ABSTRACT

Being a research student is a quite different experience to being a student on an instructional programme. The latter will comprise a number of separate courses, each with their own objectives defined by given syllabuses, examinations and course-work requirements. Basic resources for following each course are supplied to the student in the form of lectures, seminars and reading lists. With a research degree, on the other hand, you have the opportunity to investigate a single topic in considerable depth but without the guidance and signposting of taught courses. Being a research student can thus be quite a lonely experience. Apart from library and computing services and perhaps various forms of research training, your main ‘resource’ will be the individual guidance provided by your supervisor or supervisory group, supplemented by the support and friendship of other research students.