Candidature FAQs
Please note there are changes to Graduate Research policies and procedures from 7 October 2026 that may impact the information on this page.
Please refer to policy changes page on DeakinHub for details.
Let the Researcher Development Academy assist with your candidature with these common topics.
How do I get my username and password?
Instructions on how to obtain your username and password can be found in the PDF file attached to your 'Welcome to Deakin' email. Information is also available via IT Help.
I can't log on. My username or password is not working. What should I do?
Contact IT Help with all username or password related issues.
I am enrolled and have my username and password. What is the next step?
You need to contact and arrange a meeting with your principal supervisor. Your principal supervisor is named in your letter of offer. Visit the My Candidature webpage to view more information about your candidature details and requirements.
I need evidence of my enrolment at Deakin. Who should I contact?
Please email the RDA Current Candidature team and request a letter of enrolment, also referred to as a candidature statement. They will send you this letter as a PDF via email.
What is a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)?
A Confirmation of Enrolment is required for visa applications and compliance purposes for international candidates. Information on CoE can be found a compliance and visas web page.
How do I get a new Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)?
If you are an international onshore candidate and approval has been granted for you to extend your candidature or to intermit, you will be issued a new CoE. The new CoE will be sent to you via email shortly after your application has been approved. If you do not receive your CoE within a fortnight after your intermission or extension was approved or you require it urgently, please contact the RDA Current Candidature team.
What are the course learning outcomes for a PhD and Masters at Deakin?
All research degrees at Deakin meet Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) standards. This is to ensure national recognition and consistency as well as common understanding across Australia of what defines each qualification and is recognized by other countries. Details of the course learning outcomes for both PhD and Masters can be obtained from HDR course learning outcomes (PDF, 535.7 KB).
What coursework unit do I need to be enrolled in?
In most cases, your coursework unit will be outlined in your offer letter. For graduate researchers enrolled in the Faculty of Health, the coursework unit will be determined on commencement of your course in discussion with your supervisor and Graduate Research Coordinator.
How do I find out when I have to complete this unit?
You need to contact your Supervisor and/or Unit Chair for details and requirements regarding the unit completion. You can get preliminary information about the unit in the University Handbook.
How do I access my coursework unit materials?
Your Faculty or Unit Chair will send you details about your enrolled unit once you start. You can also view the coursework unit material when you login to CloudDeakin. If you are not sure you should contact your supervisor or Graduate Research Coordinator
I can’t complete the assignment in time, can I withdraw from the unit?
If you withdraw before the Trimester census date, WE (Withdrawn Early) will be recorded against the unit but it won’t appear in your transcript. For withdrawals after the census date, WL (Withdrawn Late) or WN (Withdrawn Fail) will be recorded against the unit and will appear in your transcript. Please see the withdrawal dates and penalties webpages for domestic students or international students for more information.
What happens if I fail the unit?
Each unit has different unit requirements. Please check with the Unit Chair or your Faculty for more information.
What is intermission and how does it work?
Intermission is a formal break from your studies. Your candidature is paused and you are not permitted to undertake any studies during this time. Intermission will not normally be approved for periods greater than 12 months except in exceptional circumstances or in the first 12 months of candidature. Intermission cannot be taken retrospectively.
If you are the recipient of a scholarship, your scholarship payments may be suspended, but this will depend on the reason you are intermitting. You need to check the Terms and Conditions of your scholarship for payment suspension.
You should discuss any plans for intermission with your supervisor.
On campus international candidates: Before you start the online form, you must have an interview with an International Student Support Officer (ISSO) to discuss how the intermission may affect your student visa. Please email us with your Deakin email and include your mobile phone number so that we can contact you to organise an appointment.
How do I apply for Intermission?
You can apply for intermission via the intermission of candidature online form.
Can I extend my intermission using the previous intermission form?
No. You will need to submit a new intermission application via the intermission of candidature online form and provide relevant supporting documents or justification for extending your current intermission.
I want to return early from my intermission. What should I do?
Email the RDA Current Candidature team with the date you wish to return. If you are a scholarships recipient, you should also email the RDA Admissions and Scholarships team to ensure your scholarship is recommenced. You will receive an acknowledgement email from the candidature team and the scholarships office confirming your return date.
How do I know if my intermission has been approved?
You will be notified via email once an outcome of your intermission application has been decided. This generally takes 1-2 weeks. You can view the form's progress at any stage by selecting the intermission form and entering your Deakin username and password. If your application is urgent please email the RDA Current Candidature team.
I want to amend my intermission application?
To amend or delete existing form please email the RDA Current Candidature team.
How do I complete the compulsory Graduate Research Induction?
The Graduate Research Induction is completed by viewing th online research induction materials available in CloudDeakin and then completing the Graduate Researcher Induction quiz. More information can be found on Induction webpage.
Do I need to complete the Research Integrity Training?
All graduate researchers must complete online research integrity training through CloudDeakin. The training must be completed prior to confirmation of candidature.
Where can I find information about research training and workshops?
Deakin offers a wide range of training for graduate researchers. A catalogue of training components can be found through the Individual Learning Plan. Further information can be found on the researcher development section of the DeakinHub.
