Chapter 2: Research Degrees
2.5.1 External PhD
Application forms for PhD by external mode are available online at: www.mrgs.monash.edu.au/research
Where research is principally being undertaken at another research site (e.g. archives repository, field site, laboratory, commercial or governmental research station, another University etc.) the Research Graduate School Committee will need assurance by the prospective candidate's School that the site provides a research environment which offers appropriate resources, facilities and research expertise to support the particular candidature for the duration of the research program.
Candidates undertaking a doctoral program by external mode should make arrangements for an external supervisor where the research candidate is located. The external supervisor must account for the resources and facilities available on site to support the research project. External supervisors are usually experienced in guiding research projects and the Research Graduate School Committee must approve their appointment. External supervisors can only be appointed as associate supervisors, while the main supervisor must be a staff member at Monash University. All research candidates in the Faculty of Arts are normally required to have a main and an associate supervisor.
Candidates for the PhD by external mode may enrol on either a full-time or a part-time basis. In order to undertake full-time candidature, a candidate must be able to devote the equivalent of a minimum of four days a week to the pursuit of the research project; in order to undertake part-time candidature, a candidate must be able to devote the equivalent of a minimum of two days per week to the pursuit of the research project.
Where the candidate is engaged in full-time employment, the Graduate Coordinator of the School is required to certify that the School is satisfied that the candidate is able to spend the equivalent of two days a week involved in the research project.
Regular interactive communication between the external candidate and main supervisor should take place on a fortnightly basis for full-time candidates and at least once a monthe for part-time candidates via telephone, video- conference, e-mail or other interactive communication. The Research Graduate School Committee will need assurance that the candidate and supervisors are able to communicate regularly as required.
The candidate must attend all such courses, seminars, workshops and conferences (both at Monash and elsewhere), as are deemed necessary by the head of the unit through which the candidate is enrolled.
The conditions that apply to enrolment level and time available for research also apply to external candidates. In addition there is an annual five-day on-campus attendance requirement each year, or equivalent over the period of candidature.
A portion of this attendance may be off-campus, provided that the candidate is able to interact with the principal or associate (University) supervisor during this time (e.g. where candidate and supervisor(s) attend the same conference).
2.5.2 External Masters
The following research degrees offer external candidature:
Master of Arts
Master of Arts (Music Composition)
Master of Bioethics
External candidature is available to research candidates in Australia and overseas. All applicants need to demonstrate to their School and the Arts Research Graduate School that they can have regular interactive communication (for full-time candidates on a fortnightly basis and for part-time candidates on a monthly basis) with their supervisors. Interactive communication can be by telephone, videoconference, email or other means.
Note that candidates enrolled for 100% research at Monash University Malaysia cannot enrol for external candidature at this stage.
66% research candidates in all disciplines, will be required to enrol for all units in the coursework component on the Clayton campus and may then apply for transfer to external candidature.
Entry Requirements
External applicants are subject to the same entry requirements as on-campus applicants.
Facilities/Resources
External mode applicants will need to satisfy both their School and the Arts Research Graduate School that their research environment has facilities and resources suitable for the proposed research, such as library and internet access, which will enable them to carry out their proposed research program.
Attendance
Research candidates need to attend the Monash University campus, where their main supervisor is based, for 21 residential days during the period of candidature. This requirement may be filled in either one block of time or in several blocks.
Review
External candidates are subject to a review on the same conditions as on-campus candidates. See 'Review of Candidature for Masters Candidates' in this 'Research Survival Guide'.
Transfer to External Candidature
Current on-campus research candidates can change to external mode subject to fulfilling the same requirements as new research candidates.