Faculty of Arts

Variations to Candidature (Masters by Research)

For detailed information on candidature matters, please consult the Master of Arts by Research Handbook

Change in Project

Research and Postgraduate Studies should be notified if the candidate and their supervisor decide that either a major change in the direction of their research or a new project is necessary. Notification should be by email (arts-research@unimelb.edu.au) or identified clearly on the Progress Report One form. A 100-word summary of either the altered or the new project should accompany the notification together with advice on whether or not the change in topic is likely to cause a delay in the submission of the thesis.

Change in Supervisor

A student may request a change of supervisor. To do so, download and complete the Application for a change of Supervisor(s) and submit it to the Arts & Music Student Centre (Room 104, Old Arts Building). This form requires signatures from the old and new supervisors and the Head of School or their nominee.

Download the Application for Change of Supervisor(s): Masters (Thesis or Advanced Seminars and Shorter Thesis) [75K PDF file].

Leave of Absence

Leave of Absence is available once a student has completed the equivalent of at least one semester of full-time study (6 months full-time or 12 month's part-time candidature).

Leave is not normally approved in the first 6 months of candidature. Students applying for leave who are in receipt of a scholarship must notify the Melbourne Scholarships Office or relevant body. It is up to the student to ensure that their scholarship will be resumed on their return from leave.

If your leave is approved you are required to return your student card to Student Administration. You may be eligible for a (partial) refund of your Services and Amenities Fees - check your Enrolment Record and Statement of Liabilities, which are sent out to you upon approval of leave from your Masters.

Students on leave of absence are not entitled to the use of University resources and services (e.g., the Library, supervision, departmental equipment etc.).

Please note that leave of absence requests can not be backdated unless in exceptional circumstances.

Australian Students

Leave of absence may be approved for a period of greater than 2 weeks and a total of 12 months. Leave may be taken in stages or at one time as long as the accumulated period of leave does not exceed 12 months. Students requesting additional leave are generally advised to discontinue their studies and apply to resume their course at a later date.

Students who are in the last two months of their candidature or have had their candidature extended are only eligible to apply for a total of 2 months leave except in extreme circumstances. Students experiencing difficulty in completing their degree within the specified time period and who have used their full entitlement of leave should consider applying for an Extension to Candidature.

An application for leave of absence must be approved by both the student's supervisor and either their Course Coordinator or the Head of School.

Download the Application for Leave of Absence: Master by Research [173K PDF file].

International Students

International students who are currently enrolled at the University may apply for Leave of Absence from their studies only when illness or other exceptional, compassionate circumstances beyond their control, prevent them from pursuing their studies effectively.

To apply for Leave of Absence, you must:

  1. Meet with an (International) Student Adviser from your faculty; and
  2. Provide medical certificates or details of exceptional compassionate circumstances, including how these were beyond your control.

Please visit the International Student Services website for more information on taking Leave of Absence.

The University is obliged to report variations of enrolment to Department of Immigration, Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA).

Leave to Study Away/Overseas

Research candidates travelling interstate or overseas for the purpose of conference attendance, presentation or any other research-related activity should formally notify the Faculty of their travel plans by submitting the Application for Leave to Study Overseas/Away: Masters by Research [86K PDF file].

Candidates planning to spend periods of time undertaking research away from the University, need to apply via the Application for Leave to Study Overseas/Away: Masters by Research [86K PDF file]. All applications for leave to study overseas/away must be accompanied by a completed Risk Assessment - 2D Model risk assessment form [158K PDF file] to be completed together with the candidate's supervisor who must authorise the form.

Enrolment continues as usual and the submission date does not alter. Periods of leave to study away will not normally be approved beyond a total of 12 months.

Periods of more than three months away require the appointment of an external supervisor, located where the candidate will be undertaking the research. If this is impracticable because of the nature of the location, or because of movement between different locations, the supervisor may apply to the RHD Committee for exemption from this requirement, indicating how contact will be maintained with the principal supervisor.

Download the Application for Leave to Study Overseas/Away: Masters by Research [86K PDF file].

Please note: All applications for leave to study overseas/away must be accompanied by a completed Guideline Form For Off Campus Travel And Work Policy [42K PDF file] and should be completed in conjunction with your supervisor who must authorize the form.

Return from Leave of Absence

All students must advise the Arts & Music Student Centre (Room 104, Old Arts Building) of their return from leave within 5 working days of their resumption of study. Failure to do so may result in the termination of their enrolment. A reinstatement fee may then be charged by Student Administration.

You must complete and submit the Advice of Return from Leave: Masters by Research [87K PDF file] in order to reactivate candidature.

Download the Advice of Return from Leave: Masters by Research [87K PDF file].

Discontinuation

A student may discontinue their degree at any stage during their candidature. Discontinuation does not require the approval of either the student's supervisor or their school. A student in receipt of a scholarship must notify the Melbourne Scholarships Office or appropriate body of the date of their discontinuation. Any entitlement will cease from that date.

Students who resume their degree within 3 years following discontinuation will have the prior period of their enrolment deducted from the maximum period of candidature determined by the Research Training Scheme (for more information, visit the Department of Education, Science and Training RTS site).

Students wishing to discontinue their degree, must notify the Arts & Music Student Centre (Room 104, Old Arts Building) by submitting the Discontinuation form.

Download the Application for Discontinuation: Masters by Research [149K PDF file].

Enrolment in Additional Subjects

Any student wishing to take an additional subject as part of their degree must complete a Special Subject Addition Form: Masters by Research [145K PDF file]. The additional subject must be approved by the Subject Coordinator and either the student's Course Coordinator or Head of School. Forms can be submitted at the Research and Postgraduate Studies Office in Room 210, Old Arts Building.

The completed form must reach the Research and Postgraduate Studies Office within the first week of the relevant semester.

Change in Enrolment Status

A student may change between full-time study and part-time study during their candidature. Any student wishing to change their enrolment status must complete an Application for Change of Status: Masters by Research [120K PDF file]. The form needs to be signed by the student's supervisor and submitted at least 2 weeks prior to requested change date. If a student is in receipt of a scholarship, he/she is personally responsible for notifying the Melbourne Scholarships Office or relevant body of the change in status. Forms can be submitted at the Arts & Music Student Centre (Room 104, Old Arts Building).

Early Submission of the Thesis

Provided a student's School and supervisor give their support, and provided that the student has met the condition of one year's full-time study (or equivalent part-time study), a student may then apply in writing to submit a thesis in advance of the 18-month full-time timeline. For more information on the process, contact: the Arts & Music Student Centre (Room 104, Old Arts Building)

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