Admission of candidates

Charles Sturt receives enquiries about our HDR programs via direct approaches to supervisors, enquiries to the Faculty Sub-Dean Graduate Studies, and enquiries to the Graduate Research and Admissions Offices. To formally commence the admissions process, the prospective candidate must submit a formal application for admission.

Once the candidate applies for admission, the Sub-Dean Graduate Studies works to identify suitable supervisors, if not already nominated. The Principal Supervisor will be asked to complete an Admission Recommendation Form. Prospective supervisors need to meet with the prospective candidate and discuss their proposed research topic and get a feel for their abilities – you can do this in person or via Teams.

Considerations for supporting potential candidates

It is important for the prospective supervisors, the School/Institute and the Faculty to consider the following points.

• The research topic proposed and does it align with the Charles Sturt University Research Strategy
• Adequate supervision capacity is available (number of staff, leadership experience and subject expertise)
• Resources and facilities required
• Principal Supervisor's current supervisory workload and whether taking on a new HDR candidate may affect his/her ability to continue supervising others
• Co-Supervisors - identifying which supervisors are available and how they will complement the supervisory team
• Inexperienced Principal Supervisors and ensuring that other more experienced supervisors are available for mentoring
• Acknowledging cultural differences
• Anticipating any potential conflicting interests

Admissions forms

The prospective Principal Supervisor will complete an Admission Recommendation form. It must be authorised by the Head of School/Institute Director and the Faculty Sub-Dean Graduate Studies before it is submitted to the Dean, Graduate Research.

Following the prospective HDR candidate submitting an admissions application form, an Admissions Recommendation Request (eForm) is assigned to the Principal Supervisor via the Dynamics 365 CRM system. The nominated Principal Supervisor will receive an email notification containing the CRM link to the individual request to be actioned.

The form captures the HDR candidate’s details, including:

• Intended course
• Study load and location
• Previous education history
• English proficiency
• Required probationary conditions
• Proposed research topic
• Supervisors allocated

For more information, review the CRM Admission Recommendation User Guide.

Approval process

1. Once approved by the Dean, Graduate Research, the Admissions Office will issue a formal Letter of Offer to the potential candidate.
2. When the offer is accepted, the Office of Research Services and Graduate Studies is notified and advises the Principal Supervisor.
3. The Principal Supervisor then liaises with the candidate to make commencement arrangements.