Enrolment, leave and changes to candidature

HDR structure and requirements

Whether you’re completing a PhD or Master by Research, your degree pathway follows the same basic structure.

You’ll be required to complete three milestone reviews throughout your candidature:

• Confirmation of Candidature
• Second Milestone Review
• Third Milestone Review.

Each milestone is a stepping stone towards submission and examination.

At the start of your candidature, you are required to complete several compulsory research courses. You may also require ethics approval to do your research.

Leave 

Annual leave 

The academic year for RMIT HDR candidates is 48 weeks with 4 weeks annual leave. Annual leave does not change your enrolment, your duration of candidature or affect your milestone due dates, unlike a leave of absence (see below). 

Negotiate annual leave with your supervisory team. No formal application is needed.  

Leave of absence 

You can take up to 12 months’ leave of absence during your candidature. This leave can be used to cover medical, compassionate or compelling circumstances. You can also take an additional 6 months of parental leave for each child born or adopted during your candidature.  

If you have a scholarship or sponsorship, ensure you check the terms and conditions before applying for a leave of absence.

Contact your Ethics Coordinator to discuss how your leave of absence might affect your ethics approval (if you have one). 

To apply, go to Leave of absence and follow the instructions for RMIT University – Higher Degree by Research (HDR) students.

Extensions

Extensions beyond maximum duration 

If you are unable to submit by your final submission date, you can apply for an extension beyond maximum for up to three months (full-time equivalent) extension to your candidature at a time.

Multiple extensions are only granted in exceptional circumstances. 

All extensions beyond maximum duration require a Candidate Action and Support Plan (CASP). A CASP ensures you receive the support you need. 

To request an extension beyond maximum duration, arrange a CASP in partnership with your supervisory team and HDR Delegated Authority. Select “Candidate requires extension beyond maximum to the end date of this CASP” on the CASP form. 

If you require a subsequent extension, you’ll need to submit a new CASP. Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation) approval is needed. 

Changes to candidature

Changing study load 

An HDR candidate can be either full-time or part-time. Full-time commitment averages at least four days per week and part-time commitment averages at least two days per week. 

If you receive a scholarship, contact the Scholarships Team or your external scholarship provider to discuss the impact of changing study load. 

The rules for changing study load vary according to your citizenship status.

Domestic candidates (Australian or New Zealand citizens or Australian permanent residents) 

Submit a request to change load with written approval from your Senior Supervisor to Research Training Services via the Student Connect portal. 

International candidates 

There are strict rules governing study load for international students. To move to part-time study for 6 months at a time, international students must demonstrate compassionate or compelling circumstances.

Submit the Request to Reduce Enrolment Load Form with supporting documentation demonstrating compassionate or compelling circumstances to Research Training Services via the Student Connect portal. 

Changing your supervision arrangements

Learn about making the most of your supervisory relationships.

To request a change in your supervision team, discuss this with your current and proposed supervisory team and your HDR Delegated Authority (HDR DA). Your Senior Supervisor must submit a change of supervisory arrangement request via the Supervisor Intranet.

If you have any questions, please contact the Research Training Services Team via the Student Connect Portal.

Changing research topic, thesis title or Field of Research codes 

Changing research topic 

Sometimes during your research, you might find your chosen research topic needs to change. This could be for practical or personal reasons. Discuss the issues with your supervisory team and your HDR Delegated Authority (HDR DA). Changing your topic won’t change your milestone and final submission dates. 

Address major changes at your next milestone presentation

Major changes require approval from the School of Graduate Research. Your HDR DA will apply for approval on your behalf. Candidates from sanctioned countries will need to undergo a sanctions assessment on their revised project. 

Changing thesis title or Field of Research codes 

To change your thesis title or Field of Research (FoR) code/s seek approval from your Senior Supervisor and submit evidence of their approval to Research Training Services via the Student Connect portal.

Changing location

If you change your address during your candidature, you must Update your personal details with RMIT. 

If you are moving overseas for a period of longer than 3 months, you must also complete and submit the Leaving Australia Form.

If you need to move overseas during your candidature, you should first: 

• Talk to your Supervisory Team. They need to be confident you can receive proper supervision, support and resources in your new location.
• If you hold a student visa, you must contact the Department of Home Affairs to discuss any potential impacts to your visa. 
• If you hold a scholarship, contact the Scholarships Team or your external scholarship provider to find out if your move will affect your scholarship.

If you are currently based overseas and relocating to Australia, you must complete and submit the Relocating to Australia Form.

Cancelling enrolment

Cancelling enrolment 

If you want to withdraw completely from your studies, there are steps you must take before you cancel your enrolment: 

• You must discuss your options with your supervisory team and/or HDR Delegated Authority (HDR DA). 
• If you’re stressed, anxious or experiencing difficulties in your life that interfere with your studies, consider accessing RMIT’s range of support services to help. They include counselling, study support, legal support and financial support. 
• Consider taking a leave of absence rather than withdrawing completely. 
• If you’re receiving a scholarship, contact the Scholarships Team or your external scholarship provider. 
• Back up all files. You will immediately lose access to RMIT systems and RMIT student email. 
• Review all the information on the Cancel your program enrolment page carefully.

If you have any questions, contact Research Training Services via the Student Connect portal.

Once you’ve completed all the above steps, cancel your enrolment in Enrolment Online. 
 

Readmission 

If your enrolment was cancelled, there are two possible pathways for readmission: 

Readmission within maximum duration 

If you had candidature remaining at the time of cancellation, you can apply for readmission within the maximum duration. Discuss this decision with your supervisory team (or HDR DA if they’re no longer available) before applying. 

Apply for readmission via the RMIT University Application Service with your supporting documentation. If RMIT approve your readmission, we’ll send you a new offer letter with instructions on how to accept your offer and complete the online enrolment process.

