Research Quarters

From 1 January 2012, the UQ academic year will be divided into Research Quarters for research higher degree (RHD) students. 

Why are the Research Quarters being introduced?

Prior to the introduction of Research Quarters, international students undertaking a PhD or an MPhil at UQ were enrolled and charged on a semester-by-semester basis and their fees due dates and census dates matched those of undergraduate and postgraduate coursework students.

Unlike coursework students, UQ RHD students are able to submit an Application for Admission & Scholarship and commence candidature at any time during the year. Whilst this provides a great deal of flexibility, the date of arrival, interruption to candidature and departure of international students can have an impact on fee liability.

RHD candidates also work in a pattern similar to full-time employment (i.e. working 48 weeks out of 52 weeks each year).

Research Quarters are being introduced to:

  • reduce the pressure on international RHD students to submit their thesis prior to a semester census date to avoid an additional semester of fees, thereby reducing the risk of a thesis being submitted prematurely;
  • allow international RHD students to gain maximum advantage from the fees paid for their tuition; and
  • ensure that UQ’s enrolment and fees schemes adequately match RHD student enrolment and work patterns.

How will the Research Quarters benefit my studies?

The new model will have a number of benefits for students and enrolling units, including:
  • greater simplicity in fee structures;
  • increased flexibility, particularly in terms of commencement and thesis submission dates;
  • maximum value for money for students;
  • alignment with existing RHD scholarship rounds.

What are the Research Quarter key dates?

Please note the following key dates:
 
Research Quarter Start date of Quarter Due date for payment of charges Census date / final date to cancel without financial penalty End date of Quarter
RQ1 1 Jan 15 Jan 1 Feb 31 Mar
RQ2 1 Apr 15 Apr 1 May 30 Jun
RQ3 1 Jul 15 Jul 1 Aug 30 Sep
RQ4 1 Oct 15 Oct 1 Nov 31 Dec

What is the importance of the census date?

The census date is the date by which all of your enrolment requirements must be finalised for a period of study (e.g. a Semester or Research Quarter).  Note that the census date is different from the date that your fees are due. All fees must be paid by the “Due date for payment of charges”. Payments made after this date will incur a late fee.  For more information, see Census date.

How much will my fees be?

All international students are required to pay tuition fees while undertaking their research higher degree. The fees charged vary depending on your enrolling School/Institute and your research project.  Fee rates are listed on your letter of offer and following enrolment, the fees due each Research Quarter will display on your mySI-net Financial page. 
 
For more information see International Research Higher Degree fees.
 
Domestic students are not required to pay fees.

When will my fees be charged?

International students will be charged fees on a quarterly basis from the first quarter 2012. This provides RHD students with better value for money as they are only required to pay fees for the quarter in which they study.

How will the Research Quarters impact my scholarship commencement date?

The research quarters will align with the current scholarship rounds, which will significantly shorten the period of time between scholarship award and commencement. This will ensure RHD students awarded a scholarship will gain the maximum value of fees paid for their tuition. Research quarters, and applicable fees, will fit with the current scheme.  We recommend students commence as close as possible to the start of a research quarter to maximise the value of their scholarship.

What are the transition arrangements for commencing or continuing students?

No transition arrangements will apply for commencing and continuing fee liable candidates from 1 January 2012.
 
However, the University understands that some candidates have planned to submit their thesis in 2012 according to the semester-based due dates that have applied in 2011 and previous years. For that reason, the following transition arrangements apply.

What are the transition arrangements if I intend to submit my thesis in RQ3?

Conditions for RQ3 2012 transition tuition fee scholarships:
  • Candidates must have undertaken thesis review milestone by 30 June 2012
  • Attainment of milestone form to be submitted to Graduate School by 30 July 2012
  • Candidates are advised to upload their thesis to the UQ eSpace by 24 September 2012 in order to ensure that any issues that may arise can be rectified prior to the end of RQ3 (30 September 2012).  Note that a thesis will not be considered as fully submitted until all of the conditions outlined in http://www.uq.edu.au/grad-school/thesis-submission are met.  Those who do not upload a thesis that is considered fully submitted by the end of RQ3 will have their scholarship rescinded and become immediately fee liable for the Research Quarter.  Enrolment will also be cancelled for non-payment of fees and charges.  In this case, candidates will be prevented from enrolling in RQ4 until RQ3 fees are paid in full.

What are the transition arrangements if I intend to submit my thesis between 1 August and 31 August 2012?

UQ Tuition Fee scholarship holders will be granted a scholarship extension to the end date of Research Quarter 3 (RQ3).

Third Party Contract, sponsored or external scholarship holders will be eligible to apply for a UQ International (tuition) scholarship - "fee waiver scholarship" - for RQ3 with enrolling unit support Scholarships will be awarded through a competitive scholarship round as is required by Federal Government legislation. Further details and application deadlines will be circulated in 2012.

All other fee liable candidates will be eligible to apply for a UQ International (tuition) scholarship - "fee waiver scholarship" - RQ3 with enrolling unit support Scholarships will be awarded through a competitive scholarship round as is required by Federal Government legislation. Further details and application deadlines will be circulated in 2012.

Can I apply for a scholarship extension if I intend to submit my thesis in RQ2 or RQ4?

No. Candidates submitting in RQ2 or RQ4 will not be considered for scholarship extensions outside of the normal conditions of that scholarship.

I am a research candidate completing coursework. Are there any transition arrangements that will impact me?

No transition arrangements will be required for RHD candidates undertaking coursework as a mandatory component of their degree. In these cases, normal coursework rules will apply.

 

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