Higher Degree by Research students are entitled to take up to 20 days of recreation leave and up to 10 days of sick leave each year of their candidature. Students taking leave should discuss with their principal supervisor and confirm any dates they will be absent from their studies. Scholarship recipients must formally apply to take recreation or sick leave by submitting a Scholarship Leave Form (DOC 37KB).
Requesting changes to your candidature
Students may apply to take leave of absence from your candidature for a minimum of 4 weeks and up to a maximum of 12 months during their candidature. A leave of absence is not appropriate if you wish to extend your submission date. A variation to candidature request form would be recommended in these cases.
Leave of absence applications must be supported by the supervisory team and the Graduate Research School. Leave of absence applications must be submitted prior to commencing any absence.
Please note, a variation to candidature request and leave of absence requests are submitted online via the Research Master Management System (RIMS). You will need your UConnect username and password to log into the system. Once logged in, click on the HDR eForms link located on the right side of the screen.
In accordance with Australian Government regulations, International Students studying in Australia under an Australian Student Visa are permitted to take leave of absence on the grounds of Compassionate or Compelling Circumstances. In such cases the student will be required to provide supporting documentation or evidence of their need to take a leave of absence. For medical or psychological reasons, students must attach a USQ Medical Certificate completed by a registered Doctor or Psychologist. For extenuating personal circumstances students must attach a written statement, with supporting evidence (if possible) as to:
- the date the personal circumstances began or changed
- how the circumstances affect the students ability to study
- when it became apparent that you could not continue studying.
Once the leave of absence has been approved, the University will notify the relevant government body that the student's enrolment is deferred or suspended. The completion date for submission of a thesis for examination will normally be extended by the same period of approved leave.
Leave of absence will not normally be considered if you have not successfully completed any courses, or have failed to make satisfactory progress in your program of study.
If approved, the status of the enrolment will be amended to ‘cancelled’. Whilst cancelled, students are not entitled to access any University resources, including computing and supervision.
Re-commencing
It is the responsibility of the student to contact the Graduate Research School at least 10 working days prior to re-commencing their studies to enable their enrolment to be re-instated.
Students who fail to return to their studies following a period of approved leave may have their enrolment cancelled.
Student may apply to extend their candidature. Extensions (if approved) are to allow you to complete your thesis and submit for examination.
In approving a request for extension of candidature, consideration will be given to the progress made to date, the anticipated timelines for completion, any extenuating circumstances that have delayed the project and whether this was outside your control. An extension of candidature will need to be supported by your supervisors, and approved by the Graduate Research School. Extensions of candidature are not automatic and normally only approved for a period of up to six months.
If you wish to apply to extend you candidature time you will be required to complete the extension request form, provide a completion plan (outlining the remaining milestones to be completed and dates the milestones will be met), supporting documentation of why the extension is required, and the nomination of a firm date for submission of the thesis.
If you are approved to extend your candidature time you will be required to continue to enrol in the appropriate course/s and pay tuition fees (if applicable).
The decision on the application to extend the candidature time will be provided in writing to you via your official university email address.
Students who receive a University scholarship may apply to extend their scholarship entitlements up to a maximum period of up to six (6) months to enable them to submit their thesis for submission. You must complete a variation to candidature request form, attaching a completion plan (outlined the extension of candidature time). Please note, a variation to candidature request is submitted online via the Research Master Management System (RIMS).
Approval of scholarship extensions will be based on the progress you have made, supported by your supervisors, and approved by the Graduate Research School.
The extensions of scholarship funding is not automatic and any decision on the application to extend the scholarship will be provided in writing to you via your university email address.
The University recognises that occasions may arise in which students find it necessary to drop a course after the census date. In such cases, the academic penalty (i.e. Fail grade) may be waived and the financial liability (Research Training Scheme or tuition) reversed if the course is dropped for special circumstances.
Further information on withdrawing from your course is available. Please note that applications must be made within 12 months of the end of the period of study in which the course was, or was to be undertaken.