Confirmation Milestones

Doctoral candidates have provisional status until they have completed their milestones and have been confirmed into the programme following a successful Confirmation Review.

For full-time candidates, this takes place at the end of their first year of enrolment (also known as the provisional year), while for part-time candidates, it takes place at the end of their second year.

Note: PhD candidates manage their candidature (including Confirmation Milestones) on Wahapū. If you are studying towards a Named Doctorate (DClinPsy, DMedSc, DHSc, DocFA, EdD), you will complete the process manually, using PDF forms. You can speak to your supervisor for more information about this.

There are 10 compulsory milestones that apply to everyone, but many candidates will also have additional personalised milestones set by their supervisors.

Milestone 1: Doctoral Induction

In addition to any faculty inductions you are invited to, you must attend a central Doctoral Induction on City Campus within the first two months of enrolling. Find out more and book.

If you are an international student, you may also like to consider attending the optional International Orientation.

Milestone 2: Academic Integrity Course

You must complete the University of Auckland Academic Integrity Canvas Course within the first two months of enrolling. We also highly recommend you complete the Academic and Research Integrity Canvas Course, which is tailored to the doctoral candidate experience.

Milestone 3: DELNA Online Screening

You must complete a Diagnostic English Language Needs Assessment (DELNA) screening within the first two months of enrolling if you have not already completed one at the University of Auckland. This will help to identify whether you need to complete any further assessments, language courses, or language enrichment activities.

Milestone 4: Health and Safety Risk Assessment

This milestone is unique to your field of study. It is organised by your academic unit and must be completed soon after enrolling. Your supervisor will be able to answer any questions you may have.

Milestone 5: Ethics Approval (if required)

If your research involves humans or their data, or animals, you must obtain official ethics approval. You can talk to your supervisor about what will be required.

Milestone 6: Doctoral Training Needs Analysis

The Needs Analysis must be completed within the first six months. It will enable you to create a professional development plan using the Doctoral Development Framework, and we'll help you get started on it during the central Doctoral Induction. Unless you are enrolled in a Named Doctorate (DClinPsy, DHSc, DMedSc, DocFA, EdD), you will complete the Needs Analysis in Wahapū. Learn more.

Milestone 7: Submit a Full Thesis Proposal

The full thesis proposal is submitted in advance of your Confirmation Review. It is one of the most important milestones. It should give the Confirmation Review Committee confidence that you can conduct your research, manage your project, have a realistic plan in place, and complete your doctorate in a timely manner to a high standard that will satisfy the examination criteria. Please direct any queries to your supervisor.

Milestone 8: Submit a Substantial Piece of Written Work

You need to submit a substantial piece of written work (such as a literature review) in advance of your Confirmation Review. A helpful resource is the Literature Review Canvas course.

Milestone 9: Oral Presentation

The Confirmation Review starts with a 20-minute Oral Presentation to your Confirmation Review Committee, about your doctoral work. Please ask your supervisor for more details.

Milestone 10: Discussion with Confirmation Review Committee

After your Oral Presentation, you will discuss your full thesis proposal, written work, research plan, and other thesis-related work, with your Confirmation Review Committee. Your supervisor will be able to answer questions about this process.