Higher degree by research - COVID-19 advice

If you have an offer from UQ you should receive an update from us regarding your commencement. If you have queries, or did not receive an update, please contact us at graduateschool@uq.edu.au

You will be able to commence once you arrive in Brisbane or your campus of study. Please consult this information regarding current Queensland border restrictions. You may need to quarantine on arrival, and UQ student services can assist with services to support you in quarantine, and let you know of grants you may be eligible for. For details please see the Student FAQ tab.

If you would prefer to defer your studies please contact us at graduateschool@uq.edu.au

If you currently reside in Australia but are located in another state, and are impacted by a lockdown, and cannot travel, we may be able to consider a temporary remote commencement depending on your circumstances. When you are contacted about commencement let our team know and they can recommend options based on your individual circumstances.

Any changes to dates will be reflected on our scholarship pages. Our main scholarship round has had some outcome dates adjusted for students who were still awaiting outcomes.  Other scholarship opportunities and due dates can be viewed on the scholarships website.  

You should discuss your research project with your advisors and plan upcoming research activity to enable you to work from home if necessary.

Check your computer to ensure you have the software you need. These guides to working from home, and remotely accessing UQ IT systems, may prove useful.

Seek approval from your enrolling unit (School or Institute) to relocate any IT equipment you will need at home (a monitor or desk top computer etc).

If the campus is closed, all HDR candidates will be expected to work from home during that period, unless otherwise on approved leave or interruption. If you are unable to continue with your current research plan from home, speak with your advisors to make adjustments to enable you to continue to make some research progress. If you are sick, you may be eligible to apply for leave.

Whilst working at home remember to maintain regular contact with your advisory team and lodge monthly Research Progress Reports in your Research Data Management (RDM) record.

If possible, you should proceed to undertake your milestone as this will help document your research progress to date, and provide you with valuable feedback on any adjustments you propose. The format of this may need to be adjusted and your PGC can advise you on this matter. In recent months many HDR candidates have found Zoom is effective to host a milestone meeting, and provides additional flexibility.

Your milestone process is about your progress in candidature and will take into account any adjustments you have had to make, and provide you with guidance on how you can adjust your research activity going forward. Use the milestone as a tool to assist you with planning the remainder of your research project.

You should discuss your situation with your advisors and update your research plans and timelines to accommodate the current situation. If possible, you should undertake your milestone if you can, to help you obtain advice and plan the remainder of your candidature.

For more information on research continuity see the research support website on preparing for disruption to research activities.

Plan or reorder your activities if you can to maintain some progress. It is optimal for you to continue to proceed where you can, noting limitations you encounter and any disadvantage you experience in the Research Progress Reports. This also helps ensure you can continue to receive your scholarship, if you have one. 

In cases where you can’t make any progress it may be necessary to consider an interruption.  Please discuss this with your Advisors and contact the Graduate School to discuss your options.

This is the time to discuss the impact of the inability to undertake fieldwork with your advisor and develop an alternative plan. Restrictions on travel are not predictable at this time, and this appears like it will continue for an extended period of time so rescoping your project may be needed to enable you to progress.   This is not an easy process, and will take some time. Once you have your new plan in place please submit your requests for an Extension of Milestone or an Extension of scholarship.

Remember that if your progress has been affected, document this in your fortnightly Research Progress Reports with a description of the impact on your candidature. This information may support a request for an extension of candidature or scholarship if required. It is very important to continue to try to maintain research activity, making progress where you can.

If, after discussion with your advisors, you conclude that it isn’t possible to continue your candidature at present you may consider an interruption to your studies.

Please be aware that an interruption will suspend your scholarship payment and, for international candidates, may impact your visa status. The Graduate School can advise you and discuss this option with you. Just make an appointment with one of our team, specialising in candidature progression.  However, please note the University is unable to provide advice on visas. While we have heard that there has been some relaxation on visas we recommend you contact the Department of Home Affairs if you need advice related to your visa status.

We recommend you make an appointment to talk with one of our Graduate School team to discuss this further and understand any implications.

