The education and training of doctoral and research masters students is one of the most important aspects of a university's activities. The pursuit of knowledge through research higher degree programs not only leads to a well-educated society and a highly trained professional work force, but also contributes significantly to the University's research and scholarship. The close relationship between research and graduate studies has been recognised by the University of Queensland in its commitment to the integration of the two areas.

The aim of the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Master of Philosophy (MPhil) programs is to provide research training in a manner that fosters the development of independent research skills in candidates. These skills include the capacity to formulate a significant problem, to develop mastery of appropriate conceptual and methodological skills, and to relate the research topic to a broader framework of knowledge in the relevant disciplinary area. The doctoral thesis provides evidence of a contribution to knowledge with a level of originality consistent with 3-4 years of full-time study and supervised research training. It also demonstrates a candidate's capacity for critical analysis and that he or she is capable of pursuing scholarly and programmatic research that answers significant questions within a 3-4 year time frame. The MPhil thesis provides evidence of original and significant research as the culmination of 1-2 years full-time study and supervised research training.

The University is committed to encouraging its suitably qualified Honours graduates to enter research higher degree programs and to attracting graduates of high quality from elsewhere in Australia and from overseas. It particularly encourages the participation of women in research higher degrees.

The increase in research higher degree activity requires us to have clear policies and guidelines about what is expected of candidates, supervisors, and heads of schools. The formal requirements for candidature are, of course, embodied in the General Award Rules, although the other advice contained on this website, which is based on Academic Board policy, decisions of the Postgraduate Studies Committee and executive decisions by the Dean, is probably a more useful source of information for most situations. For this reason this website also contains the University's policies on supervision of research higher degree students at the level of individual advisors and at the level of school management. In 1998, the University Senate approved the Postgraduate Research Student Charter. This articulates the mutual expectations of the University, postgraduate research students, supervisors and schools. It reinforces the Effective Guidance policy in emphasising that the successful outcome of a research higher degree program is achieved when all parties acknowledge and fulfil their mutual commitments to it. The General Award Rules have been included in this website, and in the event of an inconsistency between policy and the Rules, the latter take precedence.

This website aims to advise and help students to move efficiently from initial enrolment to successful submission. It also aims to provide supervising staff, heads of schools and postgraduate co-ordinators with information that will facilitate more effective supervision and more efficient management of research higher degree programs at the school level. Although the website is organised for easy reference by students, supervisors and heads of schools who may wish to consult particular requirements and expectations at various stages of candidature, the entire contents are relevant for all three groups.