substantial
contributions to knowledge. 3
A masters thesis must demonstrate competence
in the design and conduct of a research project
that incorporates methodological skills
appropriate to the discipline and makes a
contribution to knowledge. 4
Examiners of professional doctorates should expect a thesis to make a distinct
contribution to the improvement of professional practice or policy. 5
The requirements for higher research degrees that include original creative work are
specified in the University Handbook for each discipline that offers doctorates of this
kind. The Handbook is published each year although the entries for HDRs change less
frequently.
The thesis must be based on work carried out during enrolment for the research
degree (see below, PhD by Papers and the Thesis by Published Work Guidelines were
some exceptions are allowed). The intention is that the degree is awarded for
2
Regulations 21.2, 21.3 & 21.5 s9(i)
The authority for some points stated here is Regulations 21.2, 21.3 and 21.5 which were rescinded July 2009
(Degrees, Diplomas and Other Awards Statute 2009, s13). However until new regulations, policies or other
authorities create new prescriptions the old regulations apply and compliance with them required unless
HDC(R) agrees to an exception for a particular case.
3
Regulations 21.2 & 21.3 s9(i)(a)
4
Regulations 21.5 s9(i)(a)
5
AVCC, 2005, Universities and their Students: Principles for the Provision of Education by Australian
Universities, p14

esearch training and not in recognition of work, however commendable, completed
and published prior to enrolment at the University. Thus, for example, a report
commissioned by an employer cannot be rebound and submitted for examination
for award of the degree.
A student may refer to work carried out for another degree or at another institution
but must reference it, and as unpublished work if necessary.
There is also a requirement that the student is supervised.
The thesis must include a critical appraisal of relevant literature and available
research, a description of the relationship of the research to the wider field of
knowledge in which it is located, and the contribution to knowledge made with this
research. 6
A thesis must also demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the methodological
techniques and their shortcomings. 7
The thesis must be written in a manner appropriate to the discipline. 8
Authoritative statements of the requirements for higher degrees by research are in the
Schedule of La Trobe University Qualification Categories. The University Handbook
(published annually) prescribes the requirements of each Faculty for the degrees. These
Faculty prescriptions may have more details and differing emphases (e.g. professional
training may be included).
PhD by Papers
As an alternative to the traditional format for a higher degree thesis, students may submit a
thesis in the form of a series of articles arising from the student’s higher degree research.
The Guidelines for PhD by Papers are available from the intranet: Thesis by Published Work
Guidelines.
They include discussion of the number of articles and their integration into the thesis, work
undertaken prior to enrolment for the degree, joint authorship, submission of published
books and examination.
Other University documents
Other University documents relevant to requirements for research degrees are:
Schedule of La Trobe University Qualification Categories
Research Student Selection Criteria Policy
University Handbook
6 Regulations 21.2, 21.3 & 21.5 s9(i)(b)
7 ibid s9(i)(c)
8 Ibid s9(i)(d)
3 La Trobe University, Higher Degrees by Research, The Degrees

PhD in the Course Finder
For details of the Doctor of Philosophy degrees use the links to the Handbook on the
Students HDR Information PhD web page.
Reference
AVCC, 2005 Universities and their Students: Principles for the Provision of Education by
Australian Universities section B, 1 to 8 defines the degrees. Sections 11 to 16 describe the
responsibilities of Universities, supervisors and students. Other sections of The Principles are
referenced where relevant in this document.
4 La Trobe University, Higher Degrees by Research, The Degrees