Information for all students & supervisors

POSTGRADUATE COURSEWORK

Please refer to the faculty website for information relevant to postgraduate coursework degrees.
Essential Information for Postgraduate Coursework students

POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH

The faculty has provided detailed online information regarding research degrees. Particularly useful would be the Sydney Medical School website section on frequently asked questions (FAQs).

At Northern, all postgraduate research students are expected to meet the requirements of specified milestones with each year. Details should be discussed with your supervisors and adjusted accordingly. Please see the diagram below for these milestones over the duration of the degree.
Candidature Milestones till Thesis Submission

Annual Progress Review

Students and supervisors must attend a review session organised annually in October as part of their Annual Progress Report (APR). The APR is a tool used by the University to review students' progress, raise any issues and ensure that any problems being faced can be resolved as soon as possible. The APR includes all involved with the candidature, i.e., the student, supervisor, postgraduate coordinator and Chair of the Board of Postgraduate Studies. Please refer to the Sydney Medical School online APR information.

Scholarships and funding

Please refer to the Scholarships Office website for any information or forms regarding student scholarships, i.e., APA/UPA/NHMRC, and the Postgraduate Research Support Scheme (PRSS).

Thesis Submission and timeline

Students are responsible for ensuring that they have met the University and the Sydney Medical School guidelines for formatting and presentation of their thesis. Please refer to the Sydney Medical School website section that provides detailed guidelines to help students, supervisors and postgraduate coordinators in the preparation of PhD theses for examination, the selection of examiners, and in ensuring the timely examination of the thesis.

Thesis Submission Process

Please see the diagram below showing a typical thesis examination timeline, and take note of the duration of the processes.
Thesis Submission Timeline

Students are strongly advised to also read The Thesis Guide (PDF), produced by the Sydney University Postgraduate Representative Association (SUPRA).

Please note that it is the responsibility of the student to confer with the supervisor and then inform the Postgraduate Administration Unit on main campus, of the estimated date of submission at least three (3) months prior to the intended submission date. This is to ensure that the process of examiner selection can take place in a timely manner. Supervisors have to nominate examiners and submit the relevant form at least six weeks prior to thesis submission so that appropriate approvals can be sought.

Candidature Changes

Please refer to the Sydney Medical School website information on the requirements and policies for any requests for changes to candidature.
Candidature Changes for Postgraduate Research Students

Important Note: Candidature Extension
Students who are unable to submit their thesis for examination by the latest date of their degree must submit a formal request for extension to the University via the Faculty Postgraduate Administration Office.

All students needing an extension must complete the extension request form, indicating why they do not expect to meet the deadline and referring to any difficulties that might have been experienced during the candidature. Evidence of difficulties is expected to be noted in annual progress reports. The application for an extension should also contain a realistic estimate of the time required to finish as well as the postgraduate coordinator’s approval. Do not assume that an extension will be granted.

To prevent the lapse of candidature, students must submit this form well before the census dates (30 April & 31 August) as the approval process takes time. The form should be submitted at least 4 weeks before for the first two extension requests and 6 weeks in advance for any further extensions requests as they have to be considered at a Faculty Board meeting.