Research quarters
The academic year is divided into research quarters for higher degree by research (HDR) students.
- Research quarter 1: 1 January - 31 March
- Research quarter 2: 1 April - 30 June
- Research quarter 3: 1 July - 30 September
- Research quarter 4: 1 October - 31 December
Research quarter commencement dates
| Research quarter | Start date of quarter | Last commencement date for international students | Due date for payment of charges | Last commencement date for domestic students | Census date / final date to cancel without financial penalty | End date of quarter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RQ1 * | 1 Jan | 14 Jan | 15 Jan | 31 Jan | 1 Feb | 31 Mar |
| RQ2 | 1 Apr | 14 Apr | 15 Apr | 30 Apr | 1 May | 30 Jun |
| RQ3 * | 1 Jul | 14 Jul | 15 Jul | 31 Jul | 1 Aug | 30 Sep |
| RQ4 | 1 Oct | 14 Oct | 15 Oct | 31 Oct | 1 Nov | 31 Dec |
Commencement in a research quarter is fixed to a specific period and must be finalised by Census Date.
International students are required to have a specified agreed start date for their higher degree by research program, and this must be within the first 14 days of a research quarter. This is due to UQ’s obligations under Australian law.
The agreed start date will be specified in your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE), which is used for Student visa applications and is recorded with the Department of Immigration and Border Protection.
An international student who is unable to commence within the first two weeks of a research quarter, for example due to a delay in the visa application process, can contact the Graduate School to negotiate a new agreed start date prior to Census Date or a delayed commencement and a deferral of offer(s).
Census Date is the date by which all of your enrolment requirements must be finalised for a period of study (e.g. a semester or research quarter).
Note that Census Date is different from the date that your fees are due. All fees must be paid by the due date for payment of charges (see above table), including the SSAF. Payments made after this date will incur a late fee.
If a thesis is submitted after Census Date, you will remain fee liable for that research quarter.