How is it. It's motivating if u know how to do it. It's torturing if you're new to it.

1. You choose usually
But if you apply through a grant (sometimes you will see supervisors advertise application for position as a graduate student with monthly stipend), your topic is based on the approved grant.

2. Do a research on your topic and write thesis/papers for publication. Attend workshops from time to time. Present your research in conferences/colloquium/proposal defence/viva voce.

3. If you wish to be a lecturer, it's better to take the research postgrad. Otherwise, no one cares whether you did research postgrad or coursework postgrad. If u intend to stay in industry, you can just do coursework postgrad at masters and doctoral level.

But if you are totally new to research, best to take a coursework masters before doing a PhD (research).

Which field r u in by the way?

This post has been edited by Blofeld: Nov 4 2025, 08:20 AM