Doctoral attendance and distance study

Find information on attendance expectations during your doctoral study.

Absences from Victoria University of Wellington need to be negotiated, approved and notified.

Attendance expectations

Working under academic supervision will normally require you to live in the Wellington region and attend the University in person during your studies. You are also expected to contribute actively to the intellectual life of the University by presenting your work in seminars, participating in school forums, discussing your ideas with academic staff and peers and meeting regularly with your supervisors.

Some exceptions may apply to cohort-based programmes such as PhDs in the International Institute of Modern Letters and the School of Nursing, Midwifery, and Health Practice, professional doctorates in Education and in Health, and to students who are placed at a recognised research institution in another centre.

Cotutelle arrangements

In some cases it may be possible to study for your PhD with the formal involvement of a partner university. Students who are studying at another university under a cotutelle arrangement will be governed by a specific agreement drawn up between the participating institutions. The cotutelle arrangements should be agreed as early as possible, ideally before students enrol in their doctoral programme. For more information refer to the guidelines on cotutelle degrees and other doctoral study overseas.

Short term absences

It is acceptable for you to take short breaks from your study for “annual leave” (up to four weeks), statutory holidays, short-term illnesses, conference attendances and academic meetings.

Prior to taking a short break you should discuss your plans with your supervisor and check with the postgraduate coordinator as to any School-specific requirements; this will be particularly important if you are part of a lab group. The School should be aware if you are “on leave” so that you can be accounted for in the event of an emergency.

Enrolment as a distance student

Victoria University of Wellington may consider applications from thesis students for enrolment as a distance student provided mandatory requirements can be met. Please carefully read the Doctoral Study by Distance Guidelines for the conditions which apply.

Current students should apply using the online form in Panoho. Incoming students should apply using the Agreement to Enrol as a Doctoral Distance Student form and emailing fgr-postgrads@vuw.ac.nz.

International students can apply to study offshore at the International Fee rate. For more information review the Guideline for enrolment of international doctoral students who wish to undertake a doctorate offshore.

Approved research away

Despite the expectation that you will study in Wellington, it may be necessary for you to conduct some of your research away from the University.

Permission to work away from the University will only normally be granted to allow you to carry out research that cannot be done at Victoria University of Wellington—so that you can undertake fieldwork, for example, or use archives or laboratories at other institutions.

Applications must be submitted to your School Research Committee (SRC) using the online form found in Panoho. You will need to apply well in advance of your planned date to leave Wellington.

Before submitting the application, please discuss your plans with your supervisors. You and your supervisors will need to agree on the full set of conditions outlined in the form.

Find the online form within Panoho to apply.

Research away regulations

You will need to be familiar with the regulations relating to research absences before you plan your travel.

  • During provisional registration, PhD students may not be absent from the University for more than three months.
  • Following full registration, domestic students (i.e., New Zealand citizens, permanent residents and Australian citizens) must spend at least one month per year (regardless of being full-time or half-time) at Victoria University of Wellington.
  • International PhD students may be absent from the University for no more than 12 months in total during their candidature. Refer to information for international students.
  • Students must keep in regular contact with their supervisors while away from the University and report on their research at agreed intervals (a PhD, by its very nature, consists of a programme of research conducted under supervision).
  • Students must maintain their registration, pay fees and comply with University regulations even while absent from the University.