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Variations to candidature

Faculty of Engineering postgraduates may need to vary their candidature for a number of reasons, including transferring from Masters to Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) candidature, suspending their research program due to illness or for personal reasons, taking maternity or sick leave, and applying to write their thesis away from the university. Each is described in brief below, with links given to further information.

1. Appointment of supervisor(s)


2. Variation to supervision arrangements

It is a requirement that supervisor details be changed if your main supervisor is going to be away for six weeks or more.
3. Transfer from masters to PhD candidature

If you are enrolled as a masters candidate and you believe that the scope, depth and originality of your work might be suitable for a doctoral thesis, you may apply to transfer to PhD candidature. In this case you will need to follow the procedures here:
4. Conversion from part-time to full-time or full-time to part-time enrolment


5. Intermission

The Research Degrees Committee may grant masters candidates periods of intermission of up to twelve months if there are valid grounds (for example, extended illness or absence overseas). A written application for intermission, supported by the supervisor, must be submitted to the Research Degrees Committee via the Graduate Studies Officer.
6. Extension

The Research Degrees Committee may grant extensions of time to masters candidates who have made good progress but are unable to complete within the prescribed maximum time. The total time of extensions may not exceed twelve months and again, a written application, including documentation of illness and so on with support from the supervisor.
7. Studying away from the university

Research candidates often find that they need to spend some time studying away from the university due to the need to collect data, undertake fieldwork or make use of research facilities in another locations. Masters candidates who need to study away from the university should make an application in writing and supported by their supervisor to the Research Degrees Committee.
8. Writing up away from the University

Doctoral candidates are normally required to remain at the university until they have submitted their thesis. However a candidate may apply for writing up away status provided that the supervisor and head of school have certified in writing to the Research Degrees Committee and the Research Graduate School Committee that the candidate has completed a satisfactory first draft of the thesis. Candidates who are granted writing-up away status are required to maintain their enrolment until the thesis is submitted even if this requires their re-enrolment during this period.
9. Sick/Maternity leave

Masters candidates may apply for a period of sick or maternity leave by making a written application to the Research Degrees Committee, including full documentation of illnesses and the support of their supervisor.
10. Withdrawal from candidature


Further information

Please contact the Faculty of Engineering, Graduate Studies Officer.