Introduction
Overview
The University of Sydney is one of the foremost providers of quality postgraduate education in Australia. In 2010, over 16,000 students were enrolled in postgraduate courses at the University of Sydney.
The majority of postgraduate students are enrolled in master’s degrees by coursework. However it's worth nothing that in 2010, there were more than 4200 students enrolled in the postgraduate research programs on offer at the University.
This University is committed to providing high quality education to all of its students. One part of that commitment involves providing postgraduate students with useful and relevant information in a form that is easily accessible to them. This handbook is an important part of this process.
Purpose of handbook
The purpose of this handbook is to provide a convenient source of reference for research and coursework postgraduate students about the requirements for postgraduate degrees, graduate diplomas and graduate certificates within the University. It does not attempt to be comprehensive in its coverage but rather, where appropriate, to provide direction to better sources of information.
At the end of this document there are copies of, and excerpts from, formal documents which you need to be familiar with, including the University’s Code of Practice for Coursework Teaching and Learning. Other useful sources of important information are listed below.
Please note that we have not provided an exhaustive list of the policies applying to students at the University. The full set of University policies is available at Policy Online: sydney.edu.au/policy
Regulations
The University of Sydney is governed by a number of regulations. Some of the regulations that cover postgraduate study include:
- The University of Sydney (Coursework) Rule 2000 (as amended) which governs all coursework award courses in the University
- The University of Sydney (Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)) Rule 2004 which governs the University’s Doctor of Philosophy degree (this rule should be read in conjunction with the Academic Board resolutions regarding the Doctor of Philosophy).
These rules, and others such as the University of Sydney (Amendment Act) Rule 1999 (as amended), provide the framework for all courses at the University. For information regarding specific courses (other than the Doctor of Philosophy), students should refer to the faculty and Senate resolutions for each course, which are published in the relevant faculty handbook.
The University of Sydney (Coursework) Rule 2000 (as amended) applies to all candidates for coursework degrees, diplomas and certificates who commence candidature after 1 January 2001.
Candidates who commenced candidature prior to this date may choose to proceed in accordance with the resolutions of the Senate in force at the time they enrolled, except that the faculty may determine specific conditions for any student who has re-enrolled in an award course after a period of suspension.
During 2010, faculties continued revising Senate and faculty resolutions relating to their postgraduate courses pursuant to this Rule.
Other regulations made by the Senate and the Academic Board which govern all the degrees, diplomas and certificates within the University are published in the University’s Calendar, available online at: sydney.edu.au/calendar
Faculty and college handbooks
There are often more detailed faculty resolutions for postgraduate degrees, diplomas and certificates. These are published in the relevant faculty or college handbooks.
Extracts relevant to the course you are undertaking will usually be provided with your offer of admission letter, or can be obtained from your faculty, college or board of studies office.
Reference is made in this handbook to the more general rather than the course-specific aspects of these regulations. The handbooks are available online at: sydney.edu.au/handbooks
Sydney University Postgraduate Representative Association (SUPRA)
SUPRA is the student-run advocacy and representative association for all postgraduate students at the University of Sydney. It provides advice, advocacy and support services for the Sydney University postgraduate student community.
SUPRA offers a free, confidential, independent, and professional advocacy service, with Student Advice and Advocacy Officers (SAAOs) employed by the Association to assist postgraduate students with academic, welfare, employment, housing, and personal issues.
SAAOs can provide support for academic appeals, Show Cause and exclusion matters, problems with research supervision, issues of tenancy and employment, assistance negotiating with Centrelink, and referrals to counselling or health services, and many other academic and personal issues.
Subscribers can also access free legal advice, representation, and referral at the SUPRA Offices.
SUPRA also has a Resource Room available for postgraduate students with computers, internet access, free tea and coffee, daily newspapers, and subsidised printing, photocopying, scanning and faxing facilities. This is a great space to study and meet fellow students.
SUPRA represents all postgraduate students of the University of Sydney. SUPRA Councillors sit on many University governance bodies and they speak out on behalf of students on many issues, including academic concerns and equal access for all students. SUPRA Councillors have regular meetings with the Vice-Chancellor and other senior staff to raise matters of concern to postgraduate students. SUPRA uses these forums to monitor University policy and promote postgraduate interests in decision-making.
SUPRA frequently makes submissions to government inquiries, regularly writes to the Education Minister and speaks to the media about education issues both on a state and federal level.
SUPRA holds forums and campaigns around broader social, cultural and political issues such as International Student Concessions. SUPRA believes that part of providing a voice for postgraduates includes facilitating engagement with broader social issues and social justice.
