About Postgraduate Study

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Undertaking a Masters

Why take a Master’s? There are many a varied reason’s to take a Master’s degree and each person will have their own personal reasons. Here are a few that you might consider: People often take a Master’s to increase their specialist knowledge on a particular subject and often people choose a subject that allows them to build on their undergraduate degree. A Master’s can open doors within your career, as many employers prefer/require the specialist training you will receive during a Master’s degree and it can put you a step ahead of others in your chosen career path. You may take a Master’s programme in order to set you up to be able to move on to taking a PhD, which may require you to have a Master’s qualification. Note: You shouldn’t take a Master’s course as a stop-gap if you do not know what to do after you graduate. You will not have the right motivation to successfully co... read more

Undertaking a PhD

What is a PhD? A PhD is a postgraduate course in which you focus on a specific research question within your chosen field. On completion of the course you will normally become a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). Subjects are not, as it may seem, restricted to Philosophy and cover the whole spectrum of disciplines. How long does a PhD last for? A PhD course (in the UK) normally has a minimum time of 2 years, but most will carry on for 3 or more depending on the individual and the research project. What does a PhD entail? A PhD course is a significant undertaking as it involves a great deal of self discipline, motivation, determination and organisation. Your main aim throughout your time is to tackle a specific research area of your choice, planning, carrying out, interpreting, analysing and writing up your findings. You will most likely be working in a new area of your field in ord... read more

5 Pros & Cons of a Postgraduate Degree

If you are considering postgraduate study then glace through these quick pros and cons to weigh up the options. Pros: A PhD can be a fulfilling experience – you have the opportunity to plan, carry out and write up your very own research project that will eventually gain recognition in the academic community. During a PhD you are able to see the results of your own efforts and for those with aptitude and commitment, research can be extremely rewarding. A PhD is your chance to make a difference to research in your field. You can push the boundaries of current findings and make a real contribution to the advancement of knowledge in you research area. A PhD can enhance your career by setting you up for an academic position or a highly valued commercial research position. A PhD may also mean you have the ability to earn more money in a job, with the additional skills you have gaine... read more

Application for Postgraduate Study

Applying for a postgraduate course can be a confusing time with so many things to think about. Here are just a few things for you to think about at each stage of the process. We assume in these tips that you have already chosen a research topic. 1. Choosing a university Firstly you might think about the department that you are applying to. Does it have the facilities that you would need to carry out your research project? Remember that it is often hard to judge what a department is like from league tables as they are generally based on undergraduate facilities. To make the best assessment you should visit the departments before you apply. Think about what staff members are working in the department and whether there is anyone who could be your supervisor? Find out what topics each staff member covers by looking at their research profiles, which are normally available on the facult... read more

Notes of Experience

My experience is about part-time job and distance learning. It highlights the extent of conciliation between the professional field and the academic one. During the year 2008, I was recruited for the post of assistant of higher education after having passed the national examination for the recruitment of assistants of English language and literature in Tunisia. The place where I was recruited is in the south of Tunisia which is 300 miles away from the place where I live; the center, and because of family ties, I have to go back home weekly. Through the course of my work, I had to conciliate between the academic field and the professional one. For, I am still working on my PhD dissertation in France. My dissertation which is about an educational context in Tunisia requires the collection of data through questionnaires as well as interviews and analyzing them. Each time I finis... read more

Procrastination - 5 Top Tips

I procrastinate all the time. Making tea, checking emails, drinking tea, checking emails, eating biscuits, checking emails.... Sometimes when things aren't going according to plan it becomes very easy to find other things to do. Here are my 5 top tips to help beat procrastination. 1. Admit your procrastinating: The sooner you realise you are putting things off the sooner you can do something about it. 2. Ask yourself why you are procrastinating: Are you avoiding work because you just don't want to do it, or is it because you are disorganised. Working out why you are doing it will help you work out how to stop. 3. Set short term goals and rewards: I often promise myself a piece of tasty flapjack at lunchtime if I complete a certain task. 4. Keep a 'To-do' List: I keep mine online using iGoogle, but you could also write it down, stick it on your wall etc. A list helps you... read more

Writing a Research Proposal

In just a few weeks time there are going to be thousands of new PhD students starting all over the UK. Some will already have a well defined project, others will only have a rough idea in which direction and area they will be working. It is this second group who will find this post the most useful as one of their first tasks will probably be a literature review followed by a proposal of what they intend to do for the next few years. It can be argued that the thesis proposal is the single most important part of your PhD as it sets you up for the whole processes of your study. Whilst carrying out research you refer to your proposal; whilst writing up your thesis you refer to your proposal; whilst defending your thesis lots of people will refer to your proposal. Therefore ultimately it is your ticket into and out of your PhD. A thesis proposal is there to be fulfilled during your... read more

How not to do your Ph.D.

