If you wish to change your research topic after candidature has commenced, you must first discuss the matter with your principal supervisor and head of academic unit or institute director. Details should be provided of the relationship between work on the original topic and the new topic, and particularly how the change will influence the submission date of your thesis. Depending upon the extent of the change, approval may be required.

Changes to research topic, and minor changes to the wording of the project title can be requested online via ResearchPoint. Topic titles must be a maximum of ten words, excluding words such as ‘and’, ‘to’, ‘of', ‘the’ ,'an', 'a', and acronyms should be avoided. For a change of research topic, approval must be obtained before work commences in a changed research topic.

Please refer to the Higher Degrees by Research (HDR) Candidature Procedure for further information, including the rules relating to change in research topic.

Iranian national students applying for a change in thesis focus/topic, or a course transfer require approval from the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP). Students must complete Form 1221 for assessment and evidence of approval from DIBP must be provided with the change application before the change can be approved by the Executive Dean or Pro Vice Chancellor (Research Development and Integrity).

Please use this form to extend your candidature time. An application for an extension of candidature will only be approved if a detailed timetable for completion of the program is provided and a strong case is made that research has been delayed due to circumstances which are beyond the student's control and are related to the conduct of the research. Time spent on a placement or personal reasons, such as illness or family reasons, are not grounds for a candidature extension.

Requests for changes to the period of candidature should be made by applying online and must be supported by your principal supervisor and head of academic unit or institute director. Applications must be submitted before your candidature expires. It is recommended that you submit your application two months before your maximum completion date. Extensions are generally processed for a period of three months. All extensions are conditional upon engagement with a Progress Support Panel (PSP).

International students please note that an extension of candidature will have tuition fee implications. Please contact the Current candidature team to discuss your options before completing an online form.

Please complete this form to extend your scholarship. Extensions to doctoral scholarships where applicable (please refer to your individual scholarship terms and conditions) are limited to a maximum of six months (full time), and can only be allowed where the research has been delayed due to circumstances which are beyond the student's control and are related to the conduct of the research. Time spent on a placement or personal reasons, such as illness or family reasons, are not grounds for a scholarship extension. Masters scholarships cannot be extended.

Requests for extension of scholarship should be made by applying online and must be supported by your principal supervisor and head of academic unit or institute director. If you have any further questions about this process, please contact the Scholarships and admissions for advice. Applications must be submitted two months before your scholarship expires, as per the scholarship terms and conditions.

Candidates are expected to work on their research programs without interruption. However, circumstances (such as an extended period of illness or difficult personal problems) may occur which disrupt study. In this situation, it may be sensible to consider intermitting candidature until the problems are solved. Intermission will not generally be granted for more than twelve months in total over the whole candidature unless there are exceptional circumstances. Intermission cannot be taken retrospectively.

Information for all candidates

If you wish to apply for intermission of your candidature, you should first discuss the circumstances with your supervisor, head of academic unit or institute director, or the Current candidature team before applying online. The application should be supported by the principal supervisor and the head of academic unit or institute director. All work on the research must stop during the intermission of candidature.

Information for international on-campus candidates on a student visa

If you are an international on-campus candidate on a student visa, you must first discuss your intermission request with your supervisor and then meet with the International Student Support Team (ISS). At the time of your meeting with ISS, please ensure you can provide the completed GRC International Intermission Form (PDF, 354.1 KB). The form must be submitted as a digital PDF and included when you are applying online.

Intermission can only be approved on compassionate and compelling grounds as outlined in the ESOS National Code 2018.

Your scholarship payments may be suspended depending on the reason for intermission and scholarship terms and conditions, please contact the Admissions and Scholarships for advice. If intermission is approved, scholarship holders must email the Admissions and Scholarships team three weeks in advance of resuming study to avoid delays in payment of the scholarship. Please note that to apply for parental leave you will also need to submit an intermission of candidature online form.

On campus  international students must have an interview with an International Student Support Officer (ISSO) to discuss the effect of intermission on your student visa before you start the online form. Please request an appointment via ishdr@deakin.edu.au.

It is possible to transfer from a masters to a doctoral program under certain conditions. Masters students who have the necessary formal qualifications to undertake a doctoral program may transfer at any time if the project is suitable and the request is supported by the supervisor and head of academic unit or institute director. You must apply online.

It may also be possible to transfer from a masters to a doctoral program, without the prescribed formal entry qualifications, after the first full year of candidature. You must have demonstrated the ability to undertake research at doctoral level and a substantial written report will be required. The head of academic unit or institute director must be able to certify that you have achieved an academic standard equivalent to at least that of a bachelors degree with second class honours (upper division). The project must be suitable for a doctoral program, and the transfer must be supported by your principal supervisor and the head of academic unit or institute director .

Following approval of the transfer, the doctoral candidature is considered to date from the commencement of the masters candidature. Transfer between doctoral programs and from a doctoral to a masters is also possible. All encumbrances must be lifted before the transfer between degrees can be approved.

A student's supervisory panel may change throughout candidature. Examples for a change being required include: a supervisor leaving the University, another staff member has greater expertise in the research area or supervisory arrangements prove unsatisfactory.

You should approach the Candidature team for an informal discussion if a change in supervisory arrangements seems necessary for any reason. Such discussions, which will always be held in confidence if requested, are generally the best way to decide how to proceed.

Please note that a change of supervisor form can only be initiated by a school staff member which is usually the new or current principal supervisor. The Researcher Development Academy (RDA) or student cannot initiate this form.

Students are advised to apply for changes to candidature in advance of the change. With requests for intermission, these should be made at least two weeks in advance of the period of absence.