International students

If you are an international HDR student, you have access to additional support to help you with your studies at QUT and to assimilate into Australian life .

International Student Services (ISS)

International Student Services can assist you with:

• pre-arrival information and briefings
• airport reception
• accommodation services
• international orientation programs
• personal advice and counselling
• financial help
• language and learning support
• social and recreational activities
• support for families
• life skills and graduating student workshops.

International Students

Orientation

International students are required to attend a special QUT orientation session. This is run at the beginning of each semester.

The Introduction to Research for International Students (IRIS) program offers assistance and support in settling in to the research environment at QUT. It is a concentrated program that helps to develop awareness of academic expectations and cultural conventions required to undertake research in Australia. You'll be able to meet with support staff, and new and current international students. IRIS is offered at the beginning of each semester (usually early March and early August), and dates and times will be widely broadcast before to the event.

The QUT Business School runs a welcome or orientation session for all new higher degree research students so that they can meet support staff and the research student cohort.

Student support and orientation

Accommodation

Accommodation services are provided to all QUT students. Homestay is also an option to consider. If you stay with an Australian family you'll have a great opportunity to practise English and learn about Australian culture.

Accommodation and homestay

Electronic Commencement of Enrolment (eCoE)

You should take note of the start and end dates in your eCoE, and also be aware that the eCoE is approved for a particular course of study and is not transferable between courses.

The eCoE acts as a conduit for obtaining a student visa, but it isn't a visa. You must complete your course within the dates set out on the eCoE. For any extension of the eCoE you must complete our IE form (PDF file, 194.41 KB) and submit it to the Students Centre or the Research Students Centre.

There are many complexities and difficulties surrounding extensions to an eCoE or visa. For this reason, we strongly recommended that you pace yourself throughout your candidature, so you'll complete your milestones and submit your thesis within the due dates. If you're going to miss a deadline, you must consult with the QUTBS Research Support Office well in advance of any due date or expiry date.

Visas and immigration

The Research Support Office is not able to provide advice on visa or immigration matters. International Student Services will be your initial contact for advice about research enrolment and candidature. You can also consult the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) in Brisbane. Visa extensions attract a significant fee.

Visas and immigration

Language support

QUT Business School Research Student Learning Advisor

The QUT Business School offers tailored academic writing, critical analysis and language support for all Business higher degree research students. Dr Jonathan Bader, an experienced Research Student Learning Advisor, meets individually with students to discuss their research work.

In addition to providing general assistance and advice, he can help with:

• critical analysis
• constructing an argument
• written expression in keeping with the style expected in the discipline
• grammar
• writing in a logical way
• using influential research articles as models for the thesis.

International Student Services

International Student Services also provides language support through Student Services Blackboard.

Thesis editing

We recommend thesis editing for international PhD and Master of Business (Research). It should be applied for in the normal way, through the Research Support Office's research student funding scheme. The QUT Business School does, under certain circumstances, receive reimbursement for international student thesis editing.

Training workshops

We also offer workshops and programs to assist with study challenges, including specialist language development programs for international research students. Other programs aim to develop independent research practice. Most workshops are free and cover many aspects of research study, including:

• time management
• managing stress
• project management
• critical analysis (both qualitative and quantitative)
• managing key QUT research milestones, for example Stage 2 and literature review, confirmation of candidature.
• supervisory relationships.
• networking with other higher degree research students.

We schedule workshops for each semester, in a variety of areas.

Research students training resources

Study management

Counselling services workshops

Workshops and programs

Pastoral care

Research Support Office staff, as well as academic supervisors, are here to help you in your research journey. We encourage you to discuss any issues with us that affect your studies in a negative way. We'll keep these conversations completely confidential.

The Director of International Graduate Research, Professor Acram Taji, is also available to provide one-on-one support if you encounter difficulties during your studies. Any student needing help can email Professor Taji to arrange a confidential meeting.