Doctor of Arts / Doctor of Social Sciences

The course resolutions detailed in this page apply to all courses included in the table below under section 1 (course codes). 

These resolutions must be read in conjunction with applicable University By-laws, Rules and policies including (but not limited to) the University of Sydney (Coursework) Rule 2014 (the 'Coursework Rule'), the Coursework Policy 2021 (the 'Coursework Policy'), the Learning and Teaching Policy 2019, the Resolutions of the Faculty, University of Sydney (Student Academic Appeals) Rule 2021, the Academic Honesty in Coursework Policy 2015 and the Academic Honesty Procedures 2016. Current versions of all policies are available from the Policy Register: https://www.sydney.edu.au/policies

Part 1: Preliminary

1  Course codes

Part 2: Admission requirements

2  Eligibility for admission to candidature

(1)  To be eligible to be admitted to candidature by the Dean or Associate Dean, an applicant must:

(a)  hold or have completed the requirements for:

(i)  a bachelor's degree from the University of Sydney or equivalent institution, with first or second class honours, in a relevant subject area; or

(ii)  a bachelor's degree from the University of Sydney or equivalent institution, in a relevant subject area, with a substantial portfolio of published/professional work (such as books, films, TV programs, creative work and/or government reports) equivalent to or greater than an undergraduate honours thesis; or

(iii)  a master's degree from the University of Sydney or equivalent institution, in a relevant subject area, and

(b)  have a minimum of five years' recent, full-time employment or professional experience in a relevant field.

(2)  The Dean or Associate Dean may admit to candidature an applicant who does not meet the requirements of sub-clause (1), provided that the applicant holds a qualification or qualifications that, in the opinion of the Dean or Associate Dean, are equivalent to those prescribed in sub-clause (1).

3  Application for admission to candidature

(1)   An applicant for admission to candidature must submit to the Faculty satisfactory evidence of the applicant's eligibility for admission:

(a)  a proposal for a course of research and advanced study of not less than 1,000 words; and

(b)  a statement certifying the applicant's understanding that, subject to the HDR Rule, if the candidature is successful, his or her thesis will be lodged with the University Librarian and made available for immediate public use.

(2)  In addition, an applicant for admission to part-time candidature must submit a statement that he or she will have sufficient time available to complete the requirements of the degree in accordance with these resolutions.

4  Credit transfer

(1)  The HDR Rule specifies the conditions for the granting of credit for previous studies, including the effect on completion times, except that:

(a)  any research credit granted shall ordinarily not exceed two semesters full-time or equivalent part-time; and

(b)  for coursework -

(i)  the coursework should have been completed with a high level of competency (normally at least at Distinction level) and be relevant to the candidate's program of study.

Part 3: Candidature

5  Appointment of supervisor

The Associate Dean (Research Education will appoint supervisors for each candidate in accordance with the HDR Rule and the Higher Degree by Research Supervision Policy 2020.

6  Control of candidature

The HDR Rule specifies the conditions for the control of candidature by the University.

7  Location of candidature and attendance

The HDR Rule specifies the conditions for the location of candidature and attendance by candidates at the University.

Part 4: Requirements

8  Degree requirements

(1)  To satisfy the requirements of the degree candidates must:

(a)  complete any specified probationary requirements; and

(b)  complete within the first year (full-time equivalency) of candidature a minimum of 12 credit points of study from Table R as determined in the relevant Faculty milestones statement, and any other studies as required by the supervisor(s) of the research project;

(c)  conduct research on the approved topic; and

(d)  write a thesis embodying the results of the research; or

(e)  produce a significant creative project and a thesis embodying the results of the research.

9  Units of study

Candidates must complete within the first year (full-time equivalency) a minimum of 12 credit points of study from Table R as determined in the relevant Faculty milestones statement, and any other studies as required by the supervisor(s) of the research project.

10  The thesis

(1)  A candidate shall produce a thesis that meets the requirements specified in the HDR Rule.

(2)  The thesis will normally have a minimum of 60,000 and an upper limit of 80,000 words, including footnotes, for candidates not also submitting a significant creative project.

(3)  The thesis will normally have a minimum of 20,000 and an upper limit of 30,000 words, including footnotes, for candidates also submitting a significant creative project.

(4)  The thesis may exceed the upper word limit by up to 10,000 words with the permission of the Associate Dean (Research Education). The upper word limit does not include appendices.

Part 5: Enrolment and progression

11  Probation

(1)  A candidate is normally accepted for candidature on a probationary basis for a period not exceeding one year according to the provisions of the HDR Rule.

(2)  In the probationary period, other than in exceptional circumstances, to the satisfaction of the Faculty Postgraduate Research Education Committee, each candidate must:

(a)  meet any conditions set by the Faculty Postgraduate Research Education Committee; and

(b)  meet requirements in accordance with the Progress Planning Review for Higher Degree by Research Students Policy and Procedures.

12  Time limits, earliest and latest submission dates

The HDR Rule specifies the allowable completion times and submission dates available for full- and part-time candidates in this course.

13  Mode of attendance

The attendance pattern for this course is full-time or part-time according to candidate choice.

14  Discontinuation of candidature

A candidate may discontinue enrolment in a unit of study or the degree subject to the conditions specified by the HDR Rule.

15  Suspension of candidature

A candidate may suspend enrolment from the degree subject to the conditions specified by the HDR Rule.

16  Leave of absence

A candidate may take leave of absence from the degree subject to the conditions specified by the HDR Rule.

17  Progress

A candidate is required to maintain satisfactory progress towards the timely completion of the degree. Progress will be reviewed annually according to the provisions of the HDR Rule.

Part 6: Examination

18  Examination of the thesis

(1)  Examination of the thesis and significant creative project (where applicable) will be conducted in general accordance with standards and procedures prescribed by Academic Board in the Thesis and Examination for Higher Degree by Research Students Policy 2015.

19  Award of the degree

The degree is awarded at the Pass level only.

Part 7: Other

20  Transitional provisions

These resolutions apply to students who commenced their candidature after 1 January 2021 and students who commenced their candidature prior to 1 January 2021 who elect to proceed under these resolutions. Students who commenced their candidature prior to 1 January 2021 may complete the requirements in accordance with the resolutions in force at the time of their commencement.