Skip to main content

HDR units of study

Progression and evidence requirements

In 2024, the mandatory coursework requirement for most higher degree by research students will be removed, and the milestones in the Research Education Candidature System (RECS) set up to monitor their completion will be deactivated as of 1 January 2024. Some Faculties and University Schools will continue to have mandatory coursework for HDR students and these milestones will remain active in RECS. Make sure you check if you will be required to study coursework units of study as part of your course.

If you have already completed the mandatory coursework requirements introduced in 2021 and completed the relevant milestones in RECS, they will still be listed as ‘completed’.

If you have already completed units of study but did not complete the milestones in RECS, they will be removed from your profile (as they have been deactivated). The completion of your units of study will remain on your academic transcript; however, the milestones will be removed as there is no longer a policy requirement for them to be assessed as part of your progression in the degree.

Students with mandatory coursework

icon

In exceptional circumstances, you may be able to apply for an exemption from coursework based on previously completed coursework. Find out more about HDR coursework exemptions.

If you are required to complete coursework units, from 2024 these will appear as milestones in RECS. In order for progression requirements to be met, you will need to complete these units and upload your internal transcript to RECS.

To access your transcript, log in to Sydney Student, go to ‘My studies’, ‘Assessments’ then ‘View your academic transcript’.

Units of study do not automatically display in RECS so you will need to complete these steps to ensure your units are reflected correctly.

This evidence will be used by your Progress Evaluation Meeting (PEM) panel to determine your progression in your course, along with other milestone checks and candidature requirements. If you don't complete the required amount of coursework, or you fail a unit of study that the faculty mandates for progression, you may be deemed to have made unsatisfactory progress.

Last updated: 14 December 2023

Website feedback

Tell us if you’ve spotted a typo or something else wrong with this page.

Thank you

Your feedback has been sent.

Sorry there was a problem sending your feedback. Please try again

You should only use this form to send feedback about the content on this webpage – we will not respond to other enquiries made through this form. If you have an enquiry or need help with something else such as your enrolment, course etc you can contact the Student Centre.

Cancel