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If you still need to enrol in your course and/or subjects, please follow these handy guides:

Domestic student enrolment guide

International student enrolment guide

Coursework subjects

HDR candidates who are admitted to a Master of Philosophy (previously called a Masters by Research), Professional Doctorate or the Doctor of Philosophy (Integrated) are required to complete coursework subjects prior to, commencing the thesis component of their degree. Supervisors requiring HDR candidates to complete coursework MUST include the subject details in the HDR application approval process so that they can be included in the HDR admission offer letter. Supervisors are responsible for ensuring subjects are compliant with approved course structures.

Re-enrolment process for continuing HDR candidates

All re-enrolling HDR candidates will be re-enrolled automatically at the beginning of each academic year by the Graduate Research School, once a satisfactory Annual Progress Report (APR) has been approved by the Head of Postgraduate Studies or nominee.

An Annual Progress Report will be made available online each year via SOLS. This report needs to be completed on-line by both HDR candidates and their Principal Supervisors. For more details, please visit

Before commencing the APR, candidates and supervisors must meet to discuss progress, consider impediments, and prepare a plan for the following year.

All HDR candidates are required to complete an APR in order to qualify for re-enrolment in the following year. You must complete an APR even if:

• you are currently on Leave of Absence; or
• you commenced your higher degree research in the Spring Session of the current year.

The Head of Postgraduate Studies and/or the Associate Dean (Higher Degree Research) of the Faculty also need to approve the APR before it is returned to the Graduate Research School.

HDR candidates will not be re-enrolled without a completed APR. The failure to complete an APR when required will result in the student’s candidature being discontinued. For more details, please visit  

Candidature variations (such as leave of absence, reduced study load etc) will be initiated after the APR, by supervisors/HPS’s/ candidates contacting the GRS with the relevant forms completed and signed by 24 March for Autumn Session and 24 August for Spring Session.

Please see the following documents to help you to complete the APR. 

Confidentiality

From 2023, candidates and supervisors complete their sections of the APR concurrently, and privately:

• Candidates and supervisors are encouraged to discuss this report with each other, however, neither will see the other's responses.
• Only the HPS will see responses from the candidate and supervisor.
• If complications arise, such as complaints or other matters – staff, including the AD-HDR, Student Ombudsman, or Dean of Graduate Research, may be able to access your responses.

Annual progress review timetable

A Leave of absence (LOA) is a period in which HDR candidates can take leave from their studies. A LOA may be granted for medical, compassionate or other acceptable reasons. Candidates should discuss any periods of intended leave with their supervisors. 

A LOA can only be approved for an entire session. It is not possible to take a part-session leave of absence. 

Depending on your circumstances and the period of leave you wish to take, there may be other types of leave that you can request.

Please visit for detailed information on how to apply for LOA and other leaves. Additional information about what leave option best suits your needs and how to manage complications around those leaves can be found in

Upgrading from a Master of Philosophy or a Professional Doctorate to Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

To transfer from a Master of Philosophy degree or a Professional Doctorate to a Doctor of Philosophy in the same field of study the candidate must:

• Have completed sufficient study in the Master of Philosophy or Professional Doctorate program at this University to allow an assessment of the capacity of the candidate to undertake independent research at a Doctoral Level. This would normally mean that candidates complete required coursework components of the degree and have completed at least 0.5 EFTSL of their thesis component;
• Prove their capacity to undertake independent research by presenting a seminar reporting on the research topic to a group which must include:
  1. the primary supervisor, and/or co-supervisors
  2. a member of the Faculty Research Committee (FRC) or the Head of Postgraduate Studies (HPS); and
  3. an independent academic staff member with appropriate disciplinary expertise to appraise the research and requested transfer

 After this seminar, in consultation with the Supervisors and independent academic, the HPS can prepare, sign and submit a Course Transfer Request Form to the Graduate Research School for action.  

Downgrading from Doctor of Philosophy to Masters by Research

Voluntary downgrades: Should a student wish to downgrade from a Doctor of Philosophy to a Masters by Research degree, the Supervisor should approve the transfer and complete the course transfer report (PDF) to be sent to the Graduate Research School who will adjust the enrolment accordingly.

