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A graduate research degree – which includes both Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Masters by research – are highly rewarding, regularly challenging and potentially life changing. However, there are some persistent myths and misconceptions that often become a barrier to people pursuing a graduate research degree.
To help us bust those myths and reveal the truth about studying a graduate research degree, we sought the expertise from two academics from Deakin’s Researcher Development Academy, Dr Ai Tam Le, lecturer in Graduate Research Development, and Associate Professor Dr Chris Hughes.
The first myth about taking on a graduate research degree is that there is a high-cost barrier to study. As Le explains, there is certainly a ‘significant commitment, intellectually and financially’ when studying a PhD or Masters by research, but there are always options for financial assistance.
‘Fortunately, there are several sources of funding that PhD applicants can seek to support their studies, such as the Australian Government’s Research Training Program or Deakin University’s Postgraduate Research Scholarship,’ she says.
These options often allow graduate researchers have their fees entirely covered, and also provides access to stipends and allowances that cover other costs such as accommodation and living expenses. Le says that, in addition to the available funding, some graduate researchers study and work part time to offset the cost. Many work in university teaching roles that make use of their expertise.
So, with all that in mind: how expensive is a PhD, really? It really depends on where and what you study.
There’s a common misconception that a graduate research degree, especially a PhD, takes ‘too long’ to complete. How long it takes to study a PhD largely depends on your area of study and whether you study full time or part time, but, as Hughes explains, three years is the standard estimate.
‘To develop a relationship with your supervisory team, undertake doctoral research, and develop doctoral-level skills and abilities, a minimum of three years is standardly expected,’ Hughes says.
To those committed to completing their degree in three to four years, Hughes emphasises that it’s less about the amount of work required, and more about taking the time to develop those PhD-level skills.
‘Higher level critical thinking, reasoning, and writing skills take time to develop; this is why it is more a case of growing into being an independent researcher rather than just the producer of a 100,000-word document,’ he says.
Many people studying a graduate research degree will encounter our third myth: that there might not be enough funding to run a research project.
While knowing where and how to get research funding is the first challenge, the good news is that there are plenty of avenues to explore.
Funding options will depend on your area of focus. For example, the Australian Government has created a $25.4 billion investment fund for health and medical research called the Medical Research Future Fund.
Other funds include the Australian Research Council’s ARC funding schemes, the NHMRC grant program schemes and university-specific fund like Deakin’s research funding, but it’s worth consulting with research supervisors and other university advisors for funding schemes specific to your research.
When you study a graduate research degree, you work with and learn from research supervisors. One myth that can spook prospective graduate researchers is the idea that they won’t find the right ‘fit’ in a supervisor. As Hughes explains, supervisors usually come as part of a team, rather than an isolated teacher/student dynamic, leaving plenty of room to find a group that works.
‘Team supervision means that you will not be working solely with one supervisor; it is helpful to think about the different kinds of support that you think you might need, and, crucially, explore with prospective supervisors the kind of team that could be built around your project,’ Hughes says.
But how do you find the right research supervisor in the first place? If the idea seems daunting, remember the university will help you find a supervisor – though you can, of course, look for your own experts if you wish.
‘Whilst of course you can seek the people for whom you think might be good supervisors, the University is responsible for providing supervision; it is not all on you as the prospective candidate,’ Le says. ‘In the early stages of project design and decision making, it would be wise to really think about how your proposed project ties in with existing research in a school and reach out to prospective supervisors to explore the possibilities.’
Our fifth myth may not be, strictly speaking, a myth. It’s the idea that research degree programs are a lot of work. As Hughes explains, a PhD or Masters by research is a lot of work – but it’s far from unmanageable.
‘It typically takes such a lengthy project to create the means through which we are genuinely able to develop doctoral-level skills,’ Hughes says. ‘To be able to think, write, argue and reason at this level requires a sophisticated project and quality supervisory team. This is a lot of work and a big commitment, but it can be very rewarding and each year lots of people do complete their PhD.’
Typically, universities have well-resourced researcher development programs there to help you through your degree. This includes development programs, workshops and resources to build your research capability and help advance your career. Making use of the available resources is vital because, as Hughes says, completing a graduate research degree in good time is all about planning for success.
‘It is not an insurmountable task; one key to doing this well and on time is project design and coherence,’ Hughes says. ‘The amount of work required to re-design projects and/or unpick fundamental problems can be frustrating. A three-year PhD is feasible if the very project being undertaken is viable and coherently designed.’
There’s no doubt in Le’s mind – a graduate research degree can pave the way to great things in the future.
‘Doing a PhD is often a transformative experience,’ Le says. ‘A good research degree not only equips the candidate to contribute and extend the frontiers of knowledge but also prepares them to develop as an independent researcher with the knowledge and capabilities needed to navigate a world full of complexities and possibilities.’
If you’re keen to explore a graduate research degree yourself, Le has some advice on choosing the right program and institution for you.
‘When searching for a research degree, look for a place where there are expertise and facilities to support your chosen research topic,’ says Le. ‘No less important is the type of researcher development opportunities (such as programs or services that support your professional development) and the research culture of the institution – both of which are critical to your research and personal growth. This information can often be found on a university’s public website and by talking to your potential supervisor.’
Ready to find the right graduate research degree for you? Explore research degrees at Deakin today.
