Admissions to Research Programs Policy

1. Admission Requirements

2. Applying for Admission to the University

3. Reviewing Applications & Making Offers

4. Refusing Admission for Non-Academic Reasons

5. Deferring Commencement of Studies

6. Withdrawal of Offer

7. Appeals

Authorities

OVERVIEW

This policy sets out the University of Adelaide's approach to the selection of applicants for admission to research programs. It reflects the University's commitment to the highest academic standards by only selecting applicants who are likely to succeed in the University's programs, and by encouraging broad access to those programs.

The policy aims to ensure the integrity of the selection and admission processes, and that admission decisions are transparent, consistent and fair, whilst complying with relevant legislative and regulatory requirements.

SCOPE

This policy applies to all domestic and international applicants for admission to postgraduate research programs at the University of Adelaide (hereafter 'the University').

Nothing contained in this policy is intended to alter or limit the full extent of the University's right to grant or refuse admission in its absolute discretion, subject always to the laws of Australia.

DEFINITIONS

For the purposes of this policy, the terms below have the following meanings:

Applicant means a person who applies for admission to a postgraduate research program at the University.

Admission Requirements are the specific academic qualifications, skills knowledge and other requirements that must be satisfied in order for an Applicant to be eligible for admission into a particular program.

Committee means the Grievance Committee for the Refusal of Admissions and Enrolment on Non-Academic Grounds.

Other definitions are as contained in the University Glossary of Terms.

1. Admission Requirements

a) Admission Requirements are designed to enable the University to select Applicants who are likely to succeed in a program.

b) Admission Requirements for all postgraduate research programs are recommended by the Research Education and Development Committee (REDC) and approved by the Academic Board.

c) Applicants who apply for admission to a postgraduate research program will normally be required to achieve one or more of the following:

i. Successful completion of an Honours degree or equivalent and the awarding of an Honours grade (or equivalent) at the required level approved for admission into the program;

ii. Successful completion of a Master degree with a significant research component as per the Academic Program Rules for the degree;

iii. Overseas tertiary education qualifications considered equivalent to the above Australian qualifications;

d) International students are expected to be proficient in written and spoken English comprehension and expression. Applicants must provide evidence of their English language proficiency in order to satisfy the University's minimum English language standards.

e) Some programs may have additional Admission Requirements, including but not limited to academic or other tests or requirements (which must be reached or evidenced to the level required by the University), such as an interview, oral assessment, specific knowledge test, aptitude test, work experience, an audition, portfolio, application statement, referee report or registration with a particular body or organisation.

f) Admission to any postgraduate research program is contingent on the availability of accredited supervisors and adequate facilities and resources for the applicant's proposed research project.

g) The University may grant exemptions to Admission Requirements for an individual Applicant in exceptional circumstances where it believes that the Applicant is likely to succeed in the program.

h) The University may, in its absolute discretion, refuse admission to an Applicant where the Applicant:

i. has previously been suspended or excluded from the University or any other tertiary education institution for academic reasons, including but not limited to academic dishonesty or unsatisfactory academic progress; or

ii. has outstanding fees owing to the University.

2. Applying for Admission to the University

a) To be eligible for admission into a program, Applicants must satisfy the Admission Requirements for that program.

b) Satisfying the Admission Requirements enables an Applicant to be considered for admission, but does not guarantee an offer of admission to the program.

c) International Applicants may also be required to demonstrate compliance with other legislative or Governmental requirements.

d) Current and former students of the University who wish to apply for admission to a new or alternative program will be subject to the requirements of this policy.

3. Reviewing Applications and Making Offers

a) The University has absolute discretion to determine whether a qualification proffered for admission is equivalent to that specified in the Admission Requirements.

b) The University may attach conditions to an offer of admission to a program, including but not limited to meeting Admission Requirements, visa or other legal obligations, or making any required fee payments.

c) If an Applicant wishes to accept an offer of admission they must do so in accordance with the process specified in their letter of offer. Failure to do so may result in the offer of admission being rescinded.

4. Refusing Admission for Non-Academic Reasons

a) The University may, in its absolute discretion, refuse admission to an Applicant who would otherwise be eligible for admission where it believes that:

i. the Applicant or the presence of the Applicant poses a risk to the students and/or staff of the University or the wider University community;

ii. the Applicant may prejudice the reputation, management, good governance or discipline of the University;

iii. the Applicant has engaged in dishonest and/or deceitful behaviour in the process of applying for admission to the University or any other tertiary educational institution;

iv. the Applicant would not be able to lawfully enter University premises for all or part of the duration of a program by reason of a court order or any enactment or decision made under an enactment;

v. the University would be subject to sanctions under the Autonomous Sanctions Act 2011;

vi. the Applicant would be unable to meet the requirements of a program, including but not limited to attendance or group participation requirements.