Particularly in the arts and humanities disciplines, doing a Ph.D. can be rather haphazard if you don’t plan it properly. This is what people told me when I started on my Ph.D. journey four years ago, and although I didn’t listen, it turns out they were right. No-one ever quite knows what they are letting themselves in for with doctoral-level research, and this ignorance is probably for the best in many ways. However, with my thesis now completed and submitted, there are a few crucial things I wish I had known before, and some things that I have learned the hard way. Five Things I wish I’d known at the start 1. If you mostly work in one place, try to get a comfortable chair which supports your back, or at least cushions. It might sound trivial, but you will spend longer than you ever imagined possible sitting in one place staring at a book or computer screen. By the time you’re d... read more

To do a PhD or not to do a PhD?

Embarking on the journey to obtaining the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree is not for the faint hearted nor the meek and mild. It can be a lonesome journey testing your endurance and tenacity often as much as your academic prowess, as you travel through an emotional roller coaster that will test your enthusiasm and frustrations, leave you with a sense of isolation and boredom, and the feeling that you just want to get the job done. As an analogy, think of your Diploma or Degree as a walk over the undulating and sometimes challenging hills of the South Downs; your Masters degree as a steep climb up to the top of Mount Snowden and finally your PhD is the long and arduous trek up to the summit of Mount Everest. Time management, planning, managing your personal and work relationships, and commitment are key ingredients to success You’re up for the challenge …. but success is not... read more

How to Choose a Postgraduate Course

There are many reasons why individuals choose to pursue postgraduate study, just some of these include; - to progress a career - to change career - for personal fulfilment - because of an interest in a subject - a desire to postpone working All of these reasons are justifiable in their own right and indeed some may work hand in hand with each other. However, making the commitment to postgraduate study is not something that should be entered into lightly, as it requires significant input of your time, energy and finances. Having thoroughly considered all of your options and concluded that you do wish to study a postgraduate course, the next step is to choose which course. Obviously some courses will be naturally selected, or at least the broad subject area will be selected based upon your reasons for studying. For example, if you wish to study in order to pursue a te... read more

Is distance learning a good way to complete postgraduate study?

Any method of study that offers flexibility to a wide range of people is a good thing. There are many people today who want to undertake postgraduate study but find it difficult because of work or family commitments. Distance learning offers such flexibility particularly to individuals who may otherwise be unable to complete postgraduate study. There are many distance learning courses available in different branches of postgraduate education. A large number of universities in the United Kingdom offer distance learning courses to graduates from the UK and indeed the rest of the world. This type of study allows students of all age ranges to gain postgraduate qualifications from the comfort of their own home. Why choose distance learning for postgraduate study? Everybody has different circumstances and people’s lifestyle, work or family commitments may not permit them to attend an... read more

The Essential Guide to Postgraduate Study

Book: This book is a guide covering all aspects of the postgraduate life and which includes a section on 'Managing your time, academic writing and presenting your work'. read more

How can a PhD improve your career

Being awarded the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) can be the pinnacle of your academic achievements. Indeed, it is the only degree that is awarded by your potential peers. There is no examination ‘as we know it’. It is an assessment of your work by those already ‘in the club’. To be in the club you have to demonstrate that your work is worthy of your membership. The PhD is however more than just a measure of your academia. Whether achieved through continuous study, or, as in many cases, through part time study, the PhD is a measure of the person themselves. You cannot simply ‘study’ for the degree. You have to undertake research and identify ‘new knowledge’ and thereby add to the contribution of existing knowledge in the subject / specialist area of your choice. In undertaking a PhD you start on a journey which is often lonely, invariably with limited support, and one which of... read more

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