What should I ask my future PhD supervisor?
Questions to ask a potential supervisor before starting your PhD
- What would you expect from me as a student, and what could I expect from you as a supervisor?
- How many students do you supervise, and how often do you see them?
- Is there funding available for conferences, publications and other research expenses?
What should I write to my PhD supervisor?
It should highlight your eligibility and enthusiasm for PhD study, and your interest in the supervisor’s research discipline. Here, you can also explain your funding, residential, and study mode status in more detail. If you’re applying for a specific advertised PhD project, include the name of the project.
What makes a good supervisor for a PhD student?
A good supervisor knows how to inspire you and give you some encouragement when you need it. A good supervisor meets their students regularly and encourages them to work consistently. A good supervisor gives you enough space for exploration. Is it better for your PhD supervisor to be young and inexperienced or old and experienced?
Do PhD students need to attend supervisory meetings?
Note that the ability to attend supervisory meetings is an expectation of full-time PhD students who are based ‘on campus’. If you are studying by distance learning your supervisor may arrange for a different format, such as discussing work over the phone or via video conferencing.
Do postgraduate students ever change their supervisors?
Even if many postgraduate students never change their supervisors, there are students who change a few supervisors during the course of their postgraduate studies. Many universities will not limit you in changing your supervisor, given that you show satisfying progress in your course.
How to choose a supervisor for your research project?
Younger and inexperienced supervisors will also be more involved in your research project because they need to hunt for publications if they want to become a professor, and they will always see your research as prospective publication material.