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Research students

New student enrolment

If you are a local student once you have accepted your offer for admission to one of the Faculty of Law research programs, the Graduate Research School (GRS) will generate an enrolment form which it will forward to the Faculty.  The Faculty will then contact you to advise you that your enrolment form is available for your completion. 

If you are an international student to accept your offer you will need to pay the deposit specified in your offer letter at the University Cashier (opening hours 9:30am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday, C 22 on the UNSW campus map.  Alternatively you can accept online at  www.my.unsw.edu.au.  You should then present your payment receipt and signed acceptance letter to the GRS to have your enrolment form generated (level 2 of the Rupert Myers building, M15 campus map reference) . Once your enrolment form is generated it will be forwarded to the Faculty.  The Faculty will then contact you to advise you that your enrolment form has been forwarded form the GRS and to organise a time for you to come in to the Faculty and complete the form. Once this has happened, your enrolment form will be forwarded to the GRS for processing.

Twenty-four hours after the GRS have enrolled you, you can collect your student ID card from FM Assist (campus map reference F23).  This card is used as proof of identification, to borrow books from the University Libraries, to access the Faculty building and for discounts at University Union food outlets.  If you are a full-time research student you will be allocated a workstation on level 3 of the Law Faculty building. Access to the following areas of Law Building from 7am to 11pm, seven days a week will be organised for you:

  • Main entrances and Centres corridor
  • Level 2 and 3 corridors
  • Mailroom 273
  • Level 3 Postgraduate workstation area

If you have been awarded a scholarship, you need to complete the Commencement of Study form and lodge it with the GRS as soon as possible after you have commenced your studies.

You must be enrolled every semester by the Census Date, unless you are on approved program leave.  Program leave is on a semester basis and this must be applied for and approved prior to the Census Date to take effect in that semester.

The Census Dates for Semester 1 and 2 are as follows:

Semester 1: 31 March
Semester 2: 31 August

Late Enrolment

If you are not able to enrol before the commencement of semester, please contact the Graduate Research School at: law.grs@unsw.edu.au.

Essential information for new research students

MyUNSW

MyUNSW is your gateway to the administrative and information services you need throughout your research candidature.  To access myUNSW you visit: www.my.unsw.edu.au.

MyUNSW allows you to:

  • Update your contact details
  • My News and Events brings you the latest news at UNSW
  • My Announcements is where you will find important messages and reminders from UNSW to you – be sure to check these regularly
  • The Thesis Examination Management system for recording and viewing administrative steps in the examination of research theses
  • Scholarship pay advices
  • Pay advice for research students undertaking paid work at UNSW
  • Handbooks and Guides
  • Pay and view fees
  • View assessment results and academic standing
  • Academic records
  • Graduation information
  • Key links – information and links to other academic, administrative and general student services such as the UNSW Library, Faculty websites and systems, etc.

Email

It is important to check your University email address regularly or to arrange to have this forwarded to an account that is checked often.  Official communication from the University will be sent to this account.  It is your responsibility to ensure that you check this account regularly.  

University Password (UniPass)

You will need to use your UniPass to access a range of services throughout your candidature.  This password is used for gaining access to electronic resources such as email and WebCT.  Information on how to set up your email and obtain a UniPass is available at: it.unsw.edu.au.

IT Support

If you have any other problems that cannot be solved by visiting the IT Services website, please send an email to servicedesk@unsw.edu.au, phone them on 9385 1333/1777, or visit them in person on Level 2 of the Library Building (campus map reference E21).

Courses and Programs for New Research Students

Faculty of Law Research Methods Course

The Faculty of Law will be providing a twelve-week Research Methods Course which will be commence in Week 1 of Semester 1 2012 on Wednesday evenings from 6 to 8 pm.  Attendance at this course is compulsory for all new full and part-time research students. For students enrolled in the Faculty's PhD program, satisfactory performance in this course is a requirement for confirmation of candidature.  Further information in relation to the structure and content of the course and the dates when it will be offered is available at: http://www.law.unsw.edu.au/file/36502.

GRS Orientation Program

The GRS offers Postgraduate Research Student Induction sessions for new research students at the beginning of Semester 1 and Semester 2.  Attendance at these sessions is compulsory for all research students commencing a research degree to ensure a smooth transition to research study at UNSW.  All research students are expected to attend one of these sessions as soon as practicable after commencing their candidature.

As well the GRS provides a key publication “Essentials for Research Students” for all new research students.  This publication provides a useful summary of documents and contacts needed by students during their candidature including:

  • A comprehensive list of services and resources made available by the University,
  • Information on useful contacts,
  • Guidelines, policies and procedures.

