• Section 1 - Purpose and Context
• Section 2 - Definitions
• Section 3 - Policy Statement
• Part A - Admission
• Part B - Candidature
• Mode of Candidature
• Period of Candidature
• Variation to the Period of Candidature:
• Academic Progress and Review of Candidature
• Part C - Research Misconduct for Research Students
• Part D - Advanced Study
• Part E - Ethics Committee Approval
• Part F - Annual Reports
• Part G - Termination of Candidature
• Part H - Leave of Absence
• Part I - Transfer
• Part J - The Thesis
• Part K - Examination and Award of the Degree
• Thesis examination
• Re-examination
• Part L - Examiner's Report
• Part M - Award of the Degree
• Section 4 - Procedures
• Section 5 - Guidelines

Section 1 - Purpose and Context

(1) This rule may be cited as the 'Masters (Honours) Rule' or 'M (Hons) Rule'

(2) [Note: Masters (Honours) is defined as greater than 67% of the study being undertaken by way of independent research.]

(3) The Degree of Masters (Honours) may be conferred by the Board of Trustees on a candidate who has to the satisfaction of the UWS Senate complied with the requirements of this rule. The Masters (Honours) degree is aimed at the research skills development of the candidate, with particular emphasis on research methodology appropriate to the field of study. It is intended to provide candidates with the opportunity to develop their potential for research, enhance their skills of problem identification and specification, and their ability to develop and present solutions.

(4) Grievance and appeal procedures as approved by the Academic Senate may be applied to matters under this rule.

Section 2 - Definitions

(5) In these rules:

1. The 'University' means the University of Western Sydney
2. The 'Academic Senate' means the Academic Senate of the University
3. The 'Research Studies Committee' means the UWS Research Studies Committee (however styled) constituted under the terms of reference pertaining to research student matters determined by the Academic Senate
4. The 'College' means the College (however styled) within which the candidate is studying

Section 3 - Policy Statement

Part A - Admission

(6) An applicant for admission to candidature for the degree of Masters (Honours) shall be qualified for admission in this university based on:

1. A Bachelors (Honours) degree, or
2. A Bachelors degree and demonstration in an appropriate discipline or disciplines of a capacity for research deemed by the UWS Research Studies Committee to be acceptable for the purpose of proceeding to the degree, or
3. Qualifications from a university or other tertiary institution deemed by the UWS Research Studies Committee to be equivalent to the requirements set out above.

(7) Notwithstanding the provisions of clause 6 the UWS Research Studies Committee may require an applicant to demonstrate fitness for admission to candidature by satisfactorily carrying out such work and/or sitting for such examinations as the Research Studies Committee may determine in consultation with the relevant College Associate Dean Research.

(8) In exceptional circumstances, an applicant, who does not have the academic qualifications specified in clause 6 may be admitted to candidature for the degree if the applicant submits evidence of such academic and professional attainment, and demonstrates in an appropriate discipline a capacity for research, deemed by the Research Studies Committee to be acceptable for the purpose of proceeding to the degree. Where a College recommends such an action it shall provide the Research Studies Committee with evidence of the applicants understanding of and skill in use of a suitable research methodology and evidence of their ability to undertake academic writing.

(9) An applicant shall not be admitted to candidature for the degree unless the College Associate Dean Research has reported to the UWS Research Studies Committee that adequate supervision and facilities are available.

(10) An applicant who does not meet the admission criteria above may be required to undertake a Graduate Certificate in Research Studies before proceeding to a research masters program.

(11) The UWS Research Studies Committee may admit an applicant on a probationary basis for a period not exceeding twelve months.

(12) Upon completion of this probationary period the UWS Research Studies Committee shall review the candidate's status and determine to confirm or terminate the candidature. Where after such a review the candidate's status is confirmed, the candidature will be deemed to have commenced from the date of probationary admission.

(13) On recommendation from the College Associate Dean Research, the UWS Research Studies Committee shall approve the thesis topic and appoint a supervisory panel normally comprising a Principal Supervisor and other member(s) as recommended (the qualifications and postgraduate supervision experience of the panel members shall be provided). The Principal Supervisor shall normally hold qualifications at least at the level of the award for which the candidate is admitted and be a non casual member of staff. Where the College recommends a Principal Supervisor who does not have a qualification at the level least which the applicant wishes to enrol, the College will provide evidence of the research profile of the nominee and it is expected that such a nominee will hold the position of Professor or Associate Professor.

(14) The Principal Supervisor will hold current registration on the Graduate Supervisors Register and will not normally have a load greater than the equivalent of three full time research students as Principal Supervisor. The Research Studies Committee may approve a greater load than three full time students in circumstances such as where the Principal Supervisor is a research only appointee.

(15) A full-time candidate will not normally be permitted to be enrolled in any other academic program.

Part B - Candidature

Mode of Candidature

(16) A candidate for the degree shall be designated by the UWS Research Studies Committee, on the recommendation of the College Associate Dean Research in which the candidate is registered, as full-time or part-time.

(17) A full-time candidate might be expected to spend throughout the year approximately 35 hours a week on the program of research and advanced study and attend the University for consultation as required by the Principal Supervisor.

(18) A part-time candidate might be expected to spend throughout the year approximately 20 hours a week on the program of research and advanced study and attend the University for consultation as required by the Principal Supervisor.

(19) A candidate is expected to establish and maintain registration in the University by completing the requirements for initial enrolment and annual re-enrolment. Students are responsible for ensuring that the University Office of the Academic Registrar is advised of any changes to their personal and contact details during the period of their enrolment and examination. Except when the candidate is on approved leave, failure to re-enrol will lead to the candidate being deemed to have abandoned the course.

Period of Candidature

(20) The minimum period of candidature for a degree of Masters (Honours) shall be one year full-time or part-time equivalent.

(21) The maximum period of candidature shall be two years full-time or part-time equivalent.

(22) The UWS Research Studies Committee may, in exceptional circumstances, vary the period of candidature.

Variation to the Period of Candidature:

Early Submission for Examination

(23) Candidates who wish to submit for examination before the minimum period of candidature should apply in writing to the Research Studies Committee with the support of their Supervisory Panel and College. The Research Studies Committee will seek evidence that no purpose would be served by continuing the candidature in terms of academic readiness of the work.

Extension of Candidature

(24) Applications for extension beyond maximum time may be considered by the Research Studies Committee where there is clear evidence that there may have been delays beyond the control of the candidate.

(25) It is the responsibility of the both the student and supervisor to ensure timely completion. Extensions may be granted for a maximum period of one session

(26) Candidates are considered to have completed study when they have lodged an exam ready thesis and a fully endorsed Thesis Lodgement Form with the Office of Academic Registrar.

Academic Progress and Review of Candidature

(27) College Associate Deans Research may approve changes to the supervisory panel or thesis topic during the period of candidature. Changes to thesis topic may not be of a nature that would require substantial reworking or abandonment of work already accomplished in the candidature.

(28) Candidates must complete a Measures of Achievement with their Supervisory Panel within the first six months of enrolment.

(29) Candidates must successfully complete a formal Confirmation of Candidature within 12 months of commencement of candidature. Full time candidates will normally complete the Confirmation of Candidature within six months.

(30) Failure to successfully undertake a Confirmation of Candidature may lead to termination of candidature. In such cases the College Research Committee will make a recommendation to the Research Studies Committee with a full explanation of why the recommendation has been made. The Research Studies Committee will make a determination regarding continuation or termination of the candidature.

(31) The student will have the right of appeal under the Appeals and Appeals Procedures under Higher Degree Rules policy in respect of decisions made by the Research Studies Committee under this clause.

(32) Candidates must attend and participate in those student activities organised required by the Associate Dean Research.

Part C - Research Misconduct for Research Students

(33) UWS has an expectation that all research will be conducted within the terms of international best practice. All research candidates are expected to adhere to the UWS Code of Research Practice.

(34) Misconduct in research includes:

1. the fabrication of data: claiming results where none have been obtained;
2. the falsification of data, including changing records;
3. misleading ascription of authorship including the listing of authors without their permission, attributing work to others who have not in fact contributed to the research, and the lack of appropriate acknowledgment of work primarily produced by a research student/trainee or associate. It does not include honest errors or honest differences in interpretation or judgements of data;
4. deliberate inclusion of inaccurate or misleading information relating to research activity and publications in: curriculum vitae, grant applications, job applications or public statements; or the failure to provide relevant information;
5. other practices that seriously deviate from those commonly accepted within the research community for proposing, conducting or reporting research;
6. departure from approved protocols in relation to human or animal experimentation or the handling of hazardous materials, where misconduct does not include honest errors or honest differences in interpretation or judgements of data;
7. intentional infringements of this Research Code of Practice.

