School of Humanities

School of Humanities

PhD

On this page:

The PhD in Humanities Suspensions from Thesis
How to apply Overseas Travel
Funding Submission
Supervision Examination
Disputes Appeals
Research Proposal Contacts

 

The PhD in Humanities


A PhD involves sustained, rigorous research at the highest academic level. It is an original research project that makes a significant contribution to knowledge in a particular field. It requires the preparation of a substantial thesis that meets recognised international standards and presents the outcome of this research, placing it in the broader framework of the discipline or field of study. Undertaken under qualified supervision, study towards a PhD promotes intellectual independence and the capacity to undertake further research at a more advanced level.

PhD research areas
Prospective students can browse through our list of currently enrolled students to see what topics they are studying and through the faculty pages which provide information about the research interests and publications of academic members of the School of Humanities .

The School is host to two research centres and shares involvement in a third:

Postgraduate Office
The Postgraduate Office PhD Guidelines page gives you access to everything you need to know about PhD study at UC as well as to a PDF version of the information which you can download.

The Postgraduate Office is located on the 3rd floor of the Registry Building. The administrators are there to help you with any enquiries or concerns and the Dean of Postgraduate Studies has her office on the 3rd floor.

How to apply

New PhD students can enrol at any time (subject to approval by the programme and Dean of Postgraduate Studies).

  1. Prospective doctoral students should first of all consult the Programme Postgraduate Co-ordinator in the programme in which they wish to take their degree. S/he is best placed to assist with information and with lining up potential supervisors.
  2. If you have international entrance qualifications contact the International Office .
  3. Once you have gained the approval of the academic programme, submit an Application for Enrolment as a PhD Candidate (Word, 140KB). This form is also available from Level 3, Registry. See the Enrolment Map .
  4. When this form is processed you will be sent an enrolment offer and Statement of Fees, including payment instructions.
  5. The next step is send a formal acceptance of this offer and pay the fees.

For further information see Enrolment for new PhD students

International students should go the following web page: Enrolment for international students

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Funding

The Scholarships Office is the first point of contact for queries relating to scholarships administered by the University of Canterbury and any externally advertised scholarships on our site.  The team at the Scholarships Office can answer any questions you might have and help you with the process.

Postgraduate students

A wide range of scholarships are offered, catering for all levels of study up to doctoral level to assist you to progress your studies through continuing study and research.

View all scholarships available for Postgraduate students

International students
If you are an international student who is either planning to study or currently studying at the University of Canterbury, we have a range of scholarships you may be eligible for.

If you have completed your previous academic studies outside New Zealand, and you wish to undertake any study at the University of Canterbury, you will first need to apply for admission to the University.

View all scholarships available for international students

For information on how to apply for scholarship offered at UC, go to: Scholarships: How to apply

Supervision

In order to conduct a course of doctoral study, you must have at least two supervisors, one of whom is your senior supervisor. The latter has to be a continuing member of the academic staff at UC. Additional supervisors must have appropriate expertise and can be from within UC or another university or a research institute.

Once your supervisors have been appointed by the Dean of Postgraduate Studies, it is important to establish a clear understanding with your supervisor on the following issues:

  • the purpose(s) of your meetings
  • frequency of meetings
  • the type and extent of feedback and assistance which would be most useful
  • deadlines for submission of work

Disputes

If you are dissatisfied with the supervision provided or any other matter affecting your progress, you should report the matter to your Programme Postgraduate Co-ordinator or the HUMS Interim Associate Head.

If you are still dissatisfied, you may take the matter to the Dean of Postgraduate Research .

For advice or assistance please contact:

UCSA Education Advocate
Phone: +64 364 2652 ext 3911
advocacy@ucsa.canterbury.ac.nz

PO Box 31-311
Christchurch
New Zealand

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Research proposal

Talk to your provisional supervisor about developing and writing your research proposal.
You must register your research proposal six months from the date of enrolment for your PhD. Your enrolment may be terminated if you fail to do so. If you have a genuine reason for delaying registering your research proposal, you must apply for an extension to the Dean of Postgraduate Research .