Forced downgrades: Academic staff wishing to downgrade HDR candidate’s candidature to a Masters by Research degree as a result of inadequate progress noted in their Research Proposal Review or Probation Report or other process must provide a written report to the Dean of Research for consideration.

Please note: a may be required. For more information, see

Downgrading from a Higher Degree Research to a coursework degree

Under the current higher education legislation, it is not possible for candidates in a research degree to exit with a coursework degree. Candidates may transfer between research degrees as detailed above, cease HDR enrolment and apply for admission to a coursework program as a new course. Prior study may be granted as advanced standing, as per . 

Domestic HDR candidates who have accrued an Equivalent Full Time Study Load (EFTSL) of >4 (greater than 4 years full-time study or 8 years part-time study) for doctoral candidates and >2 (greater than 2 years full time study or 4 years part-time study) for Master of Philosophy/Research candidates are classified as ‘overtime’ in their studies and are liable to pay fees for the remainder of their degrees.

The fees are currently $12,360 per session for full-time domestic HDR candidates and $6,180 per session for part-time domestic HDR candidates. Australian citizens are eligible to apply for fee help loans.

Special circumstances

Students who believe they have legitimate special circumstances, as defined in the fees policy, may apply for a sessional (DPTA). 

See the special circumstances as defined in section 11.3 of the fees policy.

All special circumstances described in your DPTA application must have supporting documentation. See section 12 of the fees policy, which describes valid forms of supporting documentation. Note that if this documentation is not provided then your DPTA application will not be accepted.

The DPTA applications are reviewed and approved by the Dean of Graduate Research.

Special circumstances do not include:

• Lack of knowledge or understanding of this policy or government legislation
• A failure to follow correct University procedures
• A person's incapacity to repay a HELP debt

The deadline for DPTA applications is 27 February (for Autumn Session) and 27 July (for Spring Session).

Outcomes will be provided to candidates in mid-March for Autumn session and mid-August for Spring session.

Candidates wishing to change their thesis title must first seek permission from their supervisor(s). Written notification, counter-signed by the candidate’s supervisor(s) should be forwarded to the Graduate Research School.

To apply for a reduced study load, complete the online .

The following information is for international HDR candidates wishing to change their study load from full-time to part-time. If you are experiencing difficulties and are considering changing or withdrawing from subjects or your course, we encourage you to seek support before making this decision. Please make an appointment with your supervisor/s or connect with support services that the University offers free of charge.

It is strongly recommended that you consult with your supervisor/s before requesting changing your study load. Please note that certain scholarships may not allow you to change from full time to part-time.

To apply for a reduced study load, complete the online .

Once the change request is received, your application will be reviewed by the Graduate Research School and it needs to be approved by your supervisor and Head of Postgraduate Studies. If your application to change your study load is approved, your enrolment record will be amended accordingly. If your application is declined, you will be notified of this outcome via UOWmail and advised of the options available to you. 

Note:

• All applications must be submitted by 24 March for Autumn session and 24 August for Spring session to allow for processing time.
• All applications must be submitted by the student and are subject to approval.

Depending on the type of student, i.e. International or Sponsored student, there are different conditions that apply when requesting to change a study load: 

International HDR candidates on a student visa 

If you are an international HDR candidate on a student visa, you are required to complete your studies by the date listed on your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). Your visa status will be affected if you do not finish your course in the timeframe shown in your Confirmation of Enrolment. For more information see Student visa conditions.

You should not withdraw from your subject(s) before approval is granted. If you deliberately under-enrol or not follow advice from your Faculty, you may not get an extension of your COE. If that happens, you must complete your studies from your home country via distance studies. The University will only issue a new COE in Compassionate or compelling circumstances. 

International HDR candidates not on a student visa 

You will need to formally apply for a reduced study load

Sponsored HDR candidates

Students who have an official sponsorship arrangement with UOW and a third party will need to provide written permission (from the sponsor) that a part-time study load is approved. Please be aware that if your sponsor does not approve your Reduced Study Load, the University will not be able to proceed with your application. For more information, please contact the sponsorships team on  scholarships@uow.edu.au.

To request the letters listed below you will need to apply in SOLS – Student Forms.

• Completion Letter
• Graduation Invitation for Overseas Guests
• Statement of Status - Enrolment
• Statement of Status - Scholarship
• Statement of Status - Thesis Examination
• Withdrawal of Course