Extension of Candidature

Students who are unable to submit their thesis for examination or complete their degree requirements by the maximum period of their candidature will have to apply for an extension of their candidature. This has to be done at least three months before the expiry of the maximum candidature.  Just as for undergraduate programmes, Faculties may approve extension of candidature not exceeding two years on a cumulative basis.  Beyond the two-year limit, the approval of the Board of Graduate Studies is required.

Students are to apply using the respective prescribed application forms through supervisor(s), Head of Department, to Vice-Dean of Faculty.

Candidature would be considered lapsed once the maximum candidature period of the degree is reached.

Extension of candidature applications received after the candidature has lapsed would only be considered if there are compelling reasons.  If approved, an administrative fee of S$250 is payable to re-instate the candidature.

Applications for extensions submitted more than six months after the expiry of the maximum candidature will not be considered.

Upgrading/Downgrading of Candidature

a)

Upgrading of Candidature from Master’s to Ph.D.

A Master’s or Graduate Programme by research student has to pass the Ph.D. Qualifying Examination (QE) and meet any other criteria set forth by the Faculty before the candidature can be upgraded. Please refer to the Faculty’s guidelines in this aspect. Application to upgrade the candidature should be made using the prescribed application form through supervisor(s), Head of Department and Vice-Dean of Faculty.

As a result of the upgrading, the maximum candidature will be five years from the date of registration. Credit will be given for the work done towards the Master’s degree.

b)

Downgrading of Candidature from Ph.D. to Master’s

Written request for downgrading of candidature can either be made by the student (through supervisor(s) and Head of Department to Vice-Dean of Faculty) or by the supervisor(s) to Vice-Dean of Faculty. There is no prescribed application form.

As a result of the downgrading, the maximum period of candidature will be reduced to three years from the date of registration.

For research scholarship holders, if there is an over-consumption of leave, scholars will be asked to refund the appropriate amount arising from that.

Conversion of Candidature

a)

From Full-Time to Part-Time

Students are to apply using the prescribed application form (if available at the Faculty) or by submitting a written request through supervisor(s) and Head of Department, to Vice-Dean of Faculty.

Generally, students should have already submitted a satisfactory first draft of the thesis to the supervisor before the request for conversion to part-time candidature can be approved.

Fees are still payable until such time the thesis has been submitted for examination. For foreign students, the student pass will be cancelled once the application to convert to part-time candidature has been approved.

For research scholarship holders, the scholarship stipend will be terminated with effect from the approved date of conversion. If excess payment has already been made, students will be informed to make the necessary refund. If there is an over-consumption of leave, the appropriate amount arising from that will be added to the refund.

b)

From Part-Time to Full-Time

There is no prescribed application form. Students are to submit a written request through the supervisor(s) and Head of Department, to Vice-Dean of Faculty.

Concurrent Enrolment in Another Course

Research students who wish to enrol concurrently in another course have to seek approval in writing from the Vice-Dean of Faculty through the supervisor(s) and the Head of Department.

A research student who wishes to combine a research degree and a coursework graduate degree should file for graduation from the coursework degree first as s/he can then seek exemption for up to 50% of the coursework component of the research programme subsequently. If the student were to file for graduation from the research degree first, s/he cannot use any of the modules for the coursework degree.

Students who have enjoyed government subsidy / scholarship in a graduate programme will not be eligible for government subsidy in another graduate programme at the same or lower level. Instead, such students will be liable to pay “Full Fees” for the graduate programme that they now wish to undertake

Withdrawal of Candidature

Students are required to notify in writing of their decision to withdraw their candidature. The letter has to be copied to supervisor(s), Head of Department and Vice-Dean of Faculty.

The student card has to be returned to Registrar’s Office. For foreign students, the student pass and spouse social visit pass sponsored by the University (if any) will be cancelled.

Termination of Candidature

The candidature of a student can be terminated when:

- his/her performance in coursework and/or research is unsatisfactory; or
- s/he is the subject of a disciplinary case brought before the Board of Discipline.

When any of the above occurs, the student will be notified officially in writing.

The student card has to be returned to Registrar’s Office. For foreign students, the student pass and spouse social visit pass sponsored by the University (if any) will be cancelled.