Wondering whether a postgraduate coursework or research degree is for you? Hear what some of our students have to say or check out our dedicated article which unpacks the differences.
Coursework
Tina:
“I was really surprised at UWA’s flexibility. I control my own timetable, which lets me undertake a wide range of activities such as part-time work, clubs and social activities. It has taught me how to manage my own time and gives me the time to explore who I am and what I want.”
Jack:
“My favourite part of being a Master of Strategic Communication student is the fantastic teachers. My lecturers and tutors have always been unbelievably kind and understanding, while providing a stellar education and every opportunity a student needs to succeed.”
Claire:
“My master’s degree will equip me with the specific techniques and skills needed for a career in translation or interpreting, with my preference being to work with a hospital or government agency.”
Nic:
“The best thing about studying architecture is by far the interaction with my peers and tutors. The Architecture master’s degree is full of shared learning and you really get to work collaboratively on your projects with your friends and tutors, even if it’s not a group project.”
Katrina:
“The best part about being a Master of Strategic Communication student is it opens your mind up to the world of options available to you after graduation. I would love to work in the media or sport industry ideally; however, it would be fantastic to be employed in a role where I feel like my work has a real impact on the community that it serves.”
Research
Charlotte:
“I knew that to answer the questions I had and to uncover more of the secrets of our oceans, a research degree was the next step for me. For my PhD, I spent more than three months in the field; a lot of this time at sea both in the middle of the Indian Ocean and closer to shore off Ningaloo here in WA, tagging sharks and fish, diving and filming them, along with taking samples to find out information about their genetics and diet. I think it is so important for researchers to communicate our work and the latest scientific findings to the public. We also need to be visible as scientists to encourage the younger generation to pursue science too.”
Wesley:
“I think the most important attribute for being successful in a PhD is being self-motivated. You are driving your research and are ultimately responsible for the outcome. You will, of course, have support and guidance from your supervisors and other researchers, but you need to have the motivation to set your own goals and achieve them. This isn’t too hard if you’re working in an area you’re passionate about, but it definitely requires discipline and organisation.”
Terence:
“A research journey can make you feel isolated but you are not alone. This journey is a marathon and not a sprint, so resilience and grit is very important. Along the way, not only do you learn more about the research topic, it provides an avenue for you to evaluate, reflect and grow as a person.”
Rebecca:
“The best thing about my degree is my topic and the fact I have very supportive supervisors and wonderful support staff in Humanities. Doing a PhD can be hard at times, and somehow it seems to cause life to throw everything at you at once, but my supervisors provide constructive support to both my research and how I navigate doing a PhD as a person, and the support staff in the School of Humanities have been very responsive to all of my questions (I had a lot in my first year!).”
Jessica:
“In addition to a real sense of ownership of your chosen topic, I’d say the most important attributes are the ability to take responsibility for your own progress, and a very clear understanding of why you are going down this path. Of all the decisions you make in your professional life, this is one that has to be yours alone.”
