Research Degrees
The decision to carry out a postgraduate research degree should not be made lightly. Whatever you choose to study, you will need to enjoy the subject in order to keep yourself motivated for the length of your degree. If you are going to commit this time – and resources - to a project, you need to be inspired and absorbed by it, know that you enjoy working independently, be happy with what's on offer from the University within which you want to study, and like the location in which you choose to live.
Unlike taught programmes, research degrees are focused on independent study and involves an extended period of supervised research resulting in a thesis which “makes a distinct contribution to knowledge and affords evidence of originality as shown by the exercise of independent critical powers”.
Although the focus of a research project can be very specialised, it is also an excellent opportunity to learn and develop transferable skills such as organisation/time management, self-motivation and problem-solving.