Current research master's students

• Enrolment: Your Senior Supervisor is confirmed, and you commence your studies.

• Human Ethics, Māori Consultation and Animal Ethics: You should discuss with your supervisors early on in writing your research proposal whether any ethics applications will need to be submitted to the relevant ethics committee(s). This will be required if you plan to work with human or animal participants, or if your research will involve mātauranga Māori. 

• Appointment of Supervisors, Supervisory Agreement, and Research Proposal: Your full supervisory team is confirmed. Expectations related to your supervisory relationship are established and agreed. It is important that you talk with your supervisory team about all aspects of the Agreement. This will reduce the possibility of issues arising as your studies progress. The outline of your thesis is determined and resourcing confirmed. Your Senior Supervisor may also need to arrange for an External Supervisor Agreement to be completed if you have any supervisors who are not UC staff. 

• Progress Reports: These provide an opportunity for research students to: (a) review and track their progress against their overall project plan; (b) reflect upon research and development in past months and structure plans for the next part of the research journey; and (c) raise any issues or concerns regarding progress. The Progress Report is also a key means by which supervisors and the University monitor and evaluate your progress.

• Thesis Submission: You’ve done it! Complete the steps as outlined below and submit a PDF of your thesis to Te Kura Tāura.

Sometimes your progress does not go as planned, or exciting opportunities arise that you wish to pursue. In these instances there are a variety of options for you to consider in conjunction with your supervisory team. Please ensure that you communicate early, and openly, with your supervisory team. They will do their best to assist and connect you with appropriate supports across UC. Below are forms related to various options available to you. Each form contains a detailed description of the process, and what might be required to request various options. Discuss your application with your supervisory team, your Department/School Graduate Research Coordinator, or Faculty Student Advisor.

• Change to Mode of Study: Request a change between full-time and part-time enrolment. 

• Suspension: Request a complete break from your study, for a period of time greater than one month. 

• Extension to a Milestone: Request a longer period of time to complete a specific milestone, including extension to your final thesis submission date.  

• Change of Study Location: Apply to conduct your research from an alternative location for a period of one month or more. 

• Change of Supervisors: Request a change to your supervisory team. Your Senior Supervisor may also need to arrange for an External Supervisor Agreement to be completed if you have any supervisors who are not UC staff. 

• Transfer or Change of Qualification: To transfer to a PhD degree, or change your course code for a Master's degree. See Transfer from masters to PhD | University of Canterbury for more information.

• Withdrawal from a Thesis: Withdraw from your research studies entirely. 

Find out more here: Submitting your masters thesis | University of Canterbury and familiarise yourself with the Thesis Examination Procedures.

It is important that you ensure that you are enrolled and that your fees are up-to-date. International students should contact the Enrolments Team to discuss your visa situation, as you will no longer be enrolled following submission of a thesis. 

Please direct any queries regarding examinations to Te Kura Tāura, who administer the examination of master's theses.

• Thesis Submission and Use Form: This form needs to accompany your thesis submission when sent to the Graduate School inbox (graduateschool@canterbury.ac.nz)
• Appointment of Examiners: Your supervisor will complete this form to nominate your thesis examiners.
• Embargo and Secure Thesis Examination Request: Before submitting your thesis, discuss with your supervisors and the UC Library to determine if you may need to request an embargo or additional security requirements for your thesis examination.
• Master's Examiner Recommendation and Report: Each of your thesis examiners will be asked to complete a copy of this form. The report will be released to you along with your final grade, however the individual examiner recommendations are not released.