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PROGRESS REVIEW
for PhD/Doctoral candidates
Candidate to complete this form with their supervisors and advisory committee, see page 2 for detailed information.
Submit completed form with all attachments to your faculty/graduate school student centre before the due date.
Is this form complete? Use this quick checklist:
 All signatures, including head of department (p. 6 or p. 7)  Candidate signed Enrolment Declaration (p. 8)
 Written report stapled to form, timeline included (refer p. 2)  Retain a copy of completed form for future reference
If any personal (address or phone) or enrolment details are incorrect please update via the Student Portal. Update FoR codes below on this form.
Personal details
Name
Student number
Term address

Phone number
Enrolment details
Course
Thesis title

Field of Research codes 1-

2-
3-
4-
Please record up to four FoR codes (six digit) in rank order if blank. For a comprehensive list refer: http://mro.unimelb.edu.au/content/fields-research

Load (full or part-time)

Department\School Responsibility split (%)

Supervisors and advisory committee members

Name Role Supervisory split (%)

Key dates
Commencement date
Date this form due
Expected Thesis Submission Date
Scholarship(s) held
If candidate is within 3 months of their expected thesis submission date, please indicate which of the following applies:
A. submitting thesis prior to expected thesis submission date? B. applying for a .................. month extension? C. lapsing in good standing?
Important: Attachment A (p. 7) MUST be completed if requesting any of the above options
About the progress review process and this form
The main aims of the progress review are to:
• facilitate a discussion between the candidate and their supervisors and advisory committee
• monitor progress, highlight achievements, identify problems and set objectives for the next period
• promote self-reflection in the candidate around their personal and career development as a researcher
• enable the timely completion of the thesis.
On receipt of this form candidates should
• determine two meeting dates to meet first with their supervisors, then together with the advisory committee
• prior to the meetings prepare a written progress report, summarising progress to date that includes the following:
a. the title of the thesis and name of the candidate
b. a brief abstract (approximately 100 words) that includes a concise statement of the research question
c. a table of contents or chapter outline of the thesis along with a statement on the progress of writing for
each chapter (eg. commenced/not commenced; per cent complete)
d. a timeline or plan for the completion of the thesis, the stage reached in relation to the overall research
plan and work to be completed
Note: Items a) to d) should normally be no more than three pages
e. a record of results from any required coursework components (if applicable)
f. a list of publications (eg. peer reviewed, conference proceedings) produced or any presentations made
g. creative works (if relevant).
Candidates should check with their faculty/graduate school for any additional requirements for a progress review
At the progress review meetings
• Candidates should submit their written progress report to their supervisors and advisory committee at least five
working days prior to the scheduled progress review meetings.
• Sections 1 – 3 are to be completed by the candidate and supervisor at their meeting
• Section 4 is to be completed by the advisory committee at their meeting with the student and supervisors
• Attachment A. should only be completed if the candidate is within 3 months of their expected thesis submission
date.
Formal warning of unsatisfactory progress – under University Statute 11.4 - Unsatisfactory Progress
A formal warning of unsatisfactory progress can be requested at any time during candidature. A request for a formal
warning to be issued is made in writing, and addressed to the Chair of the Research Higher Degrees Committee
(RHDC), via the Melbourne School of Graduate Research (MSGR). Upon consideration of a request MSGR may send
notification of a formal warning of unsatisfactory progress to the candidate, along with a copy of the department’s
written request. The written request must include:
• the reasons for the recommendation
• a clear assessment of what the candidate needs to achieve within three months to demonstrate good progress
• optional: outcome if satisfactory progress is not made (eg. termination of enrolment or transfer to masters).
• A formal warning is 3 months (irrespective of full or part-time enrolment) from the date the notice is sent.
Further details and advice for an unsatisfactory progress warning including the candidate appeal process can be found
on the MSGR website http://gradresearch.unimelb.edu.au/.
Extension to candidature requests
Candidates who are not able to submit their thesis after three years may apply for up to two 6 month full-time
extensions (or equivalent part-time) to their candidature. The maximum duration the PhD and most doctoral
programs is four years full-time (or equivalent part-time). Extensions beyond the maximum are only approved in
exceptional circumstances. Any such requests should be accompanied by evidence that the candidate was prevented
from submitting their thesis by the due date due to circumstances beyond their control.
Note: Candidates should check the conditions of any scholarship/sponsorship agreement if requesting an extension.
Application to lapse in good standing
Candidates who are not able to submit their thesis and who have been enrolled for four years (or equivalent part-
time) may apply to lapse their candidature in good standing. Candidates who lapse in good standing should submit
their thesis for examination as soon as possible, normally within the first year of the lapse period.
Need help?
Candidates who are experiencing personal problems that may hinder their progress can seek confidential advice and
assistance from the University’s support services (http://services.unimelb.edu.au/finder).
For Additional Tools and Resources please refer: http://gradresearch.unimelb.edu.au/info-resources/links.html
Privacy Statement
The information on this form will be used by authorised staff for the purpose for which is was collected and will be protected
against unauthorised access and use. The University’s detailed Privacy Policy available at www.unimelb.edu.au/unisec/privacy/.
You can contact the Privacy Officer (privacy-officer@unimelb.edu.au) with any questions about how the University deals with
personal information.
Progress Review v2.6 Page 2 of 8
Section 1: Progress to date – research and career development
CANDIDATE TO COMPLETE
Please comment on progress of the research project/thesis and comment on any career development activities
undertaken during the period under review, usually the past 12 months. Progress and/or activity items are listed only
as a guide. Revise or cross-out where necessary to include more appropriate items depending on the type of research
being undertaken. Please also comment on any areas where problems or difficulties arose.
(If more room is required, please attach a separate sheet.)
Progress / activity in review period Details of achievements / difficulties
Enhanced knowledge of research area (eg.
literature review)

