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“Is a PhD Right for Me?” is a free, three-week course on FutureLearn, a digital education platform. Created by the Bloomsbury Learning Exchange (BLE), this course provides a comprehensive guide for individuals considering, applying for, and beginning doctoral studies in the UK, aiming to overcome barriers and promote wider participation. 

The course addresses real barriers related to representation and visibility that deter many potential PhD students from pursuing further academic study. This is done by dispelling misconceptions and addressing real-life concerns to reassure and support underrepresented groups in academia. 

At a policy level, the course tackles issues of fairness and equality in accessing doctoral studies and seeks to improve minority representation at senior academic levels. It also focuses on retention and attrition rates, providing strategies to manage wellbeing, develop good supervisor relationships, and clarify potential career paths after a PhD. 

 

Course Outline: 

The course is designed to be completed in three weeks, with free access during this period. 

Week 1: Evaluate personal, practical, and financial factors to determine if a PhD is right for you. 

Week 2: Learn how to apply for a PhD, including developing a research proposal and finding the right institution and supervisor. 

Week 3: Prepare for doctoral life with strategies for efficient work, wellbeing management, and supervisor relationships, plus explore career paths post-PhD. 

 

For more information, visit: https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/is-a-phd-right-for-me  

 

Watch the course trailer here: