Doctoral changes
Learn about changes to thesis titles, switching to full- or part-time study, suspension, extension, and obtaining approval for off-campus research.
Quick guide to navigating changes to your candidature
- Thesis title: You can usually make minor changes to your thesis title without difficulty, for example spellings and rewordings. Changes that represent a change to your research focus may be more complex. Learn more about Changing a doctoral thesis title.
- Full time to part time: Find out what's possible for domestic candidates and international candidates. Learn more about Changing to full- or part-time doctoral study.
- Extension: If extenuating circumstances arise during your doctoral degree and you find that you need a little more time, you can apply for an extension of enrolment after your fourth year of full-time enrolment. Learn more about Doctoral extension.
- Suspension: You can apply for a suspension of enrolment if extenuating circumstances arise during your doctoral degree and you need a break from study. Learn more about Doctoral suspension.
- Off-campus research: If you wish to undertake research away from campus for more than one month, you must obtain approval in advance. Learn more about Off-campus doctoral research.
- Coursework enrolment: If you are a doctoral candidate who needs an enrolment in coursework as part of your doctoral confirmation milestones, or needs a change in an existing enrolment in any approved confirmation milestone course, you should under no circumstances attempt to enrol yourself in coursework, or modify an existing coursework enrolment using Student Services Online. Learn what you should do in Doctoral coursework enrolment and changes.
