Information for Advisory Committee

Student Progress

  • Supervisors, together with the student’s Advisory Committee, are responsible for monitoring and reporting the student’s progress in accordance with the Graduate Research Training Policy.

    • Supervisors and Advisory Committees must meet with students regularly during candidature and complete the required progress review forms.
    • These formal meetings allow the student, supervisors and Advisory Committee members to review research progress, discuss obstacles, consider current and potential problems, and identify improvements.
    • The purpose is to assess whether the progress to date is likely to produce a high-quality thesis within the required time and whether the student is receiving appropriate research training.
    • Attendance at these meetings is also necessary to maintain the student’s enrolment and scholarship eligibility.
    • Early identification of problems is essential for successful completion. Project-related issues, concerns about student progress or supervision should be recognised, discussed and addressed promptly (for example, by initiating appropriate interventions).
    • Regular meetings and ongoing feedback provide structured support and help to detect and resolve problems before they become insurmountable.

    For Guidance on chairing a Progress Review Meeting, consult the Department's Guidelines for Chairs of Advisory Committees.

  • The pre-confirmation meeting must take place by six months of PhD candidature (or by three months for a Master’s by research). The student, supervisors and Chair of the Advisory Committee meet to ensure the student is on track to meet the confirmation milestone. Where difficulties are identified, supportive measures can be implemented early.

  • This is the principal milestone and must occur by 12 months of PhD candidature (or by six months for a Master’s by research). Its aim is to determine whether the work completed to date indicates a strong likelihood of producing a high-quality thesis within the required timeframe.

  • Progress review meetings with the student’s Advisory Committee occur every 12 calendar months and comprise a formal discussion and assessment of the student’s progress.

Information that supervisors can suggest to students

  • At the Service Finder, http://services.unimelb.edu.au/finder you can access a comprehensive student support network including:

    • Tools for success: student connect, course planning, IT
    • Support: children’s services, scholarships, student housing, legal services, Murrup Barak, equity and disability support
    • Health and wellbeing: the Melbourne Dental Clinic, chaplaincy, eyecare, security, mediation and mindfulness
    • Jobs and opportunities: Careers online, internships, volunteering, global mobility

  • Health Service at the University of Melbourne forms part of the Wellbeing Services Division. They provide health care for local and international students, staff and their dependents.

    The University Health Service is a general practitioner service. Some of the services provided include management of illness, advice about general health and wellbeing, mental health issues including anxiety and depression, contraception, sexual health, etc.

    There are male and female doctors available, and you are usually able to see the doctor of your choice.

    Consultations are strictly confidential. With your permission, medical staff can write certificates for students who are patients of this clinic provided that they have seen the person during the illness or are aware of the circumstances of the problem.

    For more information or make an appointment visit: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/health

  • https://students.unimelb.edu.au/student-support/scholarships-and-financial-support/financial-aid

  • CAPS provides counselling, training and personal development opportunities to students and staff including:

    • Workshops
    • One to one support
    • Online tools, videos and courses
    • Crisis assistance

    Visit their website for more: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/counsel

  • https://gsa.unimelb.edu.au/

    The Graduate Student Association (GSA) represents the interests of all postgraduate students at the University. It offers services in areas such as:

    • Representation
    • Study & Work
    • Community and Social Events
    • Facilities
    • All students are strongly encouraged to refer to the Orientation and Induction website https://gradresearch.unimelb.edu.au/getting-started/orientation-and-induction;  and
    • Enrol in the next available orientation session run by the CSHE for Graduate Researchers https://melbourne-cshe.unimelb.edu.au/#events
    • Please also download the Supervisory Agreement which you need to complete with your Committee.
    • International Graduate Researchers should refer to the online International Student Checklist website: https://students.unimelb.edu.au/new-students/international-student-checklist
    • Please refer to the Graduate Research website: Get Started at Melbourne for Domestic Graduate Researchers or Get Started at Melbourne for International Students.

University Contacts

  • Stop1 connects you with the full range of student services to support your success throughout your studies. https://students.unimelb.edu.au/stop1

    The main entrance to Stop 1 (Parkville) is on the ground of 757 Swanston Street

    Online: ask.unimelb and students.unimelb.edu.au

    Email and live chat: ask.unimelb Phone: 136352

    Stop 1 can help you with

    Administration and Enrolment

    Health and Wellbeing

    Skills and Opportunities

    Enrolment assistance

    Scholarship information

    Student Visa advice

    Student fees

    Safety on campus

    Disability and equity services

    Counselling

    Housing and money

    Career and employability

    Planning your career

    Key dates

    Diversity and inclusion

    		 
     

    Faith and spirituality

  • If you require any IT Support please either call the UoM Service Centre on 8433 0888 or submit requests through the ServiceNow Portal.

    Major software and equipment developments will not be undertaken directly for student research. Student research projects should make use of facilities already existing in the supervisors’ laboratory or research arsenal or check the list of software accessible to students in libraries as well as to their personal computer.

    For specialist software  candidates may need, or access to shared drives, their supervisor will need to lodge the request.

    Information on computer facilities on-campus check Student IT @ UniMelb.

  • Provides connections to:

    • Research tools
    • Workshops
    • Expertise and community support
    • Workshops and recordings
    • One-on-one assistance
    • Discipline specific advice

    Find out more at: https://library.unimelb.edu.au/research#graduate-researchers

    https://blogs.unimelb.edu.au/23researchthings/

  • http://library.unimelb.edu.au/

  • https://students.unimelb.edu.au/academic-skills/graduate-research-services

    Graduate researchers must be able to evaluate and synthesise literature and data, analyse critically within and across changing disciplinary environments, and communicate their research orally and in writing to a variety of audiences.

    No matter which stage of your research you’re in, Academic Skills offers a variety of free services to help you develop these skills.