About Us

Postgraduate Studies Office

The Postgraduate Studies Office is the University of Waikato's central administrative office concerned with postgraduate studies. It provides advice to prospective and enrolled students, liaises with and advises Faculty/School/department administrators and academic staff, provides professional advice to the Postgraduate Studies Committee and keeps records of the academic status of each candidate. It also notifies decisions of the Postgraduate Studies Committee, advises when progress reports or examiner nominations are due and assists with arrangements for oral examinations.

Postgraduate Studies Committee

The Postgraduate Studies Committee oversees the academic requirements, standards, process of supervision and administration of higher degrees, specifically:

• Approval of applications for enrolment for research degrees
• Approval of supervisors
• Approval of requests for changes to enrolment details
• Consideration of progress reports that give rise to concern
• Approval of appointment of examiners
• Consideration of recommendations made by examiners
• Determination of award of degrees on behalf of the Academic Board
• Consideration of new research degree qualifications
• Consideration of proposed changes to degree regulations
• Monitoring of research degree enrolments and completion times
• Suspensions, extensions and withdrawals

The committee members are the Dean's nominee for postgraduate studies from each Faculty/School and a chairperson and deputy chairperson appointed by the Vice Chancellor. The Committee normally meets once a month.

Note:

• The delegation of responsibility from the Dean of a Faculty/School to a Dean's nominee for postgraduate studies (or equivalent title) is recommended.
• In turn, the Dean's nominee for postgraduate studies may delegate some responsibilities to the chairpersons of departments or others.
• Where delegation occurs, the responsibilities of each person should be documented in relevant Faculty/School and departmental information.

Executive Decision

The chairperson of the Postgraduate Studies Committee and Office staff meet weekly to resolve matters clearly covered by policy developed by the Committee. Matters for which there are no policies or precedents, or other matters that the chairperson considers need discussion, will be submitted to a meeting of the Postgraduate Studies Committee for resolution.