(35) Examples of research misconduct include but are not limited to the following:

1. Misappropriation: A researcher or reviewer shall not intentionally or recklessly
   1. plagiarize, which shall be understood to mean the presentation of the documented words or ideas of another as his or her own, without attribution appropriate for the medium of presentation;
   2. make use of any information in breach of any duty of confidentiality associated with the review of any manuscript or grant application;
   3. intentionally omit reference to the relevant published work of others for the purpose of inferring personal discovery of new information.
2. Interference: A researcher or reviewer shall not intentionally and without authorization take or sequester or materially damage any research-related property of another, including without limitation the apparatus, reagents, biological materials, writings, data, hardware, software, or any other substance or device used or produced in the conduct of research.
3. Misrepresentation: A researcher or reviewer shall not with intent to deceive, or in reckless disregard for the truth
   1. state or present a material or significant falsehood, or
   2. omit a fact so that what is stated or presented as a whole states or presents a material or significant falsehood.

(36) Disciplinary action should not be used precipitately. Supervisors shall make reasonable efforts to resolve allegations of research misconduct informally, with the expectation that, in many cases, situations will be resolved with appropriate guidance, counselling, conciliation, or other appropriate action.

(37) The Research Student Misconduct in Research Policy shall apply to all allegations of misconduct in research.

(38) All allegations of misconduct in research on the part of a PhD student shall be directed to the Dean of Research Studies.

Part D - Advanced Study

(39) A candidate for the degree shall follow a program of advanced study and research approved by the College Associate Dean Research. Such a program shall include the presentation of a thesis embodying the results of the candidate's work.

(40) In exceptional cases, work done conjointly with other persons may be accepted, provided that the UWS Research Studies Committee is satisfied as to the candidate's part in the conjoint research.

(41) An approved program of advanced study and research shall be supervised by a Supervisory Panel appointed by the UWS Research Studies Committee in the first instance.

Part E - Ethics Committee Approval

(42) Research topics involving human participants or animal subjects or the use of micro-organisms of Risk group 2 or higher, whole micro-organisms, in vivo use of imported biological products, specimens of human origin (including blood products), recombinant DNA and ionising radiation sources require approval of the relevant UWS Ethics Committee.

(43) See http://www.uws.edu.au/about/adminorg/devint/ors/degrees/current/researchethics

Part F - Annual Reports

(44) Every candidate shall submit an annual progress report form the second year of enrolment which shall be accompanied by a report from the candidate's Supervisory Panel.

(45) The annual reports will be reviewed by the Research Studies Committee in consultation with the College and Associate Deans, Research. The outcomes of the review may include intervention in individual candidatures and broad policy directions. Students may seek a review of their annual report form the College Associate Dean, Research.

(46) If the Research Studies Committee, on the recommendation of the College Associate Dean Research concerned, is of the opinion that the annual report reveals seriously unsatisfactory progress towards the degree, that Committee may terminate the candidature or take such other action as it considers appropriate. A candidate may appeal to the Academic Senate against any decision under this clause. Students will be provided with the contact details for the PAUWS student advocate on their campus of enrolment so that they can seek advocacy and support, should they wish to do so.

Part G - Termination of Candidature

(47) Candidature may be terminated for failure to make academic progress during the period of candidature, and for academic misconduct as described under the UWS Guidelines for Responsible Practice in Research.

(48) Supervisors should seek to resolve the problem through informal dispute resolution pathways before taking steps to initiate a termination of candidature. Informal measures include discussions within the School/Centre or College with key staff such as School/Centre Co-ordinators, College Associate Deans Research and other staff members. Students and or staff may invoke the UWS Grievance Policy. Students will be provided with the contact details for the PAUWS student advocate on their campus of enrolment so that they can seek advocacy and support, should they wish to do so.

(49) If the Principal Supervisor is at any time of the opinion that the candidate is not making satisfactory progress, the Principal Supervisor, in consultation with the Supervisory Panel, shall recommend to the College Associate Dean Research that the candidate be invited to "show cause" why the candidature should not be terminated. Students will be provided with the contact details for the PAUWS student advocate on their campus of enrolment so that they can seek advocacy and support, should they wish to do so.

(50) The College Associate Dean Research will bring a recommendation to the Research Studies Committee, which will also consider the "show cause" why the candidature should not be terminated. The student will have the right of appeal under the Appeals and Appeals Procedure under the Higher Degrees Rules policy in respect of decisions made by the Research Studies Committee under this clause. Students will be provide with contact details for the PAUWS student advocate on their campus of enrolment so that they can seek advocacy and support, should they wish to do so.

Part H - Leave of Absence

(51) In special cases, the College Research Studies Committee may grant leave of absence. The period of such leave shall not be counted as part of the period of candidature for the degree. The maximum amount of leave will normally be two sessions in any one candidature.