Who can I talk to for information on conference funding?
Conference funding is available directly from your School/Faculty. Please view the Graduate Research contacts page to contact your School Graduate Research Coordinator or faculty administrative staff for further information.
Who approves any changes to my candidature?
All changes to candidature applications require approval from your supervisor, Graduate Research Coordinator and the Pro Vice Chancellor Researcher Development.
To amend or delete existing form please email the RDA Current Candidature team.
Under what circumstances can I extend my candidature?
Requests for extension shall be made according to the Researcher Development Academy processes. An extension will be approved only when you, supported by your supervisor and Graduate Research Coordinator, demonstrates that you have already made substantial progress toward completion, and have set out an achievable plan for completion within the requested extension period.
How do I change from full time to part time of vice versa?
You can apply to change your mode of study from full-time to part-time and vice versa by submitting a change of candidature online form.
Please note: International candidates who are on a student visa and who are enrolled on-campus can only change to part-time candidature under compassionate and compelling circumstances. You should consult with an International Student Support Officer (ISSO) to determine whether transfer to part-time will be approved in your specific circumstances.
How do I change my campus?
You can apply to change your campus from off campus to on campus and vice versa by submitting a change of candidature online form.
How do I apply to change my research degree? (for example from a PhD to a research Masters, or vice versa?)
Pease complete the transfer between research degrees online form or contact the RDA Current Candidature team. Please note that some candidates in specific masters degrees may not meet the eligibility requirements for admission to a doctoral degree.
The process of transferring degrees is outlined in the HDR Admission, Selection and Enrolment procedure.
Where a candidate transfers between graduate research degrees, the time spent in the initial degree(s) is counted towards the maximum duration of the new degree.
How do I change my research topic?
You can apply to change your research topic by submitting a change of research topic online form. Please note the title must be a maximum of 10 words, but excluding words such as "and", "to", "of" “the” etc. Minor changes to the wording do not require approval and can be made via emailing the RDA Current Candidature team.
I have been granted permanent residency (PR). Who should I contact?
Email evidence of your permanent residency to a the RDA Current Candidature team to update your residency status in our records and central student database.
How do I know if my submitted changes to candidature has been approved?
You will be notified via email once an outcome of your application has been decided. This generally takes 1-2 weeks. You can view the form's progress at any stage by selecting the relevant online form and entering your Deakin username and password. If your application is urgent please email the RDA Current Candidature team.
Am I entitled to annual leave?
Yes. All graduate researchers are entitled to 20 days annual leave per year. This can be arranged between you and your supervisor and does not need to be reported to the Researcher Development Academy.
Am I allowed to work during my candidature?
Graduate researchers might be permitted to undertake employment during their candidature;
- If you are a full-time domestic (both candidature and scholarship) candidate your average work hours should be no more than an average of 6 hours per week, provided the work does not interfere with the progress of your research program. Approval must be sought for periods of part-time work amounting to the average of more than 6 hours per week. The Graduate Research Coordinator must certify that the work does not interfere with the progress of the research and the statement must be lodged with Deakin’s Researcher Development Academy.
- If you are a part time domestic candidate there is no work limit specified.
- If you are an international candidate please refer to your visa conditions.
I am thinking of withdrawing. Who should I contact?
Withdrawal from candidature is a serious decision. We strongly encourage you to discuss this at length with your supervisor or Graduate Research Coordinator or the RDA Current Candidature team.
What are the steps for withdrawing?
Once you have made your decision to withdraw, you need to complete your withdrawal from within ResearchPoint.
I want to transfer to another institution and need to withdraw. What do I do?
If you are transferring to another institution you need to formally withdraw from Deakin by following the above steps. Contact the RDA Current Candidature team to provide you with a withdrawal statement.
What is a withdrawal statement?
Withdrawal statement contains your candidature details. Such as start and end dates, study mode, any noted intermission, scholarship (if applicable), consumed EFTSL and other relevant candidature information.
I'm struggling and need help. What are my options?
They may be health, family, personal, study or outside work-related issues. You should first talk to your supervisor or Graduate Research Coordinator or alternatively utilise another support service at Deakin such as:
I am a current candidate. Can I apply for a scholarship?
Current graduate researchers can apply for a centrally funded scholarship. For information please refer to the page research training program/Deakin University postgraduate scholarship page or contact the RDA Current Candidature team.
I have a question about the annual review. Where can I get answers?
If you are still expected to complete an online annual review during 2026 (as part of the revised progress review procedure transition plan), answers to frequently asked questions about the annual review process can be found on the Annual Review FAQs for students webpage.
I'm need help managaing my candidature forms in ResearchPoint. Where can I get answers?
New Candidature Management Forms (CMF) are available ResearchPoint.
The following forms are available:
- Intermission and Leave (including new functionality to submit personal leave requests)
- Change of Candidature
- Extension of Candidature / Extension of Scholarship
- Change of Research Topic
- Candidature Engagement Form
- Candidature Withdrawal
These forms will enable candidates to submit requests online, with workflows routing to relevant approvers. For assistance, please use the following instrcutions or contact the Research Education and Development Team.