Depending on how much time you need to dedicate to work you may wish to record the effect of this work in your Research Progress Report. If the impact on your time will be significant you should consider moving to a part-time enrolment or take an interruption.

We recommend advisors communicate with research partners regularly to highlight current circumstances and any impact occurring to the timing of the delivery of project key deliverables due to COVID-19 working arrangements.

Advisors should discuss with partners any revised research plans and record with their Research Partnership Manager agreements to vary these plans. If they have concerns about delivery against contractual deliverables or believe that you may not be able to continue with a project, it is advisable to work with your advisor and discuss with your research partnership manager (RPM) in the first instance.

Unfortunately, all international travel is suspended until further notice. Please refer to the FAQ under Students regarding insurance claims for expenses incurred due to changes to travel plans.

This would depend on the Australian Government protocols in place at the time. If you interrupt your study ensure you check the Department of Home Affairs website for updates. Before interrupting we recommend you also review the protocols of your home country to ensure you are able to enter when you plan to travel. We recommend you make an appointment to talk with one of our Graduate School team to discuss your options first.

If you have concerns or need support, contact: Student Services: + 61 (07) 3365 1704 or toll free (within Australia): 1800 512 391. Email: student.services@uq.edu.au    or make an appointment online.

If you are well enough to continue to set goals and make some progress, please continue to document this in your Research Progress Reports, noting a health-related impact if applicable.

Please consider taking leave if you are severely impacted and require a break and support from mental health services.

UQ provides financial assistance grants to support students short-term. HDR students are able to apply.

Contact your enrolling unit (School or Institute) about relocating any equipment you need such as a monitor, or desk top. Each unit is keeping a log of equipment during this time. If you are having difficulties then let your Graduate School HLO know so they can raise it with the school.

Stay up to date with library changes by visiting the library COVID-19 information page.

Try to maintain some progress where you can to keep your project going and also ensure you retain your scholarship if you have one. For some, reducing to part-time or taking an interruption at this time might be a better option, depending on circumstance. These options are not usually available to international candidates but there is some temporary flexibility for international candidates to be able to enrol part-time and also to remain on shore whilst on interruption.

If you need to change your candidature status, please discuss with your Advisors and contact our Graduate School team to discuss your options.

If you are receiving a UQ scholarship you will have access of up to 10 days of sick leave each year, and up to 60 days additional sick leave throughout your candidature. You will need to apply for this via my.UQ.  This leave also can cover caring responsibilities if needed.

The CDSE continues to support candidates in their development activities.  Placements can be conducted remotely, and workshops can be taken online. Candidates who meet the criteria can still apply for the CDSE. If you had a placement scheduled through the Graduate School that was impacted by COVID-19 we will work with you on a case by case basis regarding the second scholarship extension.

This will depend on how your research has been impacted.  If you have additional caring responsibilities, or have been ill, and are on a UQ scholarship, please take sick leave. We have worked to increase the flexibility around sick leave so that it can also cover for caring responsibilities if needed.  You have access of up to 10 days of sick leave each year, and up to 60 days additional sick leave throughout your candidature. You will need to apply for this via my.UQ.

If you are unable to make any progress at all in your research, then an interruption may be your best option.  Book an appointment with our specialists on HDR progression for a chat about whether this is the right option for you.

If you have worked to adjust your research, but still find you need more time to write up and complete then the COVID Impact HDR Scholarship extension may be an option. The COVID Impact HDR Scholarship extension is designed to support you, if you have documented this impact on your research (as reflected in the HDR Research Progress Reports lodged in the Researcher Data Management system), and as a consequence require additional support to complete your thesis.

Most of our CDF courses are now available in an online format. We also have some face-to-face workshops available, but this may change to online if COVID-19 restrictions are increased. All registered participants will be kept up to date of any changes.  Please check the CDF website for the latest details on available workshops.

You can still make an appointment to speak with our careers advisor with appointments now being conducted via Zoom.

Right now more than ever it is important to reach out to your peers and support network.

See how to stay connected.