Melbourne School of Health SciencesNursing

Confirmation of PhD candidature

Following twelve months of probationary candidature, a student applies for confirmation of candidature. (PhD Handbook)

The candidate will receive notification from the School of Graduate Studies when confirmation is due. The candidate should discuss this event well in advance with their supervisor(s).

Nursing requires its PhD students to:

  • Complete the paperwork required by the School for Graduate Studies PLUS
  • Submit work in progress to the minimum of 5000 words, or a substantial piece of scholarly work, such as a published paper, PLUS
  • Deliver a School Seminar attended by the confirmation Panel prior to the confirmation Panel meeting


The process

  1. Once the date for confirmation is determined, the candidate will be advised in writing by the Chair of Higher Degrees as to the membership of the Panel. The Panel will consist of the Head of School (or delegate), Chair of Higher Degrees Committee (or delegate), the Principal Supervisor, plus at least one other member to be decided by the Chair of Higher Degrees Committee in consultation with the Principal Supervisor.

  2. The candidate must submit the above documentation (preferably electronically) to the Chair of Higher Degrees Committee two weeks before the Panel meeting.

  3. Panel members will provide written feedback to the student one week prior to the Panel meeting.

  4. The candidate will present their work to Nursing's staff and student community during this two-week period, prior to the Panel meeting, Panel members will attend the seminar.

Following confirmation the candidate will be advised as to whether the confirmation of their candidature is to be recommended to the Higher Degrees Committee of the School of Graduate Studies, whether it will be recommended that their probationary period be extended for up to three months, or if their candidature is to be terminated.

Advice from the Panel will be given in writing to the candidate and their supervisor. It is expected that the candidate will address the issues and recommendations raised by the Panel.


The School Seminar

General advice on how to structure the School Seminar can be found in the Department of Management and Marketing’s Handy Hints for the PhD Confirmation Seminar.

(Thank you to Ms Wendy Short from the Department of Management and Marketing, The University of Melbourne, for providing Nursing with permission to link to this document.)

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