The University of Queensland recognises that some candidates may have already completed work towards their research project before commencing their candidature at the University. GAR 4.14.1 states that "the thesis must demonstrate the outcome of a sustained program of supervised research that has produced original findings, and constitutes a coherent and cogent argument communicating the significant aspects of research and writing undertaken while enrolled". As such, candidates may be given credit for studies undertaken towards another research higher degree, provided that the work:

• was done after the candidate was qualified for entry to their current program at UQ;
• has not been counted towards a completed award, at UQ or elsewhere;
• was conducted with adequate advisory oversight at an acceptable institution; and
• is of a nature and quality appropriate to the current program at UQ.

Credit for appropriate previous research studies reduces the required period of enrolment at the University of Queensland by the equivalent amount of time spent in the other program. In effect, the candidate commenced their candidature prior to enrolling at The University of Queensland.

The standard required period of enrolment is 3 years full-time equivalent (FTE) for the PhD program, and 1 year FTE for the MPhil program. Previous research studies within The University of Queensland can reduce the required period of enrolment to 0 days. However, previous research studies at another university cannot reduce the required period of enrolment to less than six months for the MPhil or 12 months for the PhD.

Candidates must obtain the written support of their advisory team and enrolling school/institute to submit their thesis for assessment before the required period of enrolment has elapsed. After the required period has elapsed, however, candidates can seek permission from the Dean of the UQ Graduate School to submit their thesis without their principal advisor's support.

Candidates can include publications in their thesis, so long as the work that led to that publication was carried out under the conditions given above. Conversely, work published, accepted for publication, or submitted for publication prior to meeting these conditions cannot be included in the thesis. When trying to determine whether or not previously published work can be included in the thesis, key issues include:

• Was the research work supervised in a manner consistent with the University's advisory policies? If no, then it can't be included.
• Did the research work that led to the publication contribute, in part or in whole, to the candidate being awarded a degree? If yes, then it can't be included.
• Is the research work part of the candidate's basis of admission to candidature at the University? If yes, then it can't be included.
• Is the research work considered to be of PhD (or MPhil, if appropriate) standard? If no, then it can't be included.

If there is still any uncertainty or ambiguity about the appropriateness of including the previously published work in the thesis, please request formal advice from the Research  Higher Degrees Unit.

Any publications that cannot be included can still be listed in the "Additional Publications by the Candidate Relevant to the Thesis but not Forming Part of it" section of the thesis.