Adelaide University is committed to supporting your success throughout your research degree. However, there may be times when your candidature is suspended, terminated or you may withdraw from your candidature. This page outlines what these terms mean, what actions may lead to them, and what support is available.
Suspension of candidature
Your candidature and any scholarship payments will be suspended if you do not comply with any formal requirement of your candidature, for example by:
- failing to abide by the University’s policies and procedures and responsibilities of graduate research students as detailed in this Graduate Research Handbook.
- failing to undertake a required progress review by the due date or extended due date.
- failing to accept reasonable offers of supervision facilitated by the University.
- taking leave without prior approval
- failing to return from leave on the agreed date.
- failing to notify the Graduate Research School of return from leave within one week of return.
- non-payment of University fees and charges.
If your candidature is suspended, reinstatement will only be possible with the approval of your School, where the research undertaken prior to suspension remains current, appropriate supervision and resources are available to support the reinstated candidature, and where the reason for the suspension has been addressed.
The reason(s) for suspension may be addressed by (as applicable):
- lodging a satisfactorily completed progress review
- responding to the University as requested, with a satisfactory explanation for the lateness of the response
- lodging an application for retrospective leave of absence to cover the actual dates of absence from the University
- notifying the Graduate Research School of your return from leave of absence
- discharging an outstanding financial obligation or entering into a payment plan with the relevant area.
If you have been suspended and do not take action to reinstate your candidature within 12 months from the date of suspension, your candidature will be terminated.
Scholarship holders
If your candidature is reinstated following a period of suspension, any scholarship payments that would have been payable during the period of suspension are forfeited and the expiry date of your scholarship will not be adjusted.
International graduate research students
Suspension or termination of your candidature will be reported to the Department of Home Affairs. This will result in cancellation of your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) and may affect your student visa. Visit the Department of Home Affairs website for more information.
Termination of candidature
Your candidature and any scholarship payments may be terminated if:
- your academic progress is unsatisfactory as reported to the Graduate Research School following a progress review
- your candidature has been suspended for a total of 12 months or more, or
- the University exercises the right to decline to appoint a supervisor because to do so would not be appropriate. Without limiting this discretion, the University may consider the following in making a determination: supervisory eligibility and capacity, the quality of the research project and compliance with the responsibilities of graduate research candidatures as detailed in this Graduate Research Handbook.
The University will only decline to appoint a supervisor after careful consideration. Your Dean of School has responsibility for the assignment of supervisors. The Graduate Research School will work closely with your Dean of School and College to determine whether there are any eligible supervisors in the discipline area of your research project and whether they have capacity to become your supervisor before a recommendation of termination is made.
If you have been advised of the termination of your candidature by the Graduate Research School, reinstatement is only possible following a successful appeal through the Student Appeals Procedure. Appeals are evaluated by an independent unit within the University: an appeal must be lodged within the required timeframe.
Scholarship holders
If your candidature is terminated, your candidature and any scholarship(s) you are in receipt of will be maintained from the date on which the Graduate Research School notified you of your candidature termination until the end of the appeals timeframe to allow for you to pursue an appeal through the Student Appeals Procedure. If you submit an appeal in accordance with the provisions of the Student Appeals Procedure and that appeal is assessed as being without merit, any scholarship(s) you are in receipt of will be terminated with effect from the date on which the Graduate Research School is provided with notification of the appeal outcome.
International graduate research students
If your research program is terminated, it will result in the cancellation of your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). The University is also required to report any unsatisfactory academic progress to the Department of Home Affairs which may consequently result in the cancellation of your student visa. For more information and advice about your CoE, please contact International Student Support. For information and advice about your student visa status, you should contact the Department of Home Affairs.
Withdrawal from candidature
If you are considering withdrawing from your research degree, speak with your supervisors first. There may be alternative options such as:
- taking an approved leave of absence
- changing to part-time study
- studying remotely
- transferring to an alternate degree.
If you decide to withdraw, submit the Withdrawal Application Form.
Readmission
In exceptional circumstances, candidature may be reinstated, subject to the approval of the Dean of School, the ongoing availability of appropriate supervision and resources, the continuing currency of the research undertaken prior to withdrawal and the currency of the research skills of the graduate research student.
International graduate research students
Withdrawal will result in cancellation of your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) and may affect your visa. Visit the Department of Home Affairs website for more information.
