Program Overview

Introduction to the Doctor of Fine Art (DocFA) Program

The Doctor of Fine Art (DocFA) program at the University of Auckland is governed by regulations that came into effect in 2022. This document outlines the procedures for the submission and examination of the creative work and supporting thesis within the DocFA program.

Purpose

The purpose of this document is to specify the procedures that apply to the submission and examination of the creative work and supporting thesis within the DocFA program.

Procedures

Submission

1. All work to be examined for the DocFA must be submitted in accordance with the duration clauses of the DocFA program regulations.
2. Candidates seeking permission to submit the examinable work for the degree prior to completion of 36 months of full-time equivalent program enrollment must supply:

• A statement detailing how the candidate's rate of progress was achieved
• Confirmation that all candidate work undertaken for the research project was undertaken during enrollment for the degree
• A submission from the supervisor as to the candidate's statement and as to the readiness of the creative work and supporting thesis for submission on academic grounds only

3. Applications for early submission must normally be made via the "Early Thesis Submission" form.
4. Applications for early submission may be approved by the Board of Graduate Studies (or delegate) on academic grounds only.
5. Where the creative work is presented for examination in the form of an examiner-attended exhibition and/or performance:

• The supporting thesis must be submitted in digital form one month prior to commencement of the exhibition and/or performance
• The candidate must arrange for the exhibition and/or performance to be digitally recorded and submitted to the School of Graduate Studies

Examination

15. Two examiners will be appointed by the Board of Graduate Studies (or delegate) in accordance with the Doctoral Appointment of Examiners Policy and Procedures.
16. The Academic Head will appoint a nominee (the 'AH Nominee') who will serve on the Examination Committee and on the Oral Examination Committee (where an oral examination is held).
17. Where the creative work takes the form of an examiner-attended exhibition and/or performance, each examiner will be provided with:

• A digital copy of the thesis at least ten working days prior to attendance at the exhibition and/or performance
• Access to a digital recording of the creative work post the exhibition and/or performance, for reference purposes, upon request to the School of Graduate Studies

18. Examiners must examine, and provide a written report on, the creative work and supporting thesis in relation to the criteria outlined in Regulation 8b of DocFA regulations.

Definitions

• Academic Head is the head of the relevant academic unit or their nominee for doctoral matters.
• Candidates are candidates for the DocFA degree at the University; candidature commences upon enrollment in the doctoral program and concludes when the requirements for the degree are met or confirmed as not having been met.
• DocFA Program Regulations refers to the regulations for the DocFA degree as contained in the University calendar for the year in which the candidate commenced their DocFA enrollment.
• Submitted Work refers to the creative work, whether presented for examination in the form of an examiner-attended exhibition and/or performance or in a digital recording submitted together with the thesis, and to the supporting thesis.

Key Relevant Documents

• PhD Statute
• Doctoral Examination Procedures
• DocFA program regulations

Document Management and Control

• Owner: Dean of Graduate Studies
• Content Manager: School of Graduate Studies
• Approved By: Board of Graduate Studies, Senate, and Council
• Approval Date: December 2021
• Review Date: December 2024