Withdrawing from a doctoral programme

You can withdraw from your doctoral programme at any point, and we recommend that you speak with your main supervisor and/or a Graduate Adviser at the faculty before submitting a request to withdraw from your doctoral programme. 

The withdrawal process is available in Wahapū and requests can be submitted by candidates. There is also a provision in the withdrawal request form to leave confidential remarks/feedback for the School of Graduate Studies.

If you are receiving a scholarship, please inform the Scholarship Office and/or the relevant funding agency.  

If you choose to withdraw from your doctoral programme, please note that you are liable for your fees up until the withdrawal date. 

For more information, please see Doctoral fee refund.

A withdrawal will result in the end of your enrolment and you will no longer be a doctoral candidate at the University of Auckland.

The withdrawal takes effect at the end of the month chosen (e.g., if you withdraw on 15 April, you will remain enrolled until 30 April, as this is the end of the month). 

International doctoral candidates

• If you're an international doctoral candidate, you will no longer be enrolled at the University.
• The University, via the Visa Compliance team, will notify Immigration New Zealand of your withdrawal.
• If you wish to stay in New Zealand, you will need to apply for a new visa.
• Your health insurance premium may be affected as a former international candidate
  • If you have not made an insurance claim previously, you may be eligible for a partial refund of your insurance premium. This is calculated from when we receive your discontinuation confirmation from the School of Graduate Studies. For more information, please see Insurance at the University of Auckland.
  • If you have made a claim, you will not be eligible for a refund. 
  • Once an outcome has been determined, you will receive an email to your student email notifying you of the outcome.

If you have access to Wahapū, you can find the withdrawal request form under 'Change requests' on your Wahapū Thesis page. 

2016 PhD Statute or older, or named doctorate

If you don't have access to Wahapū, you will need to complete the withdrawal process manually using a DOC6 Change to Doctoral Candidature Registration form.  The School of Graduate Studies receives your DOC6 form via the faculty's doctoral research coordinator. 

You can find the DOC6 form at Application and Candidature.

Check out the regulations for students completing a Doctor of Philosphy

Check out the regulations for students completing a Named Doctorate