Changing programs

These instructions are for current higher degree by research (HDR) students of the University wishing to change from a Masters to Doctorate by Research or vice versa, or wishing to change from one program to another program at the same level. Use the links here to see the information below:

Upgrading from Masters by Research to Doctorate by Research
Downgrading from Doctorate by Research to Masters by Research
Transferring from one program to another program at the same level
Transferring to the same program on a different campus

Upgrading from a Masters by Research to a Doctorate by Research

An upgrade from Masters by Research to a Doctoral Degree by Research may occur where a candidate who is enrolled in a Masters by Research program is undertaking research at such a standard that either the institution recommends that the candidate upgrade their degree to a Doctorate, or the candidate seeks to upgrade to a Doctorate and this is approved by the institution.

Research Degrees Committee considers applications to upgrade that have a recommendation from the Divisional Research Management Committee. An upgrade must be applied for on the 'Change of Program' form (see Variations to candidature forms) and must be accompanied by a new research proposal.

There must be no interval between the candidature for the Masters by Research degree and the Doctorate by Research degree unless the interval is covered by a period of approved leave of absence.

The research undertaken by the candidate while enrolled for the Masters by Research degree would either be continued for the Doctorate or modified to meet the requirements for a Doctorate.

Candidature will be limited to a maximum period of four years' entitlement, including the period of study undertaken towards the Masters by Research degree.

Downgrading from a Doctorate by Research to a Masters by Research

Where a candidate elects, or is required for academic or personal reasons, to change their candidature from a Doctorate by Research to a Masters by Research, he or she will be limited to a maximum period of two years’ candidature. If the candidate has already held a place for more than two years at the time of downgrading to a Masters by Research degree, he or she will not be entitled to any further Commonwealth funding.

Research Degrees Committee considers applications to downgrade that have a recommendation from the Divisional Research Management Committee. A change from Doctorate to Masters by Research must be applied for on the 'Change of Program' form (see Variations to candidature forms).

There must be no interval between the candidature for the Doctorate by Research and the Masters by Research degree unless the interval is covered by a period of approved leave of absence.

The research undertaken by the candidate while enrolled for the Doctorate by Research degree would either be continued or modified to meet the requirements for a Masters by Research.

Transferring from one program to another program at the same level

This means either:

changing from a Masters by Research degree to another Masters by Research degree or
changing from a Doctorate by Research degree to another Doctorate by Research degree.

Research Degrees Committee considers applications to transfer to a different program at the same level that have a recommendation from the Divisional Research Management Committee. A transfer of program must be applied for on the 'Change of Program' form (see Variations to candidature forms) and must be accompanied by a research proposal.

There must be no interval between the candidature for the current degree and the new degree unless the interval is covered by a period of approved leave of absence.

The research undertaken by the candidate while enrolled for the current degree would either be continued or modified to meet the requirements of the new program.

Candidature will not be extended to accommodate the change to the new degree.

Transferring to the same program on a different campus

This type of transfer may occur when a candidate’s Principal Supervisor moves to a different Division/Institute/Whyalla and the candidate transfers with the Principal Supervisor, or when a candidate is required to change supervisors and continue the research at a different campus.

Research Degrees Committee considers applications to transfer program at the same level that have a recommendation from the Divisional Research Management Committee. A transfer of program must be applied for on the 'Change of Program' form (see Variations to candidature forms).