All new research students will be provided with a copy of this document upon enrolment.  An electronic version of the document can be downloaded from the GRS website.

Research Student Reviews

Ongoing enrolment in the PhD program is subject to confirmation between six and nine months full-time equivalent (FTE).  PhD students are required to attend a Confirmation of Candidature Review Panel for this purpose.

General information on the requirements of  this Review is included in the  “UNSW Procedure for Confirmation and Review of Progress of a PhD Candidature” which is available at: http://research.unsw.edu.au/sites/all/files/related_files/regular_page_content/AnnualProgressReviewsandConfirmationofCandidature.pdf.

For this Review doctoral students are required to complete the Annual Progress Review Form and also provide the information set out in section 5, page 3 of the above document. These requirements must be read in conjunction with the attached Faculty of Law Guidelines, which set out the Faculty’s specific requirements for confirmation of a PhD candidature : Confirmation of candidature guidelines.pdf

Once candidature has been confirmed PhD students are required to attend an Annual Progress Review Panel. Information on this Review is also available in the above document.

Research students enrolling in the SJD and LLM by Research are required to attend a Review Panel towards the end of their first year of candidature and then on an annual basis thereafter.  Information on the Annual Progress Review is available at: http://research.unsw.edu.au/annual-progress-reviews .

Travel Policy and procedure

If you wish to undertake any travel relevant to your candidature (e.g. to attend a conference) you should apply in the first instance through the GRS-administered PRSS travel assistance scheme.  Information on this scheme is available at:
http://research.unsw.edu.au/prss-conference-travel-funds. The Faculty will top up funds granted through this scheme, and in certain exceptional cases assist students who   are not eligible under this scheme (for example, because their application is out of time or because they are not presenting a conference paper).  Applications for exceptional funding of this sort should be supported by your supervisors and be submitted to Jenny Jarrett on j.jarrett@unsw.edu.au.  Please also be sure to contact Jenny by email or telephone (02 9385 3821) before you make any bookings so that we can provide you with a copy of the Faculty Travel Policy and procedures.

Fieldwork Support Fund

A separate fund to cover fieldwork expenses, including travel related to fieldwork, has been established with the support of the New South Wales Society.  Applications for up to $5,000 will be considered in the first instance.  The deadline for the initial round of applications is 30 April 2011.  Please contact Jenny Jarrett for further details.

Familiarise yourself with the Graduate Research School website
The Graduate Research School (GRS) website is available at:  research.unsw.edu.au.  The information that is available on this website includes:

  • The Graduate Research School also produces a comprehensive guide for all enrolled postgraduate research candidates, their supervisors and Postgraduate Coordinators at UNSW.  The Handbook provides comprehensive information that covers every stage of higher degree candidatures. A hard copy of this guide is available through the Faculty of Law office and a electronic version  is available at the GRS: research.unsw.edu.au/freegate/candidatehandbook2011/index.html
  • Re-enrolment information – you will be asked to re-enrol for your research program early at the beginning of each year.  The form is available at:  research.unsw.edu.au/postgraduate-enrolment.  Once you have completed this form please forward it to Jenny and a short-time after doing this please check your enrolment on myUNSW at www.my.unsw.edu.au to make sure it is correct.
  • Variation to candidature – if you need to vary your candidature in any way e.g. change from full-time to part-time, take program leave, suspend any scholarships currently held, apply for an extension of your enrolment, withdraw from your program – you need to complete a Variation to Candidature form  and forward it to Jenny on j.jarrett@unsw.edu.au so that she can organise for it to be processed.
  • Other essential forms for Postgraduate Research Students are available at  research.unsw.edu.au/graduate-research-school-policy-and-procedures. These forms can be used if, for example you need to extend your visa, vary your course, request a scholarship extension etc. Once completed, these forms should be forwarded to Jenny for processing.
  • The Postgraduate Research Student Support (PRSS) Scheme is a centrally funded initiative to provide eligible postgraduate research students with the opportunity to apply for funding to assist in presenting their research at local or international conferences. Information on this scheme is available at:  http://research.unsw.edu.au/prss-conference-travel-funds

Re-enrolment for continuing students

Continuing research students cannot pursue their studies unless they are enrolled. Re-enrolment occurs on a yearly basis and must be completed by the end of the University’s re-enrolment period in February or July. An email will be forwarded to all research students before the commencement of each semester reminding them to check that they are enrolled for the coming semester/s and if they are not enrolled, advising them of the date by which a re-enrolment form needs to be returned to the Faculty Office for processing.

