Variations to candidature

You may need to vary your candidature for a number of reasons, including transferring from masters to PhD candidature, suspending your research program due to illness or for personal reasons, taking maternity or sick leave, and applying to write your thesis away from the university. Each is described in brief below, with links given to further information. All applications for variation of candidature should be submitted through the faculty Research Programs Office.

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 the approval of your supervisor and then apply for admission to PhD candidature using the standard form available from the Monash Research Graduate School.

Intermission

Extension

The Graduate Studies 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. All applications for extensions of time must be in writing, include any supporting documentation and endorsement by the student's supervisor.

Doctoral candidates must apply for extension via the Monash Research Graduate School.

Suspension

Masters candidates may apply for a suspension of their candidature where they find they are temporarily unable to continue with their studies in any way.

Doctoral candidates must apply for suspension via the Monash Research Graduate School.

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, which is supported by their supervisor, to the Research Programs Manager.

Doctoral candidates must apply for studying away via the Monash Research Graduate School.

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 Graduate Studies 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.

Doctoral candidates must apply for writing-up away via the Monash Research Graduate School.

Sick/Maternity leave

Masters candidates may apply for a period of sick or maternity leave by making a written application to the Graduate Studies Committee, including full documentation of illnesses and the support of their supervisor.

Doctoral candidates must apply for sick/maternity leave via the Monash Research Graduate School.