Please ensure that you communicate early, and openly, with your supervisory team if you want to make changes to your enrolment.
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 your Faculty Student Advisor.
Changes to:
Timeline changes:
Course changes:
Part-time/full-time study
You may be able to request to change your mode of study. There are two usual modes of study for research students:
- 1.0 EFTS (full-time);
- 0.65 EFTS (part-time).
Please discuss any change to your enrolment with your supervisory team, as part-time study may not be permitted in some programmes. It is expected that an application for a Change to Mode of Study will include a revised plan for thesis completion. This plan must have been reviewed by your senior supervisor.
A Change to Mode of Study will affect your thesis final submission date, as this date is based on a specified number of EFTS from first enrolment. You will be informed of your adjusted final submission date if your request is approved.
Research master's students should discuss this with their supervisors and Graduate Research Coordinator before applying for a change in mode of study.
Change of supervisors
You can request a change to your supervisory team. This may be:
- an addition, replacement or removal of a supervisor (please note the supervisory team must have at least two and up to 4 members)
- a switch in role (i.e. form senior to associate or vice versa)
- a change in EFTS allocations amongst the existing team
If you add supervisors who are not UC staff, your Senior Supervisor may also need to arrange for an to be completed.
Suspensions
If you are unable to study for periods of a month or more you may apply for a suspension, during which you will not be required to pay fees. Note however, that scholarship payments will also not be made over such periods and that suspensions of three months or more may have consequences for international students who hold study visas. Please discuss any potential suspension with your supervisory team before submitting an application. Applications should be approved prior to the period of suspension. If you would like to know more about applying for a suspension, you should discuss this with a Faculty Student Advisor.
Extensions
If you would like to request an extension to a milestone, you can do this by completing the Extension to Milestone Form. Extensions can only be applied for in whole months, and for a minimum period of one month. Please submit your application as soon as possible and prior to the current milestone due date.
Please note that being granted an extension to the completion of the one milestone does not automatically result in an extension to other milestone due dates, including the final submission date of your thesis.
If an Extension is being requested on medical grounds, a medical certificate must be provided in support of the request.
Transfer or change of qualification
It is possible to transfer from one doctoral programme to another however there are several things we would encourage students to consider with their supervisory team before making an application:
- difference in expectations
- potential changes to the supervisory team
- ability to transfer scholarships
Change to a master's degree: As the first step in this process, you will need to talk with we recommended talking with your supervisor regarding your research to date and how feasible it would be to rescope this into a master’s qualification.
Do keep in mind that some master’s programmes have higher fees than annual doctoral enrolment and international students need to be mindful of the difference between domestic and international costs. The Master of Philosophy is charged at the same fees at an annual doctoral enrolment and this charge is the same for domestic and international students. You can review the Master of Philosophy requirements here.
International students: If approved into a master’s you will be undertaking a change of programme which will impact your current visa, so do discuss with Immigration New سԹon how this will impact your current student visa, and if you will need to reapply.
You are encouraged to contact a kaitoko | Research Student Advisor to discuss your options.
Transfer from masters to PhD | سԹ for more information about upgrading to a PhD, or contact Te Kura Tāura with any questions.
Withdrawal from a thesis
You are able to withdraw from your thesis at any point during your candidature. Please have a detailed discussion regarding your situation and options with your supervisory team and a Faculty Student Advisor before completing your request to withdraw.
