Thesis Extensions

Thesis Extensions

A series of FAQs for students seeking an extension are given below. Additional information, for graduate research students, can also be found at FAQs for Graduate Research Students or in the Research Student Hub.

Please note that a student becomes eligible for an extension when they reach the maximum number of registered trimesters for their programme, as outlined in Academic Regulations 7.10, 7.11, 8.11 or 9.10.

Frequently Asked Questions

We encourage you, where possible to submit your thesis by your planned deadline.

Where you are unable to meet your originally planned deadline, and you have not reached the point of maximum registration to your programme, then you do not need an extension. Your registration will continue and fees will be payable.

If you have reached the maximum period of registration to your programme, and are not able to meet your originally planned submission date, then you can apply for an extension.   

If you require an extension then please discuss this with your supervisor, confirm their support, and discuss your plan for completion.

When you have confirmed your proposed new date, please note that extensions are typically sought by trimester, then please complete the form request form in your SISWeb (under Programme Services, Graduate Extension Request) as directed. This request will be submitted to your School in the first instance. In keeping with normal governance, and if your supervisor and the School is happy to support the extension, the request will be progressed by your School to the Graduate Research Board.

As part of your application, please describe the circumstances that lead to this request including how your research has been impeded, the duration of this delay and how you will be able to complete your work within the timeframe sought. The circumstances for which you may seek an extension can include illness, interruptions to your research outside the control of you or your supervisor and any other extenuating circumstance (including COVID-19).

  • Log into SISWeb, select Programme Services and then select My Graduate Research Extension Request
  • Select Graduate Research Extension Request
  • Please complete questions as directed
  • You will be asked to confirm that you have discussed this request with your supervisor and obtained their agreement, this is a critical step as it will not be possible to progress the request without this confirmation and
    the permission could be withdrawn if the question is answered inaccurately
  • Any supporting documentation for this request should be sent into your School directly, all documentation
    submitted is treated as strictly confidential and is only available to staff administering this request
  • You will receive email notifications as your request is progressed from your School, if the request has the support of the School, to the Graduate Research Board.

An extension to your registration will default to 'fees payable' unless it is specified on the application.  If you are also seeking an exemption from fees, for the period of your extension, please indicate this in the appropriate section on the SISWeb form. If you are seeking an exemption from fees then your application must provide clear reasons for this request and must be supported by a statement from your supervisor and any additional and relevant documentation that you may wish to provide (the Graduate Research Board reserves the right seek clarification on any information provided).

Fee exemptions are typically only granted by trimester i.e. a year long no-fee extension will not typically be granted.

Students seeking a 'no fee' extension must also have reached the maximum number of registered trimesters for their programme, as outlined in Academic Regulations 7.10-13, 8.12 or 9.10.

An extension should ideally be sought at least two months in advance of your originally planned submission date.  This is to allow for a timely response ahead of your original submission date.

This application will follow the same process as outlined in Q1.  Please note that a request for an additional extension, and specifically a no-fee extension, remains a significant request and supporting documentation must to provided for such requests (statement from a supervisor, medical certificates etc). There is no guarantee of the outcome.