Change department
Changing your department
If you want to change your research topic to a different research field or your supervisor moves to a different department, you may wish to apply to change the academic department in which you are based.
A change of department can be within your current faculty, or a change to a different faculty.
Applications for a change of department require the approval of the heads of departments in both your current department and the one you are moving to. If you change to a different faculty, the new faculty dean also needs to approve the application. This approval occurs online via my.unimelb, the University's student system, after you submit your Request Change In Project Details online application form.
Before you apply
You should discuss any change of department with your advisory committee (includes your supervisors). Together you will be able to determine what impact the change of department may have on your studies and successful completion of your thesis.
If you hold a scholarship
If you are a scholarship holder, you will need to review your scholarship conditions before you apply. Some scholarships are granted for a particular department, or are paid from a supervisor’s grant, and cannot be transferred to a different department.
For more information refer to the Graduate Research scholarships terms and conditions or talk to your supervisor about your scholarship if you have any further questions.
Apply to change department
Note: the online form you will use to apply for a change of supervisor is the 'Request Change In Project Details' form.
If you already had started a form previously, please return to the form by clicking the green button below:
Return to already started form
If you need to create a new form, please click on the blue button below:
To avoid delays with processing your request, please make sure that you include the contribution percentage of each supervisor (as discussed with your principal supervisor and advisory committee) when completing the form.
Application process
- Step 1
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Submit the 'Request Change In Project Details' form
- Step 2
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Receive the automated system email – this acknowledges your application has been submitted
- Step 3
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Request is assessed by the principal supervisor and heads of departments
- Step 4
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Request is also assessed by faculty dean (or delegate) if change is to a new faculty
- Step 5
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If approved, your request is processed by the administrator
- Step 6
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Receive the automated system email – this delivers the outcome of your application
How to get help
Get technical help
Follow these steps to get help if you are having an issue with the online 'Request Change In Project Details' form.
- See a list of known technical issues, and how to get around these
Get technical help - If you cannot see your technical issue in the list above, or if you are having issues with your username or password, contact Stop1.
How to cancel a form
To learn how to cancel forms that you have submitted by mistake and need to withdraw; or if you have a list of started forms that you do not intend to submit for approval, click on the button below.
Get other form help
If you have a question about filling in the online 'Request Change In Project Details' form, or your degree details on the form are not correct, contact your local graduate research administrator.
Get advice
If you need more information about changing your department, you can talk to:
- your supervisors
- your advisory committee chair
- your local graduate research administrator.
My application is approved – what's next?
You should discuss early in your candidature what your and your supervisors’ roles and responsibilities are. It is good to have a clear understanding of what is expected of you, and what you should expect from your advisory committee (includes your supervisors). If your supervisors have changed after moving to a different department, we recommend that you read our Working with my supervisors page, and use the Supervision Agreement as part of your discussions.
Talk to your supervisors and fellow graduate researchers about how to integrate into the research community in your new department. Consider joining a reading or writing group, and attend morning teas, social events, and departmental seminars when on campus.
Australian or permanent residents only
You are now enrolled in a new attempt of your research degree. If you have previously applied to defer your payments of the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) through SA-HELP Assistance, you must submit a new SA-HELP Assistance form to defer any future fees for your new enrolment.
For more information, see How do I pay the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF)?
How to get advice
If you need more information about your approved change of department, you can talk to:
- your supervisors
- your local graduate research administrator.