(52) As a general guide, valid reasons for leave of absence are any unexpected events that are outside a candidate's control to prevent or overcome. It must be sufficiently grave in nature or duration to have caused significant disruption to a candidate's capacity to study effectively. Circumstances may include: serious medical reasons, family/personal reasons or employment-related reasons, such as substantial change to routine employment arrangements or status.

(53) On resuming candidature after leave of absence a candidate shall be enrolled for not less than one session before being permitted to submit a thesis. Candidature time is suspended during formal periods of absence and the candidates' maximum time for submission will be extended by the duration of the period of leave.

Part I - Transfer

(54) On admission of a candidate who has been undertaking higher degree study in another institution, the UWS Research Studies Committee shall determine what part of the period of previous higher degree study shall count as part of the period of candidature for the degree of Masters (Honours).

(55) The UWS Research Studies Committee may permit a candidate to transfer candidature to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.

(56) In cases of transfer the period of candidature undertaken in the research masters will count towards the available time for the doctoral enrolment. Applicants for an upgrade should consult the guidelines found at: http://www.uws.edu.au/about/adminorg/devint/ors/degrees/current/upgrade

Part J - The Thesis

(57) The candidate's thesis must be the candidate's own account of the work undertaken. The thesis may consist of a single written work or a combination of a written work with work in other media (exhibition, performance, novel, film, video, computer program, etc.). The language of expression and analysis must be English and reach a satisfactory standard of literary presentation. Candidates in Modern Languages may submit a thesis in a language other than English with the approval of the UWS Research Studies Committee.

(58) A candidate may not submit as the main content of the thesis any work or material which has been previously submitted for any degree, but may incorporate work or material in the thesis if the candidate specifies the work or material which has been so incorporated and if it doe not form part of the main content of the thesis.

(59) Before a candidate may submit a thesis, the Supervisory Panel must be satisfied that the thesis meets the prescribed format and presentation and a certificate to this effect signed by the Panel shall accompany the thesis when it is submitted.

(60) If the Supervisory Panel does not so certify, the candidate may refer the matter of submission of the thesis for examination to the College Research Studies Committee for determination of whether examination of the thesis can proceed. If examination has been refused because the thesis does not meet the prescribed format and presentation, referred to in 59, the examination will not proceed. The College Research Committee may refer the matter to the UWS Research Studies Committee for a determination if the College is unable to reach agreement. If the examination is refused the student will be asked to remain enrolled and to take advice on further work from their Principal Supervisor.

(61) UWS does not prescribe a word limit and students should seek the advice of the supervisory panel. However, eighty thousand words is considered the upper limit for research masters. Most disciplines have a general expectation of a minimum of forty thousand words for a research masters.

(62) A candidate shall submit to the Academic Registrar four copies of the written component of the thesis prepared in a form approved by the Research Studies Committee, and include a 200 word summary and a certificate signed by the candidate to the effect that the work has not been submitted for a higher degree to any other institution. The candidate shall also indicate in the thesis the sources of information and the extent to which the candidate has used the work of others.

(63) Any component(s) of the thesis in other media shall be submitted in a form approved by the Research Studies Committee. The Research Studies Committee will seek advice form the relevant College on any non print text based component of the submission for examination.

(64) All copies of the thesis presented for examination will be returned to the candidate. Examiners will be requested to return their copies unless they specifically request to keep their copy and the candidate agrees.

(65) On successful completion of the degree, a candidate must submit to the Academic Registrar one digitised (CD or disc in PDF format) copy of the thesis incorporating all amendments and/or rewriting that was required as an outcome of the examination. Detailed advice on format of the digital copy can be found at http://www.library.unsw.edu.au/thesis/adt-ADT/info/filename.html

(66) A copy of the thesis deposited in the University Library will be available for consultation, loan and photocopying forthwith unless the Research Studies Committee, on the application of the candidate and on the recommendation of the College Associate Dean Research, determines in exceptional cases that it will not be available until after the expiry of a period, which shall not normally exceed one year. Digitised theses are available electronically. Students who need to restrict access for commercial purposes should indicate this information on the right of access form.

Part K - Examination and Award of the Degree

Thesis examination

(67) On the recommendation of the Principal Supervisor the College Associate Dean shall appoint two (2) examiners of the thesis. No person may be appointed as an examiner who has been a member of the Supervisory Panel for that candidate.

(68) An external examiner is a person who is not employed as a member of the staff of the University of Western Sydney at the time when invited to examine the thesis.

(69) There will not normally be more than examiner from any one institution.

