Getting started

If you still need to enrol in your course and/or subjects, please follow these handy guides:

Domestic student enrolment guide

International student enrolment guide

Coursework subjects

HDR candidates who are admitted to a Master of Philosophy (previously called a Masters by Research), Professional Doctorate or the Doctor of Philosophy (Integrated) are required to complete coursework subjects prior to, commencing the thesis component of their degree. Supervisors requiring HDR candidates to complete coursework MUST include the subject details in the HDR application approval process so that they can be included in the HDR admission offer letter. Supervisors are responsible for ensuring subjects are compliant with approved course structures.

Re-enrolment process for continuing HDR candidates

All re-enrolling HDR candidates will be re-enrolled automatically at the beginning of each academic year by the Graduate Research School, once a satisfactory Annual Progress Report (APR) has been approved by the Head of Postgraduate Studies or nominee.

All commencing HDR candidates are required to attend HDR Induction. The next induction will be held on 24 February 2026.

HDR Induction provides essential information about the Higher Degree Research experience at UOW, including expectations, key milestones, and strategies for successful candidature. Candidates will also have the opportunity to meet others in their cohort and learn about the range of support available across the University. Candidates will hear from the Dean of Graduate Research, the Research Ethics and Integrity Team, the Library, their HDR Development Coordinator, and more.

View program and register 

The Graduate Research School is dedicated to supporting Higher Degree Research candidates by managing all aspects of candidature, from enrolment to thesis submission and examination. It is important you understand your responsibilities including course completion times, Annual Progress Reports and more.

Enrolment Management

The First Year Checklist page is a useful reference of checkpoints for your first year.

First year checklist

Enrolment Key Dates

Please visit the session dates webpage for information about each session, including the first day that new HDR candidates can enrol in their commencing session.

For degrees without a coursework component—Doctor of Philosophy or Master of Philosophy with a 24 credit point advanced standing—the last date you can enrol is the census date of your commencing session:

• 31 March 2025 for Autumn session
• 31 August 2025 for Spring session.

For degrees that include a coursework component—Master of Philosophy, Master of Research, Doctor of Philosophy (Integrated), or Professional Doctorates—you must enrol in the course by the ‘last day to enrol/add subjects yourself’ as specified on the session dates page for your commencing session.

SESSION DATES >

Census date

Census date is the last date in each session, you can make changes to your enrolment for that session, without incurring fees. All enrolment changes need to be complete by the census date. This includes:

• Leave of Absence
• Variation of Course
• Research Degree Transfers

Annual Progress Report (APR)

The Annual Progress Report is a key milestone for your first year, and is generally in November/December. Find this current dates for Annual Progress Report on the Enrolment Management page.

Email  

Higher Degree Research queries: graduate-research-school@uow.edu.au  

HDR Training & Development queries: graduateresearch-training@uow.edu.au  

Helpful hint: When you send the GRS an email, please include your name and student number in the title of the email so that staff can identify your record and assist in a timely manner. We recommend that HDR candidates use their UOW mail account when contacting the University.  

Phone  

HDR candidates can contact the Graduate Research School on (02) 4221 5452.  

Keep up-to-date 

Graduate Research Newsletter 

The Graduate Research School produce a bi-monthly newsletter that is sent to all HDR candidates and Supervisors via their UOW email. The newsletter provides important HDR updates, upcoming workshops and training, HDR news and events. The newsletter is also a space to share the incredible achievements of our HDR candidates  

Facebook group: UOW HDR Community 

All HDR candidates are welcome to join the UOW HDR Community Facebook Group. This is a space where HDR candidates can connect and interact with others, ask questions and share accomplishments. The Graduate Research School will also promote social activities for HDR candidates in this space.  

UOW depend on many committees and working groups to improve the university – including teaching, research, safety, and financial committees. HDR representatives attend many of these committees, primarily to contribute towards decisions that could benefit HDR candidates. For example, 

• at UOW, the Graduate Research Committee and University Research Committee reach decisions about policies, procedures, and practices to improve research training and research at the university
• three HDR representatives attend these committees: Meagan Powley, Lucky Wuwung, and Ouraida Belhaffef. 

You are welcome to contact these HDR representatives about any concerns or suggestions that feel could inform the Graduate Research Committee or University Research Committee.  These concerns or suggestions might include challenges or changes that are not necessarily specific to your discipline or matters that you feel your school has been unable to resolve. 

Find the full list of relevant policies on our Current Students page.

Common UOW acronyms  

There are some acronyms that you will hear regularly throughout your candidature at UOW.  

Here is a list of commonly used acronyms and terms.