Also refer to the Theses Regulations in the Calendar

Registration process

  1. Consult with your provisional supervisors to work on your research proposal until it is acceptable.
  2. Dowload and fill out the PhD Registration Form (Research Proposal) (DOC, 164KB). There are questions that you, your supervisor and HOS need to answer.
  3. You, your provisional supervisor, and HOS sign a supervision agreement (setting out expectations for supervision, resources, and feedback).
  4. Send your full research proposal to the Postgraduate Office together with the registration form.

You will hear from the Postgraduate Office whether your proposal has been approved or not approved by the Dean of Postgraduate Research.

If your proposal isn't approved, you may be allowed a month or two to improve your proposal. You can then re-apply as above.

If you are unable to get your research proposal approved, your enrolment will be terminated.

Progress reports

Following registration of the research proposal, students enrolled in a PhD must submit progress reports six and twelve months after registration. Progress reports are due at intervals of twelve months thereafter.

You will receive a reminder from the Postgraduate Office before your progress report is due.

You must:

You will receive notification from the Postgraduate Office of whether the Dean has approved your report.

If your report is not satisfactory the matter will be dealt with on an individual basis by the Dean in consultation with you and your supervisors.

Thesis length

The regulations stipulate that a PhD be no longer than 100,00 words, excluding appendices. For most subjects in the Humanities, the usual length is approximately 80,000 words. Consult your supervisor for further advice.

Thesis duration

The minimum period of enrolment for a full-time students is 24 months and the maximum is normally four years. However, the Dean of Postgraduate Studies may approve a further year of study upon presentation of extenuating circumstances relating to the student's research.

Permission may be given for part-time study. The minimum period of enrolment is 36 months and the maximum is normally seven years.

After commencement of study, a candidate may change their status from full to part time or vice versa with the approval of the Dean of Postgraduate Studies.

Extensions

The first person to talk to is your supervisor. S/he will advise you on the process and best course of action.

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Suspensions from thesis

Suspensions can only start from the first day of the month, will be for a minimum period of one month and will be granted for whole months only.

If a suspension is applied for in advance, tuition fees will be refunded for any months paid.

If a back dated suspension is granted a refund is not automatic. A separate application must be made for refund of tuition fees.

See Late Applications for Refunds, page 23 of the Enrolment Handbook.

A $100 administration fee will be charged for all approved refunds.

If you wish to apply for a suspension talk to the Postgraduate Administrator in the Registry.

International students should contact Student Administration, Level 1, Registry, following approval of a suspension of their studies to discuss their visa situation.

  • If the suspension is for a short period of time for valid reasons, the student visa can remain in place.
  • However, if the suspension is for more than one month, then Immigration New Zealand consider that the student will need to apply for a Visitor permit pending expiry of the suspension period.


Overseas travel

PhD students must obtain the approval of the Dean of Postgraduate Research to conduct research overseas. This approval is required only for periods greater than one month (therefore for most conference travel approval of the DPS is not required).  

Students who wish to study overseas must make an Application to conduct research overseas (DOC, 60KB) to the Dean of Postgraduate Research in advance.

The application needs to

  • state the length of time of the overseas research,
  • indicate how the travel and the associated costs will be funded,
  • Indicate that, if required, there are adequate research facilities and supervision at the proposed location, and
  • Indicate that there is a satisfactory means of communication with the Senior Supervisor at Canterbury.

International students should discuss their plans with the Postgraduate Office staff as there may be visa and re-enrolment issues.

This approval is required because the duty of care that the University of Canterbury has to its students still applies when those students are conducting research overseas. We have mechanisms in place to assist students if emergencies arise.

For further information on extensions, suspensions and overseas travel, please go to:
Information on extending or suspending a PhD

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Submission of thesis

Before you submit your thesis

Use this checklist to ensure you have completed everything you need to before you submit your thesis or dissertation. You should also check the information in the thesis portal.

