Postgraduate study by research: what you need to know

Independent research offers a tremendous opportunity and can give great satisfaction and intellectual stimulation. It is challenging and demanding and shows that you are capable of independent study, can demonstrate project management skills, are highly organised and can display analytical thought as well as other skills.

There aren’t really any disadvantages, though some experience ‘the loneliness of research’. While there may be other research students in your department, you will all be working on different topics so you can expect to work alone for long periods of time.

The options

Masters by research can be gained in all disciplines. For those in humanities and social science, these are usually Master of Letters (MLitt) or Master of Philosophy (MPhil). For those in sciences, they can be MRes (Master of Research) or MSc (Master of Science). Doctoral degrees are also available in all disciplines and are called Doctorates of Philosophy (PhDs) regardless of which discipline they are in. Other research doctorates include DPhil, LLD, DSc, DLitt, DEng and DEd, many of which also have a taught component as well as a significant research element.

Current trends

The Irish Government has set a target to double the number of PhD graduates by 2013, and various initiatives have earmarked public funding for fourth level education. This means that opportunities for pursuing postgraduate research are increasing.

However, the amount of investment into the fourth level system has not yet translated into employment opportunities for those with higher degrees. Throughout your postgraduate degree, you should keep your CV up to date, regularly evaluating the skills you have developed, and practise your personal statement. This is one of the most useful tools when applying for funding, as well as a job.

Would it suit you?

Research is not just for those looking for an academic career: it is open to anyone who is highly motivated and has a keen interest in a particular area. It has been said that research is a lifestyle but there is some evidence that a sizeable proportion of research students work in excess of 40 hours a week and many have a second job in order to meet their financial responsibilities. Research life is all about self-motivation and discipline. It is imperative that you treat your research like a day job, setting strict working hours and study activities. 

The basis behind fundamental research is to make a contribution to the field of study: in a way it is research for research’s sake. Applied research could be more crudely described as developmental research and is more likely to be the kind of research found in industry. A doctoral degree could take you into the civil service or industry, as well as the more traditional academic research route.

Written by Loretta Jennings, Director – Career Development Centre, and Catherine Bracken, Careers Adviser, at the National University of Ireland Maynooth.

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