The Stages of a Thesis

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The PhD thesis makes a substantial, original contribution to scholarship. Unlike Bachelor and Masters degrees, which are awarded by the Faculty, the PhD is awarded by the University. Accordingly, the process of enrolment and progress reviewing is administered by the School of Graduate Studies (SGS) located in the 1888 Building in Grattan Street, Parkville. Throughout your candidature you will be required to obtain and lodge various forms with the SGS.

You should particularly consult the excellent PhD Handbook prepared by SGS.

A timetable of stages of the research and of the different reviews during your PhD candidate is summarised in the attached.

The stages of the research process, and what is required at each progress review are as follows:

1. Induction Review: at 2 months (full-time equivalent) after formal enrolment. detailed description
2. Confirmation of Candidature: at 9 months (full-time equivalent). PhD candidates start with a probationary period until candidature is confirmed. The purpose of the Confirmation Review is to establish that you have a strong, viable topic and that you are in a position to produce research which will make a substantial contribution to human understanding. detailed description
3. Half-way Review: at 18 months (full-time equivalent). By this stage, it is expected that you will have completed most of your empirical or theoretical investigation for the thesis, have drafted two chapters and have a good idea of the shape of the whole thesis. detailed description
4. SGS Progress Review: at 24 months (full-time equivalent). By this stage, you should have drafts of a significant proportion of the chapters and have a clear timetable of the remaining tasks required for completion. detailed description
5. Faculty 2.5 year Review: at 30 months (full-time equivalent). By this stage, you should have drafts of all chapters of the thesis, and a timetable for the remaining 6 months of candidature. detailed description
6. Completion Review and Notice of Intention to Submit: at 33 months (full-time equivalent). By this stage, you should have well-developed drafts of all chapters of the thesis, and be ready to submit in 3 months. detailed description

Master of Arts (MA)

Unlike the PhD degree, a Master of Arts degree is awarded by the Faculty, and regular Progress Reports will be sent to you by the Arts Research office.

A timetable of stages of the research and of the different reviews during your MA candidate is summarised in the attached.

The stages of the research process, and what is required at each progress review are as follows:

1. Induction Review: at 2 months (full-time equivalent) after formal enrolment. detailed description
2. First Progress report: at 6 months (full-time equivalent). The purpose of this Review is to establish that you have a strong, viable topic and that you are in a position to produce research which will make a substantial contribution to human understanding. detailed description
3. Second Progress Review: "Review by Circulation": at 12 months (full-time equivalent). By this stage, you should have completed your empirical or theoretical work, have very solid drafts of at least two chapters of the thesis, and a timetable for the remaining 6 months of candidature. detailed description
4. Completion Review and Notice of Intention to Submit: at 15 months (full-time equivalent). By this stage, you should have well-developed drafts of all chapters of the thesis, and be ready to submit in 3 months. detailed description