Except in circumstances deemed exceptional, a transfer should occur after nine but before 36 months full-time equivalent candidature has elapsed. Students should discuss a potential upgrade with their supervisor in the first instance. Then the graduate coordinator or the head of the academic unit or centre should be consulted to make the necessary arrangements. The panel will base its decision on an oral presentation and a written submission by the candidate, plus any other information deemed relevant by the panel. The candidate's written case for upgrading will provide details on the proposed research, report progress to date and provide a timetable for completion of each phase of the research program.
Copies are to be submitted to each panel member.
Accordingly, this submission should be a substantial document of 10,000 words, worthy of the time already devoted to the work. The candidate is expected to define the focus, methods and limits of the research precisely and to place it in the context of related scholarly literature. The candidate should also explain how the masters work will be altered to reflect its new status as doctoral research. The submission may be supported by any written works, such as working papers or chapter drafts, which would reinforce the case. A bibliography of works consulted should be supplied.