Conference attendance and/or field work

Conference / seminar presentations

Data collection

Data analysis

Creative works / practice (if relevant to your

discipline / project)

Collaborations (if relevant)

Thesis chapters written / planned

Other research progress

Training undertaken (eg. UpSkills workshops,

short courses)

Teaching opportunities

Writing or technical skills developed

Other career development activity

Progress Review v2.6 Page 3 of 8

Section 2: Assessing performance
SUPERVISOR TO COMPLETE AT THE CANDIDATE AND SUPERVISORS MEETING
2.1 For the period under review, has the candidate:
Strongly disagree Strongly agree
a) met the agreed research objectives set at the previous progress
1 2 3 4 5
meeting?
b) diligently and effectively applied themselves to their research? 1 2 3 4 5

c) shown initiative and intellectual engagement consistent with the

1 2 3 4 5
requirements of the research program and level of study?
d) made satisfactory progress? 1 2 3 4 5

e) conducted their research responsibly and ethically? 1 2 3 4 5

f) complied with all policies on the conduct of research? 1 2 3 4 5

2.2 If a rating of 3 or less has been circled for any of the above, please indicate measures to be taken to
improve performance below and refer to these in the next section when setting goals for the next
review period, usually 12 months.

Candidate to add comment:

2.3 Frequency of meetings

2.3.1 How frequently have meetings with supervisors been held during the period under review?

2.3.2 How frequently have advisory committee meetings been held during the period under review?

Date of last advisory committee meeting:

2.3.3 Is the principal supervisor expected to be absent for two or more months in the coming year?
 Yes  No  N/A
If yes, please state the arrangement to ensure continuity of supervision for the candidate.

2.4. Study away

2.4.1 Does the candidate have any local or overseas travel planned for their research in the next 12
months?  Yes  No
If yes, please indicate what travel funding (if any) has been secured or will be applied for.

Progress Review v2.6 Page 4 of 8

Section 3: Future plans – research and career development
ALL PRESENT TO COMPLETE AT THE CANDIDATE AND SUPERVISORS MEETING
Agreed research and career development goals, and compliance management for the next review period,
usually 12 months. (If more room required, please attach a separate sheet.)
3.1 Date supervisors meeting held:

Issue Actions / facilities and support required?

Intended hours per week devoted to research, any
RESEARCH GOALS

planned recreation leave or employment

commitments

Intended frequency of supervisory meetings and

next advisory committee meeting

Skills and training needed for research

Skills and training needed for thesis writing

Other research goal

Other research goal

Intended career development (eg. training,

CAREER DEVELOPMENT

teaching, conferences, short courses, etc.)

Other career development goal

Intellectual Property (IP) issues to be resolved (eg.

COMPLIANCE MANAGEMENT

research sponsored by third party)

Do human and/or animal ethics applications need

to be approved or updated?

Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) and

Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) plans

Data collection and management considerations

Access to required University infrastructure (eg.

shared or individual desk, IT facilities)

Progress Review v2.6 Page 5 of 8

Section 4: Advisory committee review – assessing progress
CHAIR OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO COMPLETE AT THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
4.1 Date advisory committee meeting held:

4.2 Please provide general comments on the candidate’s progress report and other issues raised in this
form and in the advisory committee meeting.

4.3 Have the supervisors and the candidate separately been given the opportunity to raise any issues or
concerns confidentially with members of the advisory committee?  Yes  No
4.4 In the committee’s opinion, is the candidate at risk of making unsatisfactory progress?
 Yes
(Note: for a recommendation of a formal warning of unsatisfactory progress use 4.6.)  No
4.5 If the candidate is deemed to be at risk of making unsatisfactory progress, please indicate further
steps to be taken. (A progress plan that includes an assessment of what would need to be achieved, by a
reasonable deadline, in order to demonstrate satisfactory progress should be discussed with the candidate
and may be attached to this form separately.)

Proposed date of next meeting to assess progress:

4.6. Formal warning of unsatisfactory progress

If a rating of 2 or less has been circled at item 2.1 (d), is a formal warning of unsatisfactory progress
to be issued?  Yes  No
If the answer is yes, refer to page 2. of this form for instructions on initiating formal unsatisfactory progress
proceedings.

Is candidate within 3 months of their expected thesis submission date as listed on the front page?
 Yes, please strike through signature space below and proceed to Attachment A (p. 7)
 No, please sign below. Omit Attachment A. Candidate to sign Enrolment Declaration (p. 8)
Supervisors and advisory committee members to sign: (Please make sure that the FoR codes on p. 1 are up-to-date).
Please print name Date
1. (Chair)

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

Candidate to sign: (please read all comments/attachments and sign Enrolment Declaration p. 8) Date

Head of department (or nominee) to sign: Date

Progress Review v2.6 Page 6 of 8

Attachment A: Completion Report
CANDIDATE AND SUPERVISORS TO COMPLETE A1 – A2
Is candidate within 3 months of their expected thesis submission date as listed on the front page?
 Yes, please complete sections A1 – A3 and sign below.
 No, please ignore this page. Candidate must sign Enrolment Declaration (p. 8)
Important: If the candidate is planning to submit their thesis for examination in the next 3 months and has not already
submitted their 80-word summary go to: http://thesis.msgr.unimelb.edu.au/eforms/thesissubmission/.
A1 Completion seminar
A1.1 Has a completion seminar been held?
 Yes Date and location of seminar:
 No Scheduled date of seminar:
A2 Submission date and extension requests
A2.1 Will the thesis be submitted by the due date listed on page 1. of this form?  Yes  No
A2.2 If no, please indicate reasons for non-completion by the due date, and what steps will be taken to
submit in a timely manner.

A2.3 Do you wish to apply for an extension to candidature?  Yes  No

Minimum extension 1 month, maximum extension 6 months full-time (FT) or 12 months part-time (PT).

From: To: Duration: (FT/ PT) Please circle

A2.4 (If applicable) if you wish to apply for an extension to a scholarship, please go to
http://services.unimelb.edu.au/scholarships/research/current/extensions to find out if you are
eligible for an extension and how to apply.
A2.5 Has the candidate completed 4 years full-time (or equivalent part-time) and wishes to apply to
lapse their candidature in good standing?  Yes  No
ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO COMPLETE A3 BELOW
A3 Endorsement of extension requests
A3.1 (If applicable) Do you endorse the request for an extension to candidature?  Yes  No
A3.2 (If applicable) Do you endorse the request to lapse candidature in good standing?  Yes  No

Supervisors and advisory committee members to sign: (Please make sure that the FoR codes on p. 1 are up-to-date).
Please print name Date
1. (Chair)

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

Candidate to sign: (please read all comments/attachments and sign Enrolment Declaration p. 8) Date

Head of department (or nominee) to sign: Date

Progress Review v2.6 Page 7 of 8

Re-enrolment
CANDIDATE TO READ AND COMPLETE:
(Please note: this section must be completed in order to confirm the candidate’s current enrolment and re-enrolment
for the following calendar year.)

CANDIDATE TO SIGN
Name (please print) Signature Date

Student organisation reminder

Candidates wishing to join or update their membership of student organisations for the coming
year are advised to go to the following websites:
The Student Union (www.union.unimelb.edu.au)
Graduate Student Association (www.gsa.unimelb.edu.au)
Melbourne University Sport (www.sports.unimelb.edu.au)

Progress Review v2.6 Page 8 of 8