Hi Riena 988, I am doing engineering PhD in one of the public uni. This is my 7th month. I am doing fast track PhD since I obtained first class for my degree. In my opinion, no matter what route you are pursuing, it's not going to stop you from taking PhD.

Master by coursework is safe, but you still need to do a mini final year project within one semester. Everything is by your own, test assignments, projects. You are going to face it. If by MsC by research will be also based on yourself. You will face conference, papers, thesis, presentations, prosiding. bla bla bla. You will never stop doing research. Chance for you to grad within 1 year is merely impossible in the case of Engineering.

Fear in finding research based supervisor is really a challenge. The uncooperative and dictate ideas which makes me feel so uncomfortable. I feel the same way. By the way, which uni you plan to pursue. you can pm me.