Short-term research projects such as those undertaken in Honours or graduate Diplomas are essential training for graduate researchers.
However, just as the transition from an undergraduate course to Honours or a graduate Diploma usually requires a student to quickly acquire and develop new skills, the transition into a graduate research degree involves a much higher degree of independent thinking, planning and activity than most students expect.
Most students find the transition both challenging and exciting; some find it daunting, even when they have achieved well in Honours.
A graduate research degree provides a unique opportunity to follow your interest in an area of research, to focus on this for several years and make an important contribution to the development of your chosen research area.
The focus is on your capacity for creative, independent research, critical thinking, time and project management and problem-solving, and you will also need to have, or to develop, excellent skills of organisation and communication of information.
