Course enrolment information

Step 2: Ready to commence? Find information on finalising your PhD and MA commencement as a Faculty of Arts graduate researcher.

Before you commence in your research

► Have you accepted your offer online, set up your student account and completed your administrative enrolment? Here are the links to the Get Started page for Graduate researchers (domestic) and Graduate researchers (international).
► Have you reviewed the coursework information in the Overview of course structure page?

If you have conditions associated with your course offer, you will need to have met them before commencing your enrolment.

If you are an International student, you will need to commence your student visa application process as soon as you receive your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) to ensure that you are ready to study at Melbourne by the first day of Semester 1.

Before submitting the Graduate Research Enrolment Request form, please read the course and candidature requirements carefully. You should also have discussed your official start date and coursework subject selection with your principal supervisor and obtained pre-approval.

How to enrol

In order to complete the enrolment process, you must:

  1. Have completed the administrative enrolment step (refer to Get Started). The final step of the process involves checking a box to accept your enrolment terms and conditions.
  2. Submit the Graduate Research Enrolment Request Form at least a week before your nominated start date and no later than 1 February to allow sufficient time for review and processing.
Key points:
  • Graduate research students are unable to independently enrol in subjects using the Study Plan. The Arts Graduate Research Team will finalise your enrolment.
  • After you have completed the administrative enrolment and submitted enrolment, our team will proceed to prepare your enrolment in your thesis and coursework subjects, and you will be enrolled on your nominated start date, not earlier. Your candidature will officially commence from your start date.
  • You are not required to make an appointment with the Arts Graduate Research Team to finalise your enrolment. Instead, please submit the enrolment request form above, and register and attend the Faculty Orientation and School Induction sessions.
  • All students must commence on campus by the first day of Semester 1. No late arrival or enrolment will be accepted. 
    If you cannot arrive on campus by the enrolment lapse date, please contact the Arts Graduate research team.

PhD Coursework Requirements

Please discuss with your principal supervisor and obtain pre-approval for your subject selection before submitting the enrolment request form. You are responsible for ensuring that selected subjects are compliant with the approved course structure. Masters by research candidates are encouraged to participate in the PhD Research Intensive Workshop (ARTS90005) subject.

It is a Doctor of Philosophy – Arts (PhD) course requirement that you complete the PhD Coursework Component before Confirmation of Candidature. This component consisting of completing the PhD Research Intensive and a relevant Researching workshop stream in the first semester,  and two Elective subjects (2 x 6.25 credit points).

  • The Intensive Workshop (ARTS90005) is a compulsory subject that requires attendance in two day-long sessions.
  • All students are required to select one Arts PhD Research Workshop with approval from their supervisor.
  • All students are required to complete two PhD elective subjects from the list in the Course Handbook. However, with the approval of your principal supervisor, you may be permitted to substitute one or both of the Electives with a subject considered necessary for your research and at an equivalent level from the Handbook.

To submit a request for elective substitution, you must

  • Have obtained written support from your supervisor and approval from the relevant subject coordinator; and
  • Attach the evidence of written support and approval, with a brief explanation of the reasoning behind the request in your Graduate Research Enrolment Request Form.

If approved for substitution, you will be enrolled in the subject(s) and informed accordingly.

What’s next?

  • Attend the Faculty of Arts GR Welcome session (mandatory before your enrolment can be finalised)
  • Learn about what the University expects from you as a candidate - Your Obligations and Responsibilities
  • It is your responsibility to complete the formal requirements for enrolment and other conditions of candidature and you must comply with the Graduate Resarch procedures, as well as the codes of good practice in research, as detailed in our policies and guidelines
  • Be familiar with your scholarship benefits and terms & conditions.
  • You will be enrolled on your nominated start date and you will receive a notification email once this has been finalised.

Enrolment FAQ

  • When will my enrolment be finalised?


    Your enrolment will be finalised on the day of your nominated start date. For international student visa holders, you must be on campus to be enrolled.

    Graduate Researchers cannot self-enrol online. You must submit an Enrolment Request and the Arts Graduate Research team will enrol you in your thesis and coursework subjects.

    Once you've completed your administrative enrolment online and submitted your Enrolment Request form, you have completed everything you need to at this stage to finalised your enrolment.

    You are not required to make an appointment with the Arts Graduate Research Team to finalise your enrolment. Instead, please make sure you attend the Orientation and School Induction meeting during O-week.

    We’ll complete your enrolment based on your enrolment request form, send you an enrolment confirmation email and advise you when the you can organise your student card at Stop 1.

    It can take up to 24 hours after enrolment for subjects to become available in the LMS.

    If you are completing coursework subjects, please note all PhD subjects are single sitting and you do not need to register for classes. Please refer to the Handbook for subject delivery mode and timetable. The expectation is that you will attend the PhD coursework component on campus and meet the residency requirement in the first 12 months of your candidature (unless you are a joint PhD candidate based at the partner institution).

  • When can I expect my scholarship payment(s)?

    Payments are made on set Fortnightly pay days and it takes between 2-4 weeks to process your scholarship payment. Make sure you have accepted your scholarship offer, correctly supplied your Australian bank account and address details, and fulfilled all other applicable conditions of your scholarships.

Handbooks (PhD and MA)

View the relevant University Handbook below for course requirements:

Handbook entries are updated in November of each year for the following year.

Glossary

View the commonly used terms or phrases that you may come across throughout your candidature.

Graduate Research Glossary