Change Study Plan

If a graduate research student wishes to make changes to their supervisory panel, thesis title or study rate, they must consult with their supervisory panel first. Upon receiving approval from the principal supervisor, graduate research students must submit a change of candidature form for principal supervisor and Faculty RAO endorsement. If the Faculty RAO does not endorse the request, the Faculty must communicate the outcome to the graduate research student with an explanation and course of action. Once the Faculty RAO has endorsed the application to make the changes, the Faculty submits the form to GRS for final approval and processing. For change of study rate, completed request must be submitted to GRS by research census date in each session. Once the request is completed, GRS provides confirmation to the graduate research student in writing. In the case of a request not being approved by the Faculty RAO, the student may lodge a request to review the application to Dean, GRS within five working days of outcome being communicated.

Recognition of prior learning

If you are seeking credit recognition for mandatory coursework, you will need to submit a supervisor approved credit recognition form to your faculty RAO, along with official academic transcripts, qualifications and any other documentary evidence that supports your application. If approved, the faculty RAO will forward the completed form to GRS, which must happen before the census date of the session.

Changing your study load

To change from part-time to full-time study (or vice-versa), you will first need to discuss this with your supervisory panel. Once you are ready, you will need to complete a Change of study load online form in ResearchMaster. Once you submit the online form, it will automatically be forwarded to your principal supervisor and then the RAO for endorsement before it reaches GRS for processing. This must be done within the session of the requested change and before the research census date.  Once the form has been submitted, you can login to ResearchMaster to track its status.

Changing your supervisory panel

To make changes to your supervisory panel, you will need to consult with them first. If approved, you then complete a Change of Supervisor Form for your principal supervisor and RAO to endorse and send to GRS for processing. This must be done within the session of the requested change and before the research census date.

Change of thesis title

To change your thesis title, you will first need to discuss this with your supervisory panel. Once you are ready, you will need to complete a Change of thesis title online form in ResearchMaster. Once you submit the online form, it will automatically be forwarded to your principal supervisor and then the RAO for endorsement before it reaches GRS for processing. This must be done within the session of the requested change and before the research census date.  Once the form has been submitted, you can login to ResearchMaster to track its status.

Changing your course details

If you’re a PhD student wishing to downgrade to a master’s degree, or a master’s student wishing to upgrade to a PhD, you will need to submit one of the following forms before the next coursework census date:

• Upgrade from a master’s to doctoral degree form 
• Downgrade from a doctoral to a master’s degree form

For more information, please see Graduate Research Candidature Management Thesis Preparation Submission Procedures and Variation of Candidature

Changing your residency status

If your residency status changes, you will need to complete a Change of residency online form in ResearchMaster. Once you submit the online form, it will automatically be forwarded to your principal supervisor and then the RAO for endorsement before it reaches GRS for processing. This must be done before the research census date and the changes will be reflected in the next session of your degree.  Once the form has been submitted, you can login to ResearchMaster to track its status.