PhD Candidate Withdrawal from Programme Procedures

PhD candidates who wish to withdraw from the PhD programme.

These procedures do not apply to candidates governed by a PhD Statute other than that which came into effect on 1 October 2020. Such candidates should consult the applicable PhD Statute.

To specify the procedures that apply where a PhD candidate wishes to withdraw from the PhD programme.

1. A PhD candidate may withdraw from the PhD programme at any time by notifying the University in writing in accordance with clause 2 of these procedures.

2. A PhD candidate must notify the University of their withdrawal from the PhD programme either via Wahapū or via email to the School of Graduate Studies. In exceptional circumstances, written authorisation from the candidate’s proxy may be accepted.

3. A PhD candidate may not retract their withdrawal from the PhD programme.

4. A PhD candidate is responsible for all scholarship and visa implications of withdrawal from their PhD programme.

5. Where a candidate withdraws from the PhD programme, enrolment in a new PhD or other doctoral programme in the same subject at a later date may be permitted only in exceptional circumstances as approved by the Board of Graduate Studies (or delegate).  

The following definitions apply to this document:

• PhD candidates are students enrolled in a Doctor of Philosophy at the University.
• Wahapū is the University’s online doctoral candidature management system.
• University means the university of Auckland and includes all subsidiaries.

Includes the following:

• PhD Statute

Content manager: School of Graduate Studies
Owner: Dean of Graduate Studies
Approved by: Board of Graduate Studies, Senate and Council
Date approved: November 2020
Review date: November 2025