Readmission for the purpose of examination 

You can apply for readmission for the purpose of examination within three years of your cancellation date. 

Contact your former Senior Supervisor (or HDR DA if they’re no longer available) outlining that your research is ready for examination, still current and not superseded. 

If approved for readmission, you will receive a new offer letter with instructions on how to accept your offer and complete the online enrolment process.

Scholarships

Scholarship end dates

You can view your scholarship end date in Enrolment Online.

If you rely solely on your scholarship to complete your research degree, it is crucial to plan your research to ensure completion before your scholarship expires. 
 

Conditions of award

For externally funded scholarship, refer to the terms and conditions of your scholarship or contact your provider further details.

All RMIT-managed scholarships are subject to the same terms and conditions. These include specific rules regarding employment and the circumstances under which a change to part-time candidature may be permitted. Please review these terms carefully before requesting any adjustments to your study load. 
 

Duration of scholarship

The duration of your scholarship is outlined in your offer letter. All centrally awarded scholarships, included RTP, RMIT and VCPS scholarships are three years and six months for a candidate undertaking research doctorate studies, and two years for a candidate undertaking research masters studies. 

The duration of a stipend scholarship will be reduced by any periods of study undertaken:

• towards the degree prior to the commencement of scholarship
• towards the degree during suspension of the stipend scholarship (unless the study was undertaken overseas as part of a Commonwealth Government financially supported international postgraduate research scholarship or award)
• previously while receiving an Australian postgraduate coursework award.

In managing your candidature, it is important to be clear about when your scholarship commenced and will come to an end.

Scholarship extensions

RMIT may, at its discretion and on a case-by-case basis, grant a single stipend extension of up to three months. Senior supervisors may submit a request for the extension to SGR on behalf of the candidate. 

To be considered for an extension:

• the candidate and supervisory team must prepare a Candidate Action and Support Plan, outlining how the candidate will be supported during the extended period of funded support
• The plan should demonstrate a clear path towards submission within the requested extension period
• Stipend extensions should only be requested for candidates who are making good progress towards submission
• Candidates who have not successfully completed the third Milestone are ineligible to apply for a stipend extension.

Program transfers

There are three types of program transfer:

• Same level transfer (Masters to Masters or PhD to PhD transfer)
• Masters to PhD transfer
• PhD to Masters transfer.

To be eligible to transfer your program you must:

• Meet the entry requirements of the program you are applying for
• PhD candidates must have consumed less than 3 EFTSL and Masters candidates less than 1 EFTSL; transfers after this may only occur in exceptional circumstances
• Where a transfer after EFTSL is approved, you will need to submit for examination or cancel your enrolment within 10 working days of the transfer being processed. 
   

Apply for a program transfer

Same level

Discuss your transfer application with your supervisory team (and proposed supervisory team if a change of supervisor will also occur). This must happen before you reach 3 EFTSL (PhD) or 1 EFTSL (Masters).

Submit your change of program request through Studylink. A copy of your milestone outcome and any other required transfer documentation should be uploaded to the system when you submit your application.

You will be sent an offer letter for your new program and advised to accept your offer and enrol. International candidates studying in Australia on a student visa are also sent a new Confirmation of Enrolment (eCOE) for visa purposes.

Masters to PhD transfer

Discuss your transfer application with your supervisory team (and proposed supervisory team if a change of supervisor will also occur). You usually discuss this at your Masters Confirmation of Candidature to make sure you have enough time to prepare for your PhD Confirmation of Candidature (this should be undertaken before 1 EFTSL).

You present your milestone review, and if it is Achieved, you submit your change of program request through Studylink. A copy of your milestone outcome and any other required transfer documentation should be uploaded to the system when you submit your application.

You will be sent an offer letter for your new program and advised to accept your offer and enrol. International candidates studying in Australia on a student visa are also sent a new Confirmation of Enrolment (eCOE) for visa purposes.

PhD to Masters transfer

Discuss your transfer application with your supervisory team (and proposed supervisory team if a change of supervisor will also occur). This can happen at any time during candidature but generally before you reach 2 EFTSL.

You present your milestone review, and if it is Achieved, you submit your change of program request through Studylink. A copy of your milestone outcome and any other required transfer documentation should be uploaded to the system when you submit your application.

You will be sent an offer letter for your new program and advised to accept your offer and enrol. International candidates studying in Australia on a student visa are also sent a new Confirmation of Enrolment (eCOE) for visa purposes.
 

Program Transfer FAQs

Do you need to complete a milestone to transfer at the same level?

This is not usually required for same level transfers; however, the proposed new School may request copies of all completed milestone documentation as part of their assessment of your transfer.

What milestone do I have to complete for a Masters to PhD transfer?

You must complete a PhD-level Confirmation of Candidature to demonstrate that the project can be expanded in scope to PhD-level. Confirmation and Second milestone reviews have different requirements in the different programs - a Masters Second milestone is not equivalent to a PhD Confirmation.

Which milestone is due next after I transfer to a PhD?

The Second milestone review will be the next milestone for the candidate in the PhD. The candidate must complete all three PhD-level milestones to be eligible to submit for examination.

If I want to transfer from a PhD to Masters, which milestone needs be completed?

You must complete a Masters-level milestone review to demonstrate that your project can be decreased in scope to Masters-level.

Will my scholarship/sponsorship be extended if I transfer to a PhD program?

No. You must discuss your proposed transfer with your provider before you submit your application/present your milestone as your scholarship/sponsorship may not apply to the new program if you complete the transfer process. If you are sponsored, you may not be permitted to transfer between programs (Masters to PhD or PhD to Masters) - you must check with your sponsor.