What are they?
Research degrees are granted to students who study one specific topic in-depth
for typically three to four years. The research thesis or dissertation, is written
up by the student in their final year of study and followed by an oral examination
(or viva) in which findings from the thesis are questioned by examiners.
The resulting qualification is a doctoral degree or PhD, also known
as a DPhil.
Research degrees are a major undertaking, and not for everyone. You’ll need
- a genuine commitment to the subject area.
- the ability to keep yourself motivated.
- adequate funding.
What’s the careers path?
A PhD qualification traditionally leads to a career in academia: the
usual route is that qualified PhDs undertake several postdoctoral positions
before finding a permanent position. Competition for these positions is intense.
Not all PhDs stay in academia, however, and many other possibilities are
available in business and industry where PhDs are usually widely respected.
How do I pay for it?
Research Councils fund PhD studentships for specific subject areas, so it’s
important to identify the right funding body for the research you want to
do and follow the appropriate procedure. A full list of Research Councils is at
www.rcuk.ac.uk These awards
cover
- tuition fees
- a maintenance grant
- a contribution towards course-related expenses
You will probably need a first-class or upper second-class honours degree from a
UK Higher Education Institution. More information is available at www.prospects.ac.uk/funding and www.direct.gov.uk
What should I do next?
If you are considering a research degree, visit the institution you’re applying
to and talk to staff and students. You might want to ask
- Is my prospective supervisor academically suitable, approachable and likely
to be available throughout my research degree?
- What percentage of past students finished their research successfully?
- How good are the research facilities? (The Research Assessment Exercise assesses
department research every four years. See
www.rae.ac.uk/ for more information)
