Changing attendance status (full-time/half-time)
You may change your attendance status if your circumstances change. With approval, you can switch between full-time and half-time at any point during your candidature.
Note:
- fast-paced research fields may not suit half-time enrolment
- your candidature expiry date will be affected.
To request a change, submit a Change of Load/Mode application with supporting documentation. Your application will be reviewed by your Principal Supervisor, School Approver, and the Graduate Research School.
Scholarship holders
Sscholarships require full-time enrolment. Domestic graduate research students may be eligible for half-time enrolment in specific circumstances. Check your Scholarship Conditions of Award or contact the Graduate Research School if you have questions.
Half-time scholarship holders receive a reduced stipend (50%) and are not exempt from tax. Seek tax advice before applying to change your attendance status to half-time.
International graduate research students
International graduate research students must maintain full-time enrolment while in Australia. Contact International Student Support to understand visa implications.
Changing attendance mode (internal/remote)
Remote candidature is available for graduate research students who, for academic reasons, are required to conduct interstate or overseas research away from Adelaide University.
Remote candidature must be approved by the Pro Vice Chancellor–Graduate Research Training and requires:
- a suitable research environment
- adequate infrastructure
- the appointment of an external supervisor, where appropriate
- access to financial support
- completion of your Initial Review.
Remote graduate research students must complete a Minor Review annually (due 15 April, in addition to all other progress reviews).
To apply, submit the below forms as applicable, available on the Student Forms page:
- application for remote candidature
- change of load/mode application
- change of supervisory panel (if adding an External Supervisor)
Joint award students
Joint award students must notify the Graduate Research School when arriving in or leaving Adelaide.
International graduate research students
Changing from internal to remote will cancel your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE), which may affect your visa. Contact the Department of Home Affairs for advice.
Study Away
If you are an internal graduate research student who would like to pursue approved short-term studies outside of the University, visit our Study Away page.
Completing your thesis outside the University
If you are considering completing your thesis away from campus, you will need to submit an Application to Write Up Outside.
To be eligible, you must have:
- completed at least one year of full-time study for a Master degree, or two years for a PhD
- finished all required experimental work (if applicable) and other research activities
- made sufficient progress to complete your thesis independently and to a satisfactory standard.
Your application must be supported by your supervisors and confirmed by your Graduate Research Coordinator or Dean of School.
If approved, you will be granted permission to write up off campus for a maximum of 12 months, or until the end of your candidature - whichever is shorter.
Please note:
- your candidature will lapse after this period
- extensions are not permitted, so plan your timeline carefully.
Transferring from a PhD to a Master of Philosophy
A PhD is a significant commitment-typically three to four years full-time. Some candidates may discover that their research direction has shifted, or that a doctoral-level project is no longer feasible within their timeframe. Others may decide that a research career is not their preferred path.
Whatever the reason, it is important to have open conversations with your supervisors. Transferring to a Master of Philosophy is a valid and respected outcome. It allows you to complete your research with a recognised postgraduate qualification that is valued by employers and provides a strong foundation for future study or scholarship applications.
Important considerations:
- Examiners cannot award a Master of Philosophy for a thesis submitted under PhD conditions if it does not meet doctoral standards.
- If your research is unlikely to reach PhD standard within the allowable timeframe, it is best to transfer before submission.
- Transfers are not permitted into the Master of Research program.
- Subject to approvals, you may transfer at any time prior to thesis submission.
Application process
- Discuss the change with your supervisors.
- Complete the Change of School/Program Plan form.
- Ensure your application includes:
- Principal Supervisor endorsement
- School approver endorsement
- any relevant documentation (e.g. revised research scope and timeline to thesis submission).
Once your transfer to the Master of Philosophy is approved, your maximum candidature duration and Research Training Program (RTP) entitlement will be adjusted to two years full-time (or half-time equivalent), minus the time already spent in your PhD. If you have completed two or more years of doctoral candidature at the time of transfer, your Master’s candidature will lapse immediately unless you also submit an Extension to Candidature application at the same time.
International graduate research students
If you are an international graduate research student considering a transfer, please contact the Adelaide University Graduate Research School for advice before submitting your application.
Transferring from a Master of Philosophy to PhD
Upgrading from a Master of Philosophy or UniSA legacy Master of Research to a PhD
In order to upgrade your candidature to a PhD, you must have demonstrated your ability to undertake research at a doctoral level and a suitable project, resources and supervision must be available.
Demonstrating your ability to undertake research at doctoral level
If you had previously met the entry requirements for a PhD you may be permitted to transfer to a PhD after 12 months or half-time equivalent, subject to satisfactory completion of your initial review of progress, evidence of research outcomes, such as publications, peer reviewed conference papers, scholarly works and creative arts and the submission of a revised research proposal which can reasonably be completed within 3–4 years (less the time already spent in your master’s candidature). If you are enrolled in a legacy program and had not previously met the entry requirements for a PhD you will need to wait until 18 months of candidature, or half-time equivalent.
Application process
- Discuss the proposed transfer with your supervisors
- Complete a Change of Program/Plan, Load or Mode application form ensuring that any relevant documentation (e.g. revised research scope and timeline to thesis submission and evidence of research output are attached under ‘Additional Documentation’).
The Adelaide University Graduate Research School will advise you in writing whether or not the transfer of your candidature has been approved. Where applicable, your maximum candidature duration and Research Training Program (RTP) entitlement will be reduced by the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) days for which you were enrolled in the master program. Your milestones will be updated and may have new due dates. Please check your program and milestone details on myAdelaide once you have received confirmation of the transfer.
Scholarship holders (RTPS and AURS)
When your transfer to a doctoral program has been approved, your scholarship duration may be extended up to three and a half years, less the number of days of a master candidature previously completed (please check with the Scholarships Team).
International students
Please contact International Student Support for advice before lodging your application to transfer. As an international sponsored student, approval to transfer to a PhD program is subject to the approval of your sponsor (where applicable).
Candidature after submission
Your candidature remains active (with zero load) after submission. You will retain access to University services, and no tuition fees apply.
Scholarship holders
Scholarship payments stop on the day your thesis submission is approved or at the scholarship expiry date - whichever comes first.
International students
You may remain in Australia post-submission to access facilities. If your visa expires before receiving examiner reports, request a ‘visa for marking purposes support letter’ from International Student Support.
