Current PhD and MPhil Students

For current students seeking advice on rules and processes, comprehensive information and advice for current HDR candidates – including the HDR Handbook – can be accessed through the Graduate Research School Sharepoint.

Students needing to complete paperwork via an eForm can access these via the ANUHub: https://services.anu.edu.au/information-technology/software-systems/anuhub 

Manage My Degree (HDR)

The following functions are included:

  • Apply for leave
  • Change enrolment – Add / Drop Coursework
  • Apply for extension of program – including scholarship extensions
  • Change of intensity – full or part time
  • Change of program level – (PhD / MPhil / Professional Doctorate)
  • Voluntary Discontinuation / Program Withdrawal
  • Apply for extension of eCOE (electronic confirmation of enrolment)

Compulsory Coursework for Current PhD and MPhil Students

Advanced training in methodology, historiography, project design and ethical research conduct is structured into the School of History's higher degree research program. All HDR students must complete two courses over the first 12 to 24 months of full-time candidature. These are designed to broaden your academic training and to contribute directly to your thesis development, while also developing your professional skills. Upon successful completion of these courses you will receive a Graduate Research Certificate, which will appear on your transcript.

The School of History conducts the following courses for HDR students:

  1. The Craft of History: Approaches, Themes, Methods

The Craft of History: Approaches, Themes, Methods(SOCS9101) is the program's foundation course.  It provides an induction into the School of History, and into graduate research in History at ANU. The course involves two core components:

  1. practical advice for students to assist with research development, project design, and the identification of skills development needs;
  2. student-led exploration of issues in contemporary historiography relevant to students’ research. These issues will vary from year to year, in relation to the research interests of the students enrolled.

This course is primarily taught in intensive form via a series of workshops.  Timing may vary from year to year, but is usually scheduled between mid March and early April.  

  2. The Professional Historian: Advanced Training

The Professional Historian: Advanced Training course (HIST9102) consists of two components. The first is a series of four workshops to be held in second semester. These workshops focus on the formulation of your research questions and hypotheses, the development of your research strategy, your choice of methods, and your situation of your project within existing fields of research. This module culminates in the presentation of your thesis proposal at a thesis proposal presentation day, to which the entire School is invited; it also contributes directly to the completion of one of your HDR milestones.

The second component aims to develop students’ historical communication skills. It may be completed in a variety of ways by completing graduate intensive workshops, attending seminars and masterclass, and by participating in reading groups held across the year. Assessment may include such activities as reflective essays, book reviews, or contributions to online media outlets, such as the Conversation.

Participation in workshops and masterclasses delivered through other parts of the University may be eligible for credit toward the completion of HIST9102. Check in advance with the HDR convenor and your supervisor.

Please note: your supervisor should assess your reflective essays for both HIST9101 and HIST9102, not the seminar leaders. However, if the seminar leader is a member of staff they may be willing to review it.

Ethical Research

All new HDRs are required to complete training in research ethics by taking the Research Integrity Training module within three months of commencing their research degree.

If your research involves living subjects or sensitive materials, you may need to submit a detailed ethics proposal for approval before commencing your research.

To help prepare for this, students are encouraged to consult the Human Ethics Committee site, which provides an overview of ANU ethics processes.

Additional Funding

HDR students are provided with a notional fund of $6,000 to cover costs associated with completing their thesis research. However, the receipt of funding is contingent on the successful completion of milestones, the support of the supervisory chair, the endorsement of the Head of School, and the sanction of the Dean. Students must also comply with ethical protocol and safety guidelines before undertaking extended research trips.

The following links provide the necessary internal forms and information on external funding for domestic and international students:

Additional Resources