Current research master's students

The milestone due dates depicted in the diagram above are those for the majority of full-time students. Most part-time students will have their Supervisory Agreement and Research Proposal due at 4 months, Progress Reports due at 10 months and then every 6 months after that, with Submission at 19 months. The following degrees follow a different reporting timeline, and students in these programmes should check with their Supervisor or Graduate Research Coordinator for this: ME with the course codes ENCM690, ENCI690, ENEQ690, MEFE, MET, MHIT, MMathSci, and MProdDesign.

Milestones are an important part of your research Master’s journey. They provide an opportunity to reflect upon your progress, plan and discuss your goals with your supervisory team, identify researcher development or support needs, and ensure you are connected with support systems in your Department/School, Faculty, and the University.

It is your responsibility to complete these required milestones. We suggest you review the Regulations relevant to your degree, and the Research Student Supervision Policy, to ensure that you fully understand the milestones. It is important to make a time to discuss your progress in relation to each milestone with your supervisory team, and consider your learning needs and goals. This process is important for you, your supervisory team, and the University, to monitor your progress. Enrolment, registration, and milestone approvals are managed by your Faculty.

If you have any questions about the processes, or require clarification, please contact your Faculty Student Advisors or Graduate Research Coordinators.

Milestones

• Enrolment: Your Senior Supervisor is confirmed, and you commence your studies.

• Appointment of Supervisors, Supervisory Agreement, and Research Proposal: Your full supervisory team is confirmed. Expectations related to your supervisory relationship are established and agreed. It is important that you talk with your supervisory team about all aspects of the Agreement. This will reduce the possibility of issues arising as your studies progress. The outline of your thesis is determined and resourcing confirmed. Your Senior Supervisor may also need to arrange for an External Supervisor Agreement to be completed if you have any supervisors who are not UC staff. 

• Progress Reports: These provide an opportunity for research students to: (a) review and track their progress against their overall project plan; (b) reflect upon research and development in past months and structure plans for the next part of the research journey; and (c) raise any issues or concerns regarding progress. The Progress Report is also a key means by which supervisors and the University monitor and evaluate your progress.

• Thesis Submission: You’ve done it! Complete the steps as outlined below and submit a pdf of your thesis to Te Kura Tāura

Requesting a change to your thesis enrolment

Sometimes your progress does not go as planned or exciting opportunities arise that you wish to pursue. In these instances there are a variety of options for you to consider in conjunction with your supervisory team. Please ensure that you communicate early, and openly, with your supervisory team. They will do their best to assist and connect you with appropriate supports across UC. Below are forms related to various options available to you. Each form contains a detailed description of the process, and what might be required to request various options. Discuss your application with your supervisory team, your Department/School Graduate Research Coordinator, or Faculty Student Advisor.

• Change to Mode of Study: Request a change between full-time and part-time enrolment. 

• Suspension: Request a complete break from your study, for a period of time greater than one month. 

• Extension to a Milestone: Request a longer period of time to complete a specific milestone, including extension to your final thesis submission date.  

• Change of Study Location: Apply to conduct your research from an alternative location for a period of one month or more. 

• Change of Supervisors: Request a change to your supervisory team. Your Senior Supervisor may also need to arrange for an External Supervisor Agreement to be completed if you have any supervisors who are not UC staff. 

• Transfer or Change of Qualification: To transfer to a PhD degree, or change your course code for a Master's degree. See Transfer from masters to PhD | University of Canterbury for more information.

• Withdrawal from a Thesis: Withdraw from your research studies entirely. 

Submission and Examination

Find out more here: Submitting your masters thesis | University of Canterbury. It is important that you ensure that you are enrolled and that your fees are up-to-date. International students should contact the Enrolments Team to discuss your visa situation, as you will no longer be enrolled following submission of a thesis. 

Please direct any queries regarding examinations to Te Kura Tāura, who administer the examination of master's theses. Please be aware that if a student's examination was started using older versions of forms, the older versions will need to be used throughout the examination process and the below links will not be suitable; please contact Te Kura Tāura staff if you need copies of legacy forms. 

• Thesis Submission and Use Form: This form needs to accompany your thesis submission when sent to the Graduate School inbox (graduateschool@canterbury.ac.nz)
• Appointment of Examiners: Your supervisor will complete this form to nominate your thesis examiners.
• Embargo and Secure Thesis Examination Request: Before submitting your thesis, discuss with your supervisors and the UC Library to determine if you may need to request an embargo or additional security requirements for your thesis examination.
• Master's Examiner Recommendation and Report: Each of your thesis examiners will be asked to complete a copy of this form. The report will be released to you along with your final grade, however the individual examiner recommendations are not released. 

Other information

• A Guideline to Including Publications within a Doctoral or Research Master’s Thesis
• Concerns and complaints for students 
• Financial and Enrolment Information – Doctorate, Master’s Thesis, and Dissertation Students Policy
• Graduate Research Coordinator list
• Library Subject Guide - Research
• Master’s Thesis Work Policy and Guidelines: This document details the guidelines and regulations governing all aspects of Master's Thesis work at the University of Canterbury. 
• Proof-reading and Editing Guidelines 
• Qualification Regulations
• Research Course Regulations: These Regulations apply to all research thesis papers of 90 points or more.
• Research Student Supervision Policy
• Selection of Thesis Examiners
• Thesis Availability Policy: This document describes the conditions under which theses are made available, and the conditions and procedures by which they may be embargoed. 
• Travel Insurance and Travel Advice for Graduate Research Students 
• Turnitin Guidelines
• Understanding your expectations of the supervisor-student relationship