Changes to your PhD
This page explains how to make changes to your:
- research topic
- department/school
- supervision
- full-time/part-time, and
- how to transfer from PhD to master’s
Research topic
You may find that your thesis research topic changes as your research progresses.
Minor changes of topic or research emphasis may be approved by your department.
Significant changes of topic require the approval of the Dean of Postgraduate Research. Supervision arrangements may need to be changed or the change may lead to you requiring an extension of your final submission date.
You should:- apply in writing to the Dean of Postgraduate Research
- include evidence that your department supports your change of topic
Department/school
You may decide to change the department or school you are based in for a variety of reasons.
Before this change can occur you require the permission of the Dean of Postgraduate Research.
You should:- apply in writing to the Dean of Postgraduate Research
- include evidence that your supervisory team supports the change
Supervision
During your PhD, changes to your research topic, or of academic staff in your department may make it necessary to change your supervisory team.
Changes to your supervisory team following the registration of your research proposal, must be approved by the Dean of Postgraduate Research.
You must apply by downloading and completing the form below.
Once complete you should submit this form to the Dean of Postgraduate Research.
Full-time/part-time
It is expected that you should be enrolled in your PhD on a full-time basis unless there is good reason for you to be enrolled in a part-time basis. The most common acceptable reasons are:
- Employment (you must provide evidence that you are employed for at least 20 hours per week on a regular basis and a statement from your employer that you will be able to pursue satisfactorily the necessary study and research.)
- Sole or principal responsibility for the care of young children
- A chronic health condition or disability that makes full-time study impossible (you must provide evidence from your health professional supporting your need to enrol on a part-time basis)
There are provisions within the PhD regulations for you to change your enrolment status throughout you PhD.
You should:- apply in writing to the Dean of Postgraduate Research requesting the change
- outline the reason for requesting the change and supply the necessary supporting evidence with your application
- arrange for your supervisor to either co-sign your application or provide a separate letter stating that they support your application
- your final submission date will be adjusted to reflect the change.
- the Enrolments Office will be notified of the change to your enrolment and will adjust your tuition fees accordingly.
Transfer from PhD to master’s
This is only an option early on in your PhD studies. This isn't an option if you're finding it difficult to complete your PhD within the timelimits.
If you do transfer, the start date for your master’s thesis will be backdated to the start of your PhD.
Talk with your HOD/HOS and supervisor first and find out the maximum time limit for a master’s thesis in your department/school.
For more information about master’s theses please see the Guidelines for Master’s theses.
To transfer from PhD to master’s you should advise the Dean of Postgraduate Research in writing.
The Postgraduate Office will arrange for your file to be transferred to the appropriate College Office and the Enrolment Office will be advised of your change of enrolment.