Official guides / Student support & services

Milestones (Monash Malaysia)

Official source

Monash University Malaysia

Last checked: 25 Oct 2026 UTC

What this page covers

Milestones Management at Monash University Malaysia
Upcoming Milestone Presentation

Page text

Text and tables taken from the official page, with collapsed sections opened, so it can be read and searched here. Images and forms are not copied, so open the original page when you need to apply or submit something.

Milestones play an important role in your graduate research training. They are not only a mechanism for progress management; they are also a research development opportunity which facilitates the acquisition of the necessary skills to present your research to your academic peers.

Milestones are designed to support and facilitate your progress towards your thesis submission date, providing you with an opportunity to receive structured feedback on your progress to date. Each milestone's requirements are defined by your stage of research and may include requirements specific to your discipline.

Milestones Management at Monash University Malaysia

The establishment of MUMGRO does not affect the online systems used by academics, students, and professional staff for managing and reporting milestones. Generally, there are three types of milestones that graduate research students must complete (different Faculties may require additional milestones, for example, there may be a 1-month, 4-month or 6-month milestones depending on the course requirements). The three main milestones are :

Confirmation
Mid-Candidature Review / Progress Review
Pre-Submission Seminar / Final Review (for PhD candidature only)

Please refer to the below resource guide to learn more about scheduling, preparing and initiating your milestones.

Monash University Malaysia Centralised Milestone Management Resource Guide

Graduate Research Student Milestones Management Resource Guide 2025	Link
Graduate Research Student Milestones Task List 2025	Link
Main Supervisor Milestones Task List 2025	Link
Step-by-Step Guide to Completing the Milestone Form	Link
Step-by-Step Guide for Milestone Logistics Arrangement	Link
MUM Milestone Management Process Engagement Session – Presentation Deck (21 March 2025)	Link
MUM Milestone Management Process Engagement Session – Recording (21 March 2025)	Link

Upcoming Milestone Presentation

Milestone presentations by graduate research students are open seminars. You are strongly encouraged to attend these presentations to gain insights into your peers' research.

Starting from 1st April 2025, please refer to the centralised MUM GRS Milestones Calendar for upcoming milestone presentations. If you would like to subscribe to the calendar, please follow the step-by-step guide provided on slides 2-4.

What is GPA at Monash?

All campuses

GPA is calculated on a 4.0 scale from your grades rather than your marks: High Distinction 4.0, Distinction 3.0, Credit 2.0, Pass 1.0, Near pass 0.7, Fail and Hurdle fail 0.3, Withdrawn fail 0.0. Some results, such as SFR and NE, are not counted. Your GPA is shown in WES and on your transcript. Malaysia also uses a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) with different values: High Distinction 4.0, Distinction 3.67, Credit 2.85, Pass 2.15, Near pass 1.7, Fail and Hurdle fail 1.15, Withdrawn fail 0.0. It is not on your academic record, so you request a CGPA letter.

How do I withdraw from a unit?

Australia: withdraw through WES while enrolment changes are open. Before the census date there is no fee and no record; after it, you keep the fee liability and the unit shows as a withdrawal. If you are on a student visa you have study load requirements to maintain: Monash's study load page says you can reduce your load only in compassionate or compelling circumstances, unless you are in your final year and will finish within the time on your CoE. Malaysia: after the census date a withdrawn unit shows as WD-LATE or WD-FAIL, and the date you withdraw can affect fee refunds and your academic record. The last day to withdraw without academic penalty is before the WD-LATE date ends; the dates are in Monash Malaysia's Principal Dates. With a Student Pass, going below 24 credit points a semester is an underload: it needs approval, it can never go below 18 credit points, and below 18 you have to apply for intermission.

How many hours can I work on a student visa?

The rules are each country's, not Monash's, and they are different. Australia: work rights for student visa holders are set by the Australian Government, and the cap has changed several times in recent years. Monash's page links to the current Department of Home Affairs conditions - always confirm the number there before relying on it. Malaysia: with a Student Pass you may work only during semester breaks or public holidays of more than seven days, and for no more than 20 hours a week, at restaurants, petrol kiosks, mini markets or hotels; the page lists jobs that are not allowed. Every job has to be approved by the Immigration Department: you apply through the International Student Pass office and must be there in person when the application is submitted.