1. Make sure your fees are up to date
There will be a fees clearance check of your record before you will be allowed to submit your thesis. This check is completed by the Postgraduate Office. You must be enrolled or in your month of grace for the Postgraduate Office to accept your submission. For further information regarding this clearance check, please consult the University's policy document Financial and Enrolment Information.
•  PhD Students (DOC, 141 KB) (UC Policy Library)

•  PhD Students (PDF, 105 KB) (UC Policy Library)

2. Decide how your thesis can be used
For more information on the availability of theses for consultation and copying (and the related form and policy) see restrictions on the use of your thesis.

3. Thesis binding
Check the opening hours of the Bindery (situated close to the Recreation centre off Kirkwood Avenue – phone: 364 2987 ext 8706) and allow sufficient time for your copies to be bound. Please note they only accept Canterbury card or cash as forms of payment.

4. Number of bound theses to submit
If you enrolled prior to 1 December 2007, you may choose to remain under the old set of PhD Regulations for your thesis examination. You will need to submit three soft bound copies of your thesis. If you choose to be examined under the new set of PhD Regulations, you need to advise the Postgraduate Office of your intention, in writing, and submit two softbound copies of your thesis.

5. Fee to submit your theses
Pay the hard binding fee of $40 (payable at the Cashiers desk, Level 1, Registry).

Where to submit
Postgraduate Office Reception desk, Level 3, Registry. You will receive a receipt upon submission of your thesis.

PLEASE NOTE THE POSTGRADUATE OFFICE WILL ACCEPT THESIS SUBMISSIONS BETWEEN 10AM AND 4PM.

International Students
International students need to contact Enrolments, Level 1, Registry, following submission of their thesis to discuss their Visa situation as a Student Visa is no longer a valid permit . Immigration New Zealand encourages students to apply for a 12-month open work permit (Graduate Work Permit) as soon as practicable so that suitable employment can be obtained.

Alternatively, the student will need to apply for a Visitor permit for the reminder of their stay in New Zealand.

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Examination process

Once you have submitted your doctoral thesis the following will happen:

  • Examiners will be appointed (the Internal Examiner will be a staff member at a New Zealand university, the External Examiner will be a staff member at an overseas university)
  • For students being examined under the old regulations (prior to 1 December 2007), three examiners will be appointed: an overseas examiner, one from another NZ university and a UC examiner who will normally be from the supervisory team.
  • The Senior Supervisor will submit a Supervisor's Certificate briefly outlining the part they played in the research and preparation of the thesis.

Time frames

  • The thesis will be sent to the examiners for marking
  • Reports are expected within two months of receipt of the thesis/dissertation
  • Contextual reports from the supervisory team should be submitted during this period
  • The staff member appointed to organise your oral examination will make arrangements for the scheduling of your oral examination once all examiners reports have been submitted
  • Following your oral exam the examination panel will make recommendations to the Dean of Postgraduate Research
  • Students are contacted via Registry of their result or, if changes are required by the Department
  • Once any required changes have been made to the thesis, an electronic and hard copy of the thesis should be deposited in the library. For further information see the library thesis portal


Appeals

Appeal process

If you wish to appeal against your results:

For advice or assistance please contact:

UCSA Education Advocate
Phone: +64 364 2652 ext 3911
advocacy@ucsa.canterbury.ac.nz


Contacts

Students should not contact the examiners during the marking process. Copies of the reports may be available from your programme once confirmation of the results have been received.

For queries post submission please contact the Postgraduate Co-ordinator:

Sonia-Ingrid Marshall
Phone: 03 364 2987 ext 8978
sonia-ingrid.marshall@canterbury.ac.nz
University of Canterbury
Private Bag 4800
Christchurch 8140
New Zealand

For queries before or after thesis enrolment, see the Humanities Postgraduate Contacts page.

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