Doctor of Philosophy–PhD 360 points Qualification regulations

1. Before enrolment, a candidate for the PhD degree shall:

(a) have completed a Bachelor’s degree with Honours or a Master’s degree at a New Zealand university, with an overall GPA of no less than 6 (letter grade B+); or

(b) be currently enrolled in a Master’s thesis at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington and meet the requirements for conversion to a PhD (refer to the PhD Procedures); or

(c) produce evidence to the satisfaction of the Dean, Wellington Faculty of Graduate Research (FGR), of adequate training and ability to proceed with the proposed course for the degree.

2. Candidates must qualify for entry and be accepted by the head of school and the relevant Associate Dean (PGR).

3. Where a candidate qualifies for entry under 1(b) above, the candidate will be deemed to have been provisionally registered for the PhD from the date of first enrolment for the Master’s thesis.

4. The course of study for a PhD consists of a programme of research and the completion of a thesis carried out under supervision as set out in the Doctoral Regulations.

5. The research will normally be conducted at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.

6. The thesis must be a body of work that demonstrates the candidate’s ability to carry out independent research, and constitutes a significant and original contribution to knowledge or understanding. This contribution may include critical, experimental, theoretical, or creative components, but the end result must be a single integrated study.

7. The work for the thesis must not have been submitted for another qualification at this or any other university. 

Enrolment and registration

8. A candidate must be continuously enrolled until the completed thesis is lodged in the University Library, unless they withdraw from the qualification, or have their enrolment terminated by the University, or fail the qualification.

9. A candidate shall in the first instance be provisionally registered for the degree.

(a) Full registration is gained by demonstrating satisfactory progress during the provisional period, and meeting criteria as set out in the Doctoral Regulations.

(b) Up to 60 points of coursework may be required as part of the PhD and any coursework undertaken must normally be completed within the period of provisional registration.

(c) When full registration is confirmed, the period of provisional registration is counted as part of the minimum and maximum periods as defined in section 10 below.

10. Except with the permission of the Dean (FGR), the minimum and maximum periods from the time of first enrolment (excluding any approved period(s) of suspension) until submission of a PhD thesis for examination shall be as follows:

(a) A full-time candidate shall be enrolled for a minimum of 36 months.

(b) A full-time candidate may be enrolled for a maximum of 48 months.

(c) For a candidate permitted to enrol part time for part, or all, of their programme, the minimum and maximum periods shall be calculated on a pro rata basis.

11. On application from a candidate, the Associate Dean (PGR) may approve a suspension of registration, for a period of not less than one month. During a student’s candidature, the total period of suspension shall not usually exceed 12 months. During a suspension the candidate will pay no tuition fees.

12. Extensions to the maximum period prior to submission of the thesis may be granted by the Dean (FGR) and shall not usually exceed 12 months. Consideration of extensions shall take account of the candidate’s personal circumstances and the nature of the research project and consent shall neither be unreasonably withheld nor given without good cause. All calculations will exclude any periods of approved suspension.

13. A candidate’s enrolment may be terminated if they fail to make satisfactory progress or if they do not fulfil the requirements of the examination process.

14. Enrolment for the PhD degree may be converted to an enrolment in a Master’s degree.

Note: refer to Doctoral Regulations: for PhD and other Doctorates with Theses, and procedures.

Examination

15. The examination for the PhD degree will comprise an examination of the thesis and an oral defence of the thesis as set out in the Doctoral Regulations. Examination 15. The examination for the PhD degree will comprise an examination of the thesis and an oral defence of the thesis as set out in the Doctoral Regulations.