Time Limits

Regular PhD Program

You must complete all degree requirements within six years of enrolling in the regular PhD program.

Direct-Entry PhD Program

You must complete all degree requirements within seven years of enrolling in a direct-entry PhD program.
Note: The normal registration period for direct-entry students – the term for which the university expects regular (domestic or international) tuition payments – is seven years.

Extensions

If you have not completed the degree requirements after six years (or seven years for a direct-entry program), you may apply for a one-year extension from our department. We are likely to approve this request if you can provide evidence that you have made substantial progress and are likely to finish within the one-year extension.

If you require another extension, we will scrutinize your application very carefully and consent only if we are persuaded that you will complete your thesis within the period of further extension. Third and fourth extensions are rare, and are decided by the School of Graduate Studies.

All degree requirements must be completed within six years of first enrolling in the regular PhD program and within seven years of the first enrolling in a direct-entry PhD program.

Note that the normal registration period for direct entry students – the term for which the university expects regular tuition payments – is seven years.

After six years (or seven years for a direct-entry program), a PhD student who has failed to complete the degree requirements may be granted a one-year extension if the Department approves. The Department is likely to approve such a request if the student can provide evidence that he or she has made substantial progress and is likely to finish within the one-year extension. PhD students who fail to complete the program in that period may apply for further extension of up to one year, but the Department scrutinizes such an application very carefully and consents only if it is persuaded that the thesis will be completed within the period of further extension. Third and fourth extensions are decided by the school of Graduate Studies and are rarely granted.

At the end of the guaranteed funding period, students first registered before 2010-11 may “lapse” their candidacy until they are ready to defend. Lapsing does not mean termination. The Graduate School thinks of the lapsed student as being “inactive.” Lapsing has the effect of withdrawing the privileges that membership in the University brings—the right to a carrel in the library, to supervision and so on. But students whose candidacy has lapsed are encouraged by the Department to finish their program and are helped in every possible way while doing so. There are two sets of rules for lapsing:

a ) Old Lapsing Rules (for students registered for the first time before 2010-11). These students may lapse any time after year five during the PhD. Theses must be complete before students may apply for reinstatement by the School of Graduate Studies. A request for reinstatement may be refused when, in the view of the Department Chair, the thesis is not sufficiently complete or of a sufficiently high quality for the Department to support it. Students who lapse after year five of the PhD will be expected to pay for year six upon reinstatement and for the semester in which they defend if that semester is beyond year six. Students who lapse after year six will be expected to pay for the semester in which they defend upon reinstatement. Alternately, students may opt into the new extension arrangements described below.

b) New Extension Arrangements (for students registered for the first time after 2010-11). These students no longer have the option to lapse their candidacy. Instead, these students can apply for extensions beyond year six of the PhD (year seven for direct entry students) for up to four years. During the extension period, fees will be calculated at the rate of 50% of the annual domestic fee.