Doctor of Arts / Doctor of Social Sciences

The Resolutions of the degree of the Doctor of Arts/Doctor of Social Sciences were approved on 17 October 2012.

If you have any queries about this degree, please contact the

Doctor of Arts

Doctor of Social Sciences

These resolutions must be read in conjunction with applicable University By-laws, Rules and policies including (but not limited to) the University of Sydney (Coursework) Rule 2014 (the 'Coursework Rule'), the Coursework Policy 2014, the Resolutions of the Faculty, the University of Sydney (Student Appeals against Academic Decisions) Rule 2006 (as amended), the Academic Honesty in Coursework Policy 2015 and the Academic Honesty Procedures 2016. Up to date versions of all such documents are available from the Policy Register: http://sydney.edu.au/policies.

Course resolutions

Part 1: Preliminary

1 Course codes

Code	Course and stream title
RPARTSAR-01	Doctor of Arts
RPSOCSCI-01	Doctor of Social Sciences

Part 2: Admission requirements

2 Eligibility for admission to candidature

(1)

To be eligible to be admitted to candidature by the Dean or Associate Dean, an applicant must:

(a)

hold or have completed the requirements for:

(i) a bachelor's degree from the University of Sydney or equivalent institution, with first or second class honours, in a relevant subject area; or

(ii) a bachelor's degree from the University of Sydney or equivalent institution, in a relevant subject area, with a substantial portfolio of published/professional work (such as books, films, TV programs, creative work and/or government reports) equivalent to or greater than an undergraduate honours thesis; or

(iii) a master's degree from the University of Sydney or equivalent institution, in a relevant subject area, and

(b)

have a minimum of five years' recent, full-time employment or professional experience in a relevant field.

(2)

The Dean or Associate Dean may admit to candidature an applicant who does not meet the requirements of sub-clause (1), provided that the applicant holds a qualification or qualifications that, in the opinion of the Dean or Associate Dean, are equivalent to those prescribed in sub-clause (1).

3 Application for admission to candidature

(1)

An applicant for admission to candidature must submit to the Faculty:

(a)

satisfactory evidence of the applicant's eligibility for admission;

(b)

a proposal for a course of research and advanced study of not less than 1,000 words; and

(c)

a statement certifying the applicant's understanding that, subject to the HDR Rule, if the candidature is successful, his or her thesis will be lodged with the University Librarian and made available for immediate public use.

(2)

In addition, an applicant for admission to part-time candidature must submit a statement that he or she will have sufficient time available to complete the requirements of the degree in accordance with these resolutions.

4 Credit transfer

(1)

The HDR Rule specifies the conditions for the granting of credit for previous studies, including the effect on completion times, except that:

(a)

any research credit granted shall ordinarily not exceed two semesters full-time or equivalent part-time; and

(b)

for coursework -

(i) the coursework should have been completed with a high level of competency (normally at least at Distinction level) and be relevant to the candidate's program of study.

Part 3: Candidature

5 Appointment of supervisor

The Head of Department will appoint a supervisor and associate supervisor for each candidate in accordance with the HDR Rule and Academic Board policies for postgraduate research higher degree supervision.

6 Control of candidature

The HDR Rule specifies the conditions for the control of candidature by the University.

7 Location of candidature and attendance

The HDR Rule specifies the conditions for the location of candidature and attendance by candidates at the University.

Part 4: Requirements

8 Degree requirements

(1)

To satisfy the requirements of the degree candidates must:

(a)

complete any specified probationary requirements; and

(b)

complete 12 credit points of coursework;

(c)

conduct research on the approved topic; and

(d)

write a thesis embodying the results of the research; or

(e)

produce a significant creative project and a thesis embodying the results of the research.

9 The units of study

(1)

The units of study will comprise:

(a)

two six credit point postgraduate research methods units of study.

10 The thesis

(1)

A candidate shall produce a thesis that meets the requirements specified in the HDR Rule.

(2)

The thesis will be in the range of 60,000 to 80,000 words for candidates not also submitting a significant creative project.

(3)

The thesis will be in the range of 20,000 to 30,000 words for candidates also submitting a significant creative project.

Part 5: Enrolment and progression

11 Probation

A candidate is normally accepted for candidature on a probationary basis for a period not exceeding one year according to the provisions of the HDR Rule.

12 Time limits, earliest and latest submission dates

The HDR Rule specifies the allowable completion times and submission dates available for full- and part-time candidates in this course.

13 Mode of attendance

The attendance pattern for this course is full-time or part-time according to candidate choice.

14 Discontinuation of candidature

A candidate may discontinue enrolment in a unit of study or the degree subject to the conditions specified by the HDR Rule.

15 Suspension of candidature

A candidate may suspend enrolment from the degree subject to the conditions specified by the HDR Rule.

16 Leave of absence

A candidate may take leave of absence from the degree subject to the conditions specified by the HDR Rule.

17 Progress

A candidate is required to maintain satisfactory progress towards the timely completion of the degree. Progress will be reviewed annually according to the provisions of the HDR Rule.

Part 6: Examination

18 Examination of the thesis

(1)

Examination of the thesis and significant creative project (where applicable) will be conducted in general accordance with standards prescribed by Academic Board in the HDR Rule 2011 for Doctorates by research other than the Doctor of Philosophy, including that:

(a)

four copies of the thesis and significant creative project (where applicable) shall be submitted by the candidate, together with four copies of the thesis summary of about 300 words in length; and

(b)

three examiners will be appointed by the Faculty, two of whom shall be external to the University.

(c)

the Faculty Postgraduate Research Committee will approve the appointment of examiners, make decisions on the examiners' reports, the result of the examination, and the award of the degree.

19 Award of the degree

The degree is awarded at the Pass level only.

Part 7: Other

20 Transitional provisions

These course resolutions apply to students who commenced their candidature after 1 January, 2013. Candidates enrolled in the degree under pre-2013 degree resolutions may apply to be enrolled under the 2013-on degree resolutions.

University of Sydney Handbooks - 2018 Archive

The University of Sydney - Arts and Social Sciences (Postgraduate) Handbook 2018