b) The University will endeavour to accord natural justice to any Applicant prior to making any decision to refuse admission on the grounds set out in this clause.

c) An Applicant will be notified in writing within 10 business days of any decision to refuse admission pursuant to this clause. The Applicant may appeal the decision by submitting a grievance notice specifying the grounds of the grievance together with written submissions and documentary material upon which the Applicant seeks to rely on to the Vice-Chancellor and President within 10 business days of notification of the decision to refuse admission.

d) The Vice-Chancellor and President may refer the grievance notice to the Committee for consideration and seek the Committee's recommendation and advice.

e) The Committee will be comprised of three members to be appointed by the Vice-Chancellor and President in accordance with the Terms of Reference approved by Council.

f) The Committee shall consider the material provided by the Applicant and any other material that it decides in its discretion to receive, and make a recommendation to the Vice-Chancellor and President in relation to the grievance. The recommendation shall be made within 20 business days of the date that the University received the grievance notice, (or such further time as may be required and formally approved by the Vice-Chancellor and President and notified to the Applicant in writing).

g) The Vice-Chancellor and President will determine the matter and may have regard to any recommendation by the Committee.

h) The Vice-Chancellor and President may affirm, reverse or vary the University's decision to refuse admission to the Applicant which was the subject of the grievance.

i) The determination of the Vice-Chancellor and President shall be final.

5. Deferring Commencement of Studies

a) Offers of admission into postgraduate research programs will specify the earliest and latest dates acceptable to the School of enrolment. Deferment beyond the latest start date is subject to approval by the School and the Adelaide Graduate Centre, and is contingent on the availability of appropriate supervision and resources.

b) Deferment of a scholarship offer is not permitted. The conditions of award of the scholarship define the earliest and latest commencement dates possible for uptake of the award.

6. Withdrawal of Offer

a) The University may, in its absolute discretion, withdraw an offer of admission to a postgraduate research program at any time prior to candidature commencement if:

i. the Applicant fails to meet any of the conditions attached to their letter of offer by the required date;

ii. the University no longer offers the program;

iii. the offer was made in error;

iv. the Applicant does not enrol by the deadline specified in their letter of offer;

v. the University believes that clause 4a applies to the Applicant.

b) The University may withdraw an offer of admission to a program at any time if the offer was made contrary to Australian law or as a result of incorrect, inaccurate, fraudulent or misleading information or documentation supplied by the Applicant or a third party on behalf of the Applicant. The University reserves the right to cancel the student's current or future enrolment.

c) If an Applicant's offer of admission is withdrawn and they wish to reapply for entry into the same program or entry into any other program, they will be required to apply in accordance with the University policies and processes in place at the time the new application is made.

d) The University reserves the right to cancel a program that is not viable, and to cancel any offers of admission that have been made to that program.

7. Appeals

a) Applicants may appeal the following decisions on the sole ground that there has been non-compliance with this policy:

i. assessment on whether an Applicant satisfies the Admission Requirements of a program;

ii. withdrawal of an offer of admission pursuant to clause 6a or 6b.

b) Any appeal must be submitted to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Research) within 10 business days of the date of the correspondence notifying the Applicant of the decision.

c) The appeal must be submitted in writing and must specify the grounds of the appeal and contain such written submissions and documentary material that the Applicant seeks to rely on.

d) The Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Research) will consider the material provided by the Applicant and any other material that it is in their discretion to receive.

e) The Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Research) may affirm, reverse or vary the decision which is the subject of the appeal and will inform the Applicant of the outcome of the appeal within 20 business days of receiving it.

f) The determination of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Research) shall be final.

Authorities

Key	Authority Category	Authority	Delegation Holder	Limits
Academic	Admissions	Approve Postgraduate Research Admission Requirements	Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research Operations)	On recommendation of the Research Education and Development Committee, acting on behalf of Academic Board
Academic	Admissions	Approve exemptions to admission requirements for individuals (clause 1h)	Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research Operations)
Academic	Admissions	Assess individual applications for admission to determine whether they satisfy the Admission Requirements	Manager, Admissions & Graduate Administration
Academic	Admissions	Determine equivalency of qualifications (clause 3a)	Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research Operations)
Academic	Admissions	Approve conditions attached to offers of admission (clause 3b)	Manager, Admissions & Graduate Administration
Academic	Admissions	Exercise discretion to refuse admission pursuant to clause 4	Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research Operations)
Academic	Admissions	Determine any grievance pursuant to clause 4	Vice-Chancellor and President
Academic	Admissions	Exercise discretion to withdraw a deferred offer (clause 5f)	Manager, Admissions and Graduate Administration
Academic	Admissions	Exercise direction to withdraw offer pursuant to clause 6	Manager, Admissions and Graduate Administration
Academic	Admissions	Determine appeals (clause 7)	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Research)

Please use the following URL instead of linking to individual documents:
https://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/4203