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Registry Services
  1. Registry Services
  2. Research Degrees
  3. Research student information
  4. Change of circumstances
  5. Thesis extensions

Thesis extensions

During your time with us you may require an extension to your thesis submission, this page will guide you on the extension process.

There may be a variety of reasons you feel you may need an extension to the submission of your thesis whilst at Queen Mary. The following page will work to guide you on the criteria for this.

Criteria

  1. You may request an extension of up to one year if your studies are being affected by circumstances beyond your control.
  2. Extensions can be granted in periods of whole months.
  3. Extensions may be permitted for a number of reasons, including illness, maternity/paternity/adoption leave, personal reasons and financial difficulties.
  4. Normally only one application is permitted except in exceptional circumstances, for example if the reason is due to Covid-19 issues.
  5. Requests should normally be applied for at the latest 3 months in advance of the current thesis submission deadline
  6. Students who have taken up employment during their writing-up year or final 12 months of study may apply for an extension.
  7. An extension will not be approved solely to allow students to take up training, work placements, or teaching opportunities.
  8. Extensions will not be approved for students who are not making adequate progress.

If you will not be able to work on your research programme at all for a period of time it may be more appropriate to request permission to interrupt your studies.

Application process

 

Before submitting your application, please discuss it with your Primary Supervisor. This conversation should include:

  • A review of your progress to date.
  • Development of a clear timetable for completing all remaining work on the thesis.
  • Agreement on a proposed new thesis submission deadline.

On the application form, you should:

  • Explain how circumstances beyond your control have made it impossible to meet your current thesis submission date.
  • Provide a detailed completion plan through MySIS, including:
    • A table of contents.
    • Chapter headings.
    • A timetable for completing each chapter.

If you have decided to apply for an extension to your thesis submission deadline:

  • Complete the online form available in MySIS, from My Research Details, under the Change of Circumstances tab within your Research Student Profile.
  • Once submitted, the form will trigger an approval workflow involving your supervisor, the School Director for Graduate Studies, the School PGR Coordinator, and finally the Research Degrees Office (RDO).

Your request will then be considered by the Research Degrees Programmes and Examination Board (RDPEB). When a decision has been made, the RDO will notify you and your School or Institute.

 

Immigration permission

If you have Student Immigration Permission (formerly a Tier 4 visa) you may need to apply for an extension of your visa. Please see the Advice and Counselling Guide before completing this form.

 

UKRI Research Council funded students

Students who receive their stipend funding from grants awarded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI – the Research Councils) should check the UKRI doctoral training grant terms and conditions with their Doctoral Training Manager before applying for an extension. UKRI monitors the thesis submission rates of its funded students. Please refer to Council specific guidance for further detail. The terms and conditions of UKRI funding take precedence over the Queen Mary Academic Regulations.

 

Writing-up status

Students in their final 12 months of study who have not already transferred to writing-up status should discuss with their supervisor submitting an application to transfer to writing-up status using the online form in MySIS. A student who is in writing-up status by the time of the start of the extension period will not pay fees for the extended period of study.


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