Skip to content Mobile Contact Library A-Z
myRMIT login Login

PhD Completion Seminar

All PhD candidates are required to make a public presentation of their research work in the form of a seminar. This will be referred to as a Completion Seminar and will form an integral part of a PhD candidate's research program. This seminar will be presented during the year prior to thesis submission.

Theses will not be accepted for examination without evidence that the seminar has taken place, i.e., the completion seminar is a hurdle requirement for submission for examination.

PhD candidates must present a summary and chapter outline, or project description in the case of a PhD degree by project, to members of a panel. Seminar presentations may be consolidated by the School into a graduate students' conference. The seminar panel will consist of:

  • The principal supervisor of the candidate and second supervisors active in the research training of the candidate, or nominees
  • A member of academic staff in the same or cognate discipline area of the candidate (whilst this panel member would normally be an internal member of academic staff, appropriate external academics may also be used)
  • The School HDR Coordinator (or equivalent) in the candidate's School (who will also act as the panel chair). An appointee of the HDR coordinator should take this role where the HDR coordinator is unavailable or are themselves involved in the supervision of the candidate.

The role of the panel is to:

  • Provide general and specific feedback to the candidate
  • Advise the candidate on how close the candidate's work is to completion
  • Present a report to the candidate relating to the above which the candidate must take into account when finalising their work for submission.

The members of the panel will complete and sign the Completion Seminar Form and forward this to the School of Graduate Research (SGR). PhD candidates leaving Melbourne earlier than three months prior to completion may apply to the SGR Advisory Board for permission to present an equivalent 'progress' seminar prior to departure.

The PhD Completion Seminar form is available from the Higher Degrees by Research forms page.

Back to Summary of Procedures