How to find the right research programme
Five key considerations when deciding where to study.
If you've decided that life as a research student is the right choice for you, there are several things you need to look carefully at.
The institution
- What is its reputation for research in your field? What support structures are in place for research students?
- What resources are available – will you be given your own lab space and computer; how flexible are the college opening hours?
- What other duties that will be required of you? Some schools have seminar and training programmes that postgraduate research students can participate in.
- What process will you have to go through to complete a PhD?
The topic of your research
Will completing the research fit into your career plan? Make sure to choose your topic very carefully before opting to become specialised in a particular area. In some colleges you can propose your own topic, but often an academic member of staff will have set proposals, so make sure that you are happy with these.
Your supervisor
Students are dependent on their supervisor for guidance, so it is absolutely vital that this relationship is a good one. You'll need to find out about the supervisor's reputation and their track record in postgraduate research supervision and publications.
Teaching opportunities
There may be opportunities to supplement your grant with paid teaching. Some colleges pay postgraduate research students additionally for any tutorials or demonstrations given, while others expect students to undertake this as part of their research programme.
Money
- What grants are available for your chosen research area?
- What funding is available for conference participation?
- What are the accommodation and transport costs in your chosen institution?
How to choose your supervisor
Postgraduate study by research: what you need to know
