6 (More) Common PhD Myths

Don’t believe everything you hear about PhD study! In this sequel to our original blog, Kirsty Smitten debunks the most common myths she has come across in her time as a research student.

Prior to starting my PhD, I approached a couple of postgraduate students to try and gain an idea of what I had let myself in for. This led to me going into my research expecting the equivalent of my own personal hell. Thankfully, that hasn’t been the case. A bit of over-exaggeration, and some negative personal experiences clouded my expectations – but they don’t need to cloud yours!

In this post I’m going to go through each of the ‘PhD myths’ I was exposed to and compare them with my own experiences. Hopefully the result will be a bit of postgraduate mythbusting!

#1 You need a 1st to do a PhD

You don’t have to be the smartest person in the world to do a PhD, and you certainly don’t need a first-class degree.

In fields like mine (Chemistry), supervisors with funding make the decision on the student they employ, if you show interest and passion for their research you will stand out. In other subjects it’s also possible for a great PhD idea (and a great research proposal) to win a PhD place – and perhaps funding.

And, if you don’t have a great undergraduate degree result, that isn’t necessarily the end of the story: people have gone from a 2.2 to a Masters and then on to PhD research.

I have found from personal experience that as long as I am interested in a project, I will give it my all. That is what a PhD needs: someone who will put the effort in.

#2 You’ll be sat in an office or lab all day

A PhD involves many opportunities besides ‘routine’ research. You will be able to attend conferences, symposiums and research talks. These can be located at venues all over the world, offering the chance to meet leading experts in your field (and do some sightseeing on the side). At other times they may be hosted at your own university - these are equally rewarding and can provide easier networking opportunities.

The flexibility that comes with a (well-managed) PhD project can also suit a wide range of extra-curricular activities. Universities are a brilliant place to start playing a sport or join a society. From quidditch to knitting, you really can take up anything you fancy.

#3 PhDs are for the wealthy

It is no secret that university fees are expensive and the cost of living away from home adds up. Actually, you may be surprised to learn that PhD fees are often a lot lower than those for undergraduate or Masters courses. Though you’ll still need to cover living expenses, of course.

There are also a wide range of funding and finance opportunities available for doctoral students, including a new PhD loans system in the UK. This means you don’t need to have a wealthy background or be working multiple jobs to finance your studies.

And don't forget that self-funding can also be an option - if you plan well.

#4 Your supervisor will guide the direction of your whole project

It can be scary starting a PhD, especially if the research is in an area you’re not (yet) familiar with. A bit of initial guidance will be something you’ll welcome. . . and that’s exactly what you’ll receive, at first. But, once you have found your feet, your supervisor will step back.

Don’t worry, they’ll still be there at the start to ensure you have the correct training and understand the project, but as time progresses you will be expected to take the reins.

If you do a science PhD like mine, it is likely the supervisor