(70) Examiners will hold qualifications at the level of or the equivalent to that which they are examining and be recognised academic leaders in their discipline

(71) Students may advise their Principal Supervisor if there is a particular person in their field who they would prefer not to have as an examiner. They may also inform the Principal Supervisor of people that they would particularly like to have as an examiner. However the final recommendation will be made by the Supervisory Panel. Students will not be informed of the composition of their examining panel at the time of examination. Students may eventually learn the identity of an examiner, if the examiner agrees to their name being disclosed on the thesis report. Examiners may request that their identity not be disclosed.

(72) Examiners will be asked to assess the work on the basis that:

1. the thesis as a whole makes an original contribution to the knowledge of the subject with which it deals at research masters level
2. the thesis provides a sufficiently comprehensive study of the topic appropriate to the degree in the discipline area, or in related interdisciplinary areas
3. the methods adopted are appropriate to the subject matter and are appropriately applied
4. the research findings are suitably set out, accompanied by adequate exposition and are discussed critically in the context of the discipline
5. the quality of English and general presentation is satisfactory.

(73) Each examiner shall report in writing to the Registrar within six weeks of the date of posting of the thesis. Examiners may be replaced if a report is not received within two months unless the examiner is given leave to report late.

(74) Upon consideration of the thesis each examiner shall report in writing to the Registrar, recommending one of the following:

1. A - the degree be awarded.
2. M - the degree be awarded, subject to minor editorial amendments (as identified by the examiners) to the satisfaction of the Supervisory Panel and the College Associate Dean Research.
3. R - the candidate be required to undertake rewriting (as identified by the examiners) to the satisfaction of the Supervisory Panel and the College Associate Dean Research before the degree is awarded.
4. X - the candidate be required to revise and resubmit for further examination within a specified time.
5. F - the degree not be awarded.

(75) The examiners may in addition submit a conjoint report if they wish. The decision to permit a conjoint report will be made by the College Associate Dean Research, in consultation with the Supervisory Panel. The UWS Research Studies Committee may also request an additional report from the supervisor.

(76) The examiners reports will be sent by the College Associate Dean to the Principal Supervisor for comment and advice. The Principal Supervisor will prepare a written report for the College Associate Dean Research that will recommend an initial outcome and list in detail any recommended changes to the thesis.

(77) Where the examiners present recommendations of A, M or R the College Associate Dean Research may approve the initial examination outcome and report its finding to the Research Studies Committee. The Office of the Academic Registrar will advise the student of the College Studies Committee decision.

(78) Where one or more examiners recommends rewriting and re-examination or fail, (X or F), the College Associate Dean Research will seek the advice of the supervisory panel and refer the matter to the Research Studies Committee.

(79) The Research Studies Committee may specify the time within which any additional work shall be completed. Normally all corrections will be made within one session of the student being advised to make changes or rewrite for re-examination.

(80) Principal Supervisors must advise the Office of Academic Registrar if a student who is re-writing will need to access to the library and other facilities.

(81) The Research Studies Committee will consider the College report and the Office of the Academic Registrar will advise the student of the Research Studies Committee decision.

(82) Examination outcomes remain confidential until a final recommendation is decided.

(83) In certain circumstances where the outcome is not clear, before making any determination the Research Studies Committee may take one or more of the following actions:

1. appoint an additional examiner
2. appoint an arbiter
3. invite the examiners to confer with each other and/or with the Research Studies Committee with a view to the presentation of a consolidated recommendation
4. direct that the candidate undertake such further examinations either oral, written or practical as the Research Studies Committee may specify.

Re-examination

(84) Option X shall be available only for initial examination of the thesis.

(85) A re-examination will be conducted in the basis of specific advice given to the candidate on what must be achieved in rewriting.

(86) The specific instructions to the student for rewriting for re-examination will be approved by the Research Studies Committee.

(87) The rewriting instructions will be written by the Supervisory Panel and endorsed by the College Associate Dean, Research.

(88) These instructions will be provided to the examiner for the re-examination as they will form the basis of the second examination.

(89) No new criticisms may be introduced by the examiner in the second examination

(90) The examiner(s) who recommended that the thesis be re-examined shall be invited to undertake the re-examination.

(91) The rewritten thesis will be presented for the second examination with a thesis lodgement form.

Part L - Examiner's Report

(92) Candidates will be given a copy of each examiner's report upon request, at the completion of the examination process. Each report will include the name of the examiner unless he/she requests, in writing, that his/her name be withheld.

Part M - Award of the Degree

(93) When the Research Studies Committee is satisfied that all requirements have been met, it shall recommend to the Academic Senate that the degree be awarded.

Section 4 - Procedures

(94) Nil.

Section 5 - Guidelines

(95) Nil.