Choosing a University for Masters/PhD

What factor should I be considering when choosing a university for postgraduate? Do ratings matter? What factors should I look for when choosing a new city, or even country?
This video is part of a series of mine on applying for Masters/PhDs, go check out the rest: goo.gl/atthbT
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New video every other Wednesday (ish), please comment if there's a topic you would like to see covered!
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Got a question for me?
Twitter: @LeKissick
Email: [e-mail]
Website: lucykissick.co.uk
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My name is Lucy Kissick, I'm a third year PhD student in Earth Sciences at the University of Oxford, and I wanted to be a Jedi growing up but being a scientist isn't so bad.

[@PegoraroMarco]

The fact that the quality of the research carried out by specific professors is an infinitely better indicator that the ranking of a university cannot be stressed enough. University rankings are obtained combining a set of metrics which usefulness is usually debatable at best and outright laughable at worst.

[@isilmonika]

lucy, can you make a ‘a day in my life’ or ‘morning routine’ kind of video? I’m a phd student in earth sciences too, and i’m having a hard time taking care of myself, i don’t have time for myself at all. I’m concerned about my mental and physical health. It’s not that I study very hard, but I can’t seem to find the balance. Maybe your routines will inspire me, or somebody. I know there are a lot of videos like these out there but it’s more valuable watching one from a relatable person like you.

[@chanelcoppard]

The most important thing for me by far were the facilities and supervisor possibilities, so you really hit the nail on the head with that. It's so important to make sure you're able to study exactly what it is you want and ratings don't ever take that into consideration. I'd never have gone anywhere else bu my current institution for my exercise physiology post-grad.

[@Vika7450]

I rushed to the PhD application a little bit and didn't have time or opportunity to consider the factors you mentioned. The factor which did become important in my case when I accepted the offer was the location in terms of ties with the industry. There are plenty of companies in my field which have offices in the same area where the university is and my PhD is industry-funded. I thought it will be easier to move my career to the industry after the PhD if I want to. Thank you for the videos, it's very interesting to listen to your experience (I particularly like that you woke up earlier for a year to write a book because I want to write one but never seem to find the time). I hope you're doing well and will be happy to keep following your channel.

[@Dannibb08]

Your personality is wonderful! 😊

[@tonyshoeball7759]

I might by doing my Masters degree in Transnational Japanese History, I'm applying after a research student opportunity I got in Japan.

[@PhDstudytips]

I have just got up from bed from India and your beautiful video inspired a lot. Thanks for this video.

[@A-qz5vv]

I don't know why you reminded me Hermione Granger :), you're video is so helpful, thank you very much Dr Lucy!

[@weasdown]

Great video and definitely useful with the applications I'm putting in at the moment, thanks Lucy!

[@jarrodjohnson7796]

SO insightful, this is such genuine advice thank you

[@wenlanzhang1599]

Amazing, very concrete and practical and concise! Thank you so much for the advice!

[@alexsocop]

I'm currently looking for a PhD program. I'm from Guatemala (little unknown country in central america) and your videos are really helpful. Thank you! Grettings from the highlands of Guatemala.

[@nizuto]

I'm in a master in Biochemistry, and I chose the same university (and the same professor) where I did my undergraduate thesis (University of Concepción, Chile), mostly because I could continuing what I was doing, making bigger and bigger the descoveries that we where making and, on top of all that, I love what I'm doing. Anyway, the PhD I want to do it is outside my country, USA I think that is the best idea... but anything can happen between today and the day that I get my MSc degree. Thanks for the video, Is amazing to know that there is people how make videos about their life in research, kinda make me try it to do some day

[@FEfe-qy2us]

Grande la Udec

[@ThePhDiaries]

sounds like it worked out really well for you and if you already like where you are and there are opportunities to stay, then why not.

[@danielluna2855]

Do you have any updates? :)

[@nizuto]

@@danielluna2855 Hi, Yes !! many things happen between the original post and now, even a pandemic haha I finished my master's at the beginning of 2021, and a few months later I got the opportunity to do a Ph.D. in the same university in a new and (I think) better subject with a really great PI. Covid was the primary reason why I couldn't do a Ph.D. outside Chile, and I didn't want to wait years until things get better to continue my science career. I'm doing EvoDevo now, with plans to begin a youtube channel and other platforms to share the beauties of the things that we do :D

[@danielluna2855]

@@nizuto That sounds great man! I wish you all the best :)

[@calebpotts8648]

I chose to apply to programs based off the supervisor and graduate students I would be working with. Geography, research project, and my biases also played a role.

[@isabellauzategui2477]

You made sound so simple. I'm not looking into doing a Ph.D., but this is very insightful. P.S. You somehow remind me of Hermione Granger

[@zv54]

I am still at GCSE level & I'm an adult,older than you, of ethnic origin, no friends,disabled parents,no social support, unemployed, unwell and have no academic advantage. I am not considering medicine as I'm very dumb. I know it's too late to ask now but do you have any legitimate last minute advice for passing AQA GCSE Biology. Since you are at PHD level, I figured you're a great source of reliability.

[@Law9652]

Let's be real: most people decide to go to the most prestigious. I should add this is wrong; you should decide to go to the uni that has the best research speciality in your area of research. This will usually be the most research-intensive unis (like the Golden Triangle unis), but there are many exceptions.

[@tonyshoeball7759]

"200 quid on their oyster" why does this seem like something Gavin Free would say making fun of Brits?

[@corsai7506]

If you are a cracking student then you will have doors opened for you. If not a top grade student then your options will narrow, those Academics will not bother with you as you are not worth that much to "them". The human factor is the most important and not just the best place to live, la la

[@stephane1623]

Great video Lucy, I wonder what are your thoughts on how do you a post-doctoral fellowship (additional training) usually required for teaching as an assistant professor. What factors to consider etc. Hello from the U.S. :)

[@ThePhDiaries]

oh man I don't have a clue! I'm not sure I want to go into academia so I'm not the best person to ask. Good luck with ti!

[@user-xn2hf9re8r]

and Lucy what do you do when the supervisors fail you and no one is interested in resolving situations as you are only there 3 yrs and their colleagues are there longer. I have taken all the routes necessary to rectify matters but nobody is going to support me and others feel the uni is letting them down too.

[@saulyarhi675]

what an interesting human

[@MuhammadAsad-ct2gk]

How can you help me in phd admesn

[@naifalghamdi9877]

How can I know about the best people that have internist in the field I wanna do my masters in ?, can you give me an advice :)

[@ThePhDiaries]

Check out who has authored the papers you are most interested in and give them an email!

[@noneone.............]

Insya Allah, I'll take International development program or Humanitarian or something like them, for my graduate degree, i would never give up about my these words. I know true God "Allah", always protects His creation who wants to close with Him Ameen. I do believe Him, He does exist ! Not human or any creation " invisible"🇬🇧♥️

[@thomasp4902]

In short: Don't go to Uni in London or Oxford. These are NOT suitable places to live as a student with current rent levels.

[@nagihangot6133]

I have a home in London, I was born in London, and Postgraduate Doctoral Loans cover enough of the cost of living in London, even if you're not from here.

[@ThePhDiaries]

Eh it's manageable - not ideal but it doesn't flat out rule the place out.

[@MuhammadAsad-ct2gk]

Hy

[@rosemaryfengchannel]

My question is how to make it when you GPA is not high and don't have that kind money🤪