Early-stage
Get started in your course with information on enrolment, orientation, induction and confirmation, and learn how to best work with your supervisors and advisory committee.
Getting started
Enrolment
- View the domestic or international Getting Started Guides to accept your offer and complete your administrative enrolment. Graduate researchers aren't required to enrol in subjects, so there's no need to worry about this step.
- Forward an email to science-gr@unimelb.edu.au showing your supervisor's confirmation of your expected commencement date
- Upon arrival, visit Stop 1 to have your identity confirmed and receive your student ID card. If you're an international graduate researcher you'll need to bring your passport to present.
Orientation and Induction
The Graduate Researcher Orientation is your official welcome to the research community at the University of Melbourne. Delivered throughout the year in a series of mostly online sessions the GR Orientation will guide you through the life of a graduate researcher. It will include information on how best to commence your research, how to manage your candidature, and outline the professional development opportunities and support services on offer.
In addition to Orientation, you’ll be invited to attend a Faculty of Science induction session. Here you’ll be introduced to the Graduate Research team, receive an overview of your research degree, and have the chance to ask questions in a live environment. Following this induction, you’ll receive an invitation from your school to a welcome event.
As a new researcher, understand what’s expected of you, your supervisors and your advisory committee by visiting Getting Started on the Graduate Research Hub. To arrange for desks, computers or study spaces, please contact your school administrator.
Your Advisory Committee
Following your enrolment you’ll need to complete your Commencement Form, which you can access via my.unimelb. This includes the Supervisory Agreement, which outlines the expectations of graduate researcher and supervisor. It’s a good opportunity to discuss with your supervisor details such as the frequency of meetings, feedback on written work and IP and authorship. The Supervisory Agreement should be completed with your principal supervisor within 6 months of your commencement.
From day one of your enrolment you’ll have your advisory committee established. Your advisory committee will include your principal supervisor, at least one co-supervisor, and an advisory committee chair, all of which are considered committee members. Your committee members all have a unique role, and all will assist you, in different ways, in managing difficulties throughout your candidature.
In these early stages we recommend visiting the GR Hub to learn more about how to effectively work with your supervisors. You can check who your advisory committee members are by visiting my.unimelb. If you’d like to make changes to the members of your advisory committee, visit the GR Hub: Changing my current supervisors.
Throughout your candidature, you're required to adhere to the University of Melbourne's Research Integrity and Misconduct Policy. All research involving human participants, animals, genetically modified organisms or hazardous biological agents must be approved before your work begins. Find out more about Research Integrity.
Early milestones
Pre-confirmation
Pre-confirmation is a progress review meeting with your advisory committee (which includes your supervisors) held within six months of you commencing. The purpose of this meeting is to give you an opportunity to meet the members of your advisory committee, understand their expectations and check that you’re on track for Confirmation. The requirements of Pre-confirmation may differ between Schools and disciplinary areas so it's best to check with your supervisor and chair what they expect you to have prepared for this meeting.
Note that not all faculties require pre-confirmation, but this is mandatory for graduate researchers in the Faculty of Science.
Confirmation
Confirmation is a major milestone in your candidature and is designed to evaluate progress in your research project, ensure that your work has met expectations, identify any potential issues with your progress and help you set a direction for your successful completion. You’re considered to be on probationary candidature until you’ve confirmed.
Your confirmation review usually involves both an oral presentation of your work and a written report (which should be submitted via your confirmation review form 1-2 weeks prior to your planned confirmation meeting with your advisory committee).
Please ensure that you’re familiar with the due date of your confirmation review. If you’re unsure about confirmation requirements, please contact your school administrator.
Getting involved
Events
The Faculty of Science offers a variety of events to help you engage with your research community, develop professional skills, manage your mental health, and promote your research. More details can be found by visiting Enhance Your Research Experience, where you can also register for various activities and events held throughout the year.
Event highlight: Booting Up your Thesis Bootcamp
This annual event is designed specifically for early-stage graduate researchers and includes everything from how best to manage your data, how to effectively communicate your research, managing your time, as well as editing techniques, all before you’re expected to commence writing up your thesis. Registrations open mid-year so keep an eye on our events page.
Student clubs
We’d also encourage you to join one (or more!) of the various student clubs via the Graduate Student Association. These clubs are student-led and student-run to help you transition from coursework to graduate research, meet other graduate researchers, receive practical advice and support, and assist you in making connections after you graduate.
Making changes to your course
Throughout your degree, there are many opportunities to make changes to your candidature.
Please visit Managing Difficulties for advice on resolving issues during your candidature.