Students can check whether or not they are enrolled by logging into their student profile at myUNSW to view their enrolment details. (Please note: in My Student Profile chose the Update Your Enrolment option and then click on the Enrolment History button for the relevant semesters to check if you are enrolled).

If a research student is not enrolled for the coming semester/s then they need to complete a re-enrolment form which is available at: http://www.grs.unsw.edu.au/currentstudents/enrolment.html and forward it to Jenny Jarrett on j.jarrett@unsw.edu.au by the date specified in the email.  In forwarding your re-enrolment form please confirm the following information:

  • The program you are enrolled in;
  • Whether you wish to be enrolled as a part-time or full-time student;
  • If you re re-enrolling in semester 1, whether you wish to be enrolled in both semester 1 and 2.

To ensure there are no problems with your re-enrolment please make sure that any fees owed to the University are paid.
The most up-to-date re-enrolment information is available on the GRS website at: http://www.grs.unsw.edu.au/currentstudents/enrolment.html.

Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure that you are enrolled at the start of each semester and that your enrolment record is correct.  Failure to re-enrol each year without approved leave will be regarded as lapsed candidature and you may be discontinued from your program.

Also please note that once you are re-enrolled your previous student card may be cancelled and you may be required to obtain a new student card from FMAssist (campus map reference F23 http://www.facilities.unsw.edu.au/Maps/pdf/kensington.pd).

Enrolment deadlines

Candidates must be enrolled no later than the semester the census date: 31 March (semester 1) or 31 August (semester 2).  Research candidates who are unable to enrol by these dates should contact the GRS for advice on how to proceed.

Lapsed Candidature

Lapsed candidature refers to candidates who have not formally applied for program leave.  The GRS will notify lapsed candidates.  Failure to obtain the necessary approvals may result in the Higher Degree Committee requesting the candidate to “show cause” as to why the candidature should not be terminated.

Please note: International research candidates on a student visa must be enrolled at all times.  Failure to re-enrol will result in cancellation of the visa.

Full-time and Part-time candidature

Enrolment as a full-time candidate requires a minimum commitment of 35 to 40 hours per week. If candidates have employment or other commitments that prevent them from devoting at least 35 hours to candidature a week (they should enrol as a part-time candidate.  Full-time research candidates should not be employed in a full-time capacity.

Part-time enrolment is 50% of full-time candidature and candidates require a commitment of at least 15 hours per week in order to complete the degree in the appropriate time.  If candidates are unable to maintain this level, progress and enrolment status should be reviewed and discussed with supervisors and the Director of Postgraduate Research.

Please Note:  It is a requirement of international student visas, that candidates are enrolled full-time, unless there are exceptional compassionate and compelling reasons.

Variation to Candidature

The term “variation to candidature” refers to any change in enrolment status that the University needs to formally note as it may affect entitlements, progression or scholarship payments.

The following are variations to candidature that require School and/or Higher Degree Committee and/or Dean of GRS approval.  To apply for a variation to candidature listed below candidates must complete the Variation to Candidature form found on the GRS website at: http://research.unsw.edu.au/sites/all/files/related_files/regular_page_content/variationform.pdf.

Once you have completed the form please forward it to Jenny Jarrett on j.jarrett@unsw.edu.au together with your re-enrolment form or other supporting documentation as appropriate, for processing.  Candidates should apply for a variation to candidature in the following circumstances:

  1. If candidates wish to change between full-time and part-time enrolment
  2. If candidates wish to take leave for a full semester, and/or wish to suspend their scholarships
  3. To apply for an extension of enrolment – if candidates have completed two years full-time equivalent for a Masters, three years full-time equivalent for a SJD or four years full-time equivalent for a PhD.  Please see the information on the Variation to Candidature Form if a longer period of candidature has elapsed
  4. To withdraw from a research degree program

Please note: Changes candidature must be applied for, and approved by the appropriate course authority, no later than 31 March for Semester 1 and 31 August for Semester 2. Variations will not be granted retrospectively.

Other information and essential forms that students may require throughout their candidature are also available on the above webpage and include:

Useful websites and contact numbers

Graduate Reseach School:  http://research.unsw.edu.au/units/graduate-research-school
Contact number: 02 9385 5500/5502
Email: enquiries.grs@unsw.edu.au

Law: www.law.unsw.edu.au
Contact numbers and email addresses:

Director of Postgraduate Research:
Professor Theunis Roux
t.roux@unsw.edu.au

Higher Degree Research Officer:
Jenny Jarrett  02 9385 3821
j.jarrett@unsw.edu.au

 IT Service Desk:
Contact Number: 02 9385 1333
Email: servicedesk@unsw.edu.au

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