SUPRA is governed by democratically elected postgraduate students from accross the University. SUPRA has representative officers for women, queer, Indigenous, disabled and international students to help build a sense of community and work against barriers to education faced by many students.
All postgraduates are SUPRA constituents. All postgraduates can choose to become SUPRA Subscribers (a member of the Association). By becoming a SUPRA Subscriber, students will be able to access all of SUPRA's services and resources. Subscribing is free.
Subscribers can choose to become Supporters of SUPRA by making a financial contribution of between $20 and $80. All services of SUPRA are free, but becoming a financial Supporter is a great way to support your student organisation.
SUPRA office
Raglan Street Building, G10
Darlington Campus
University of Sydney NSW 2006
(near the Services Building)
Phone: (02) 9351 3715
Toll-free: 1800 249 950 (free call from outside the Sydney Metro area)
Fax: (02) 9351 6400
Email:
Website: supra.sydney.edu.au
Surveys and Reports on the student experience
During their studies at the University of Sydney, postgraduate students may be asked to respond to internal student satisfaction surveys. The results of these surveys are used to improve the student experience, and are an important mechanism for you to provide the University with your perceptions of either learning and teaching, or research training during your studies.
Postgraduate coursework students
The Student Course Experience Questionnaire (SCEQ) is designed to collect quantitative and qualitative data about students’ perceptions of the quality of teaching and learning in their degree courses. The SCEQ is distributed every second year to a stratified sample of current postgraduate coursework students (i.e. all years of study, all degrees). In the survey, students are asked to respond to statements using a five point Likert Scale to indicate the extent to which they agree or disagree with each statement. As part of the questionnaire, students are also asked to provide written comments on the best aspects of their degree experience and those that could be improved. The next survey is due in 2011.
Postgraduate research students (research higher degree)
The Student Research Experience Report (SREQ) is administered every year, during second semester, to all current research higher degree students. The survey gathers data on students' perceptions of the quality and frequency of supervision, intellectual and social climate, infrastructure, approaches to research, and graduate attributes development in their research higher degree.
Reporting the results of the surveys
Quantitative and qualitative data from the SCEQ and the SREQ provide evidence of the success of University and faculty initiatives to improve the overall student experience in general and the student experience of learning and teaching, and research training in particular.
The Institute for Teaching and Learning analyses data from the SCEQ and SREQ and provides a range of reports to staff and students of the university through their website at:
itl.sydney.edu.au/sceq; and
itl.sydney.edu.au/sreq
The Institute for Teaching and Learning provides faculties with reports based on the analysis of the SCEQ qualitative data (students’ responses to the open questions) during the year following the survey. The Graduate Studies Office provides faculties and the university with annual reports based on the analysis of the SREQ qualitative data every year. These reports are made available to staff and students at sydney.edu.au/learning/evaluating/sreq_or
MyUni - the student portal
MyUni provides access to a number of applications, such as email, timetabling, library loans and WebCT. Online self administration functions and UniKey account management can be accessed from your MyUni workspace. Services accessible through MyUni include:
- study tools and course information
- online learning environment
- student support service details, such as counselling, learning assistance, careers and accommodation
- campus information, directories and maps
- news and events
- pre-enrolment and enrolment variation
- updating your personal details
- timetabling (for some coursework units)
- exam seating and results (for some coursework units)
- ordering and purchasing course notes
- casual employment
- renewing library loans and paying fines.
MyUni is linked from the University's homepage at sydney.edu.au under Current Students
Updating your personal details
The University of Sydney communicates with students via either the recorded address or via the student email. It’s important that your contact details, particularly your address, are kept up to date. You can update your personal details via the MyUni website.
UniKey account
You will receive a UniKey login name and password when you enrol. UniKey is separate from any accounts provided by schools or departments. Your UniKey provides access to a range of online services provided by the University and outlined below.
The University provides you with an email account that is your official contact address.
For access to your official University email account, please visit: outlook.com
For assistance logging in see sydney.edu.au/ict/switch/sydney-mail.
To forward your email to another account, read the instructions at: sydney.edu.au/ict/switch/sydney-mail/forward-email
Remember: check your student email regularly, as the University will use this address to contact you.
Access to the university network
Wireless and access labs are the only network options provided to students.
Wireless access
Wireless access points are located across the University’s main campus. See: sydney.edu.au/ict/switch/internet/wireless for a map of locations.
Access labs
Computer Access labs are located on most campuses, providing PC access to the University network. For more information please see: sydney.edu.au/ict/switch/labs The main office for access labs is located in Fisher Library.
Glossary of frequently used terms
For a glossary of frequently used terms, see Appendix: Glossary of frequently used terms in this handbook.
The complete University glossary can be found online at: sydney.edu.au/ab/policies/Glossary.pdf