Working with a supervisor is a central part of completing a Higher Degree by Research (HDR).
Your supervisor will help you develop practical research skills and research networks to support your progress. They will guide and mentor you from commencement through to final submission of your thesis.
Supervisors are academics with research strengths and interests similar to yours. They have extensive knowledge and experience in their field and a qualification at least equal to the degree you are undertaking.
The Find a Researcher search function (see page end) can help you find researchers with expertise in your research area.
Make sure you contact a prospective supervisor and receive in-principle approval for your research project. In order to submit evidence of this approval, you will need to include the completed Prospective supervisor form when you apply for a research degree. A potential supervisor may also be able to assist you by suggesting a project for your research.
The Graduate Research School does not provide assistance to applicants seeking a supervisor.
While approaches to supervision, work styles and interactions with students may vary, our supervisors will provide:
The supervision registration and development procedure sets out the steps and guidelines for:
If you wish to change your supervisor, you must obtain approval and complete an application for change in supervision.
If you wish to apply to register as a Higher Degree by Research supervisor, please fill in the relevant Application for Supervisor Registration form, the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme form and return them to supervisor.registration@vu.edu.au along with a current copy of your CV.
If you have any questions or concerns please contact the Supervisor Registration team here: supervisor.registration@vu.edu.au
Under Australian law, Victoria University must register any agreement with a foreign citizen or resident who has previously undertaken or will undertake activities aimed at influencing politics or government in Australia on behalf of a foreign government, government entity, foreign government-related individual or political organisation.
All current and new HDR supervisors at VU must complete the relevant Foreign Influence Transparency Form:
