Michael D. Smith Michael D Smith Faculty Director of Graduate Studies University of Kent November 2010 Graduate School

Michael D. Smith What and why? Masters? PhD? What will you get? ……………a certificate? ……………a little prestige/title/letters? ……………a better job? ……………a deeper understanding? ……………a challenge? ……………satisfaction of contribution to knowledge ……………a Eureka moment What else? Training Training for what? What skills?

Michael D. Smith The Ultimate Skills for the employer ……..more than just numerate and literate ……… You will be able to analyse critically, and use your initiative You will be teachable, educable Your vices will be curable You will be durable, have stamina You will be supervisable: capable of following advice. You will be endurable, especially in the face of boredom You will be able to persist at seemingly pointless tasks ……. What you do may not be relevant, but what you can do is.

Michael D. Smith Skills Training: practical skills Research Training General Training Record: Milestones, 6-Montly Reports and a PDP This provides details for CV and for Reference Letters

Michael D. Smith Application Process ● Prepare : CV / Resume ; tabulated ● + list of potential referees (eg 2 or 3) ● Prepare: a cover letter, stating briefly: ● career so far ● motivation for PhD study ●, areas of potential interest (tailor to advert) ● a research project proposal? (not too narrow, not usually necessary) ● Prepare: copies (electronic) of any additional material that may impress ● Prepare: copies of transcripts, language abilities etc. ● ● Ask the potential referees if they consent to write references, on request. Remember to send your referees a copy of your application.

Michael D. Smith Apply / Career advice ● ● ● ● ● ● Kent students ought to also consult: ●

Michael D. Smith Costs 1. Tuition fees + maintenance 2. Training Grant 3. Other costs 4. Theory is cheap, experiment expensive Who pays what?

Michael D. Smith Question: Who Pays? ● Self funded. Pays the annual fees (£3,950 - £4,500 per year) and pays for accommodation/living/etc. You can volunteer to do teaching duties (if available) for which you are then paid. ● Departmental scholarship: The department pays the fees and provides money for your living expenses. But you are required to provide teaching duties in return (marking, lab demonstrating etc.), the amount of which (i.e. how many days per week, the exact classes/labs will vary each term) should be agreed at the start. ● Research Council (or similar external funding). The full fees are paid by the research sponsor who also provides you with money to live on. You can volunteer to do teaching duties (if available) for which you are then paid.

Michael D. Smith Question: Who Pays? 1. When can I take holidays? 2. Is my supervisor normal? 3. How hard should I work? 4. How do I do research? 5. How do I do a literature review?

Michael D. Smith Day One Action 1. Read Handbook 2. Bother your Supervisor 3. Define your project: Milestone M1 4. Determine your deadlines: Skills, M3, M4 4. See your Associate Supervisor 5. ?????? Courses...teaching...skills training... seminars....research...THESIS

Michael D. Smith Key People – Supervisor(s) Mentors and guides for your project Providing or facilitating access to ● necessary resources Providing opportunities for networking Giving you general support in many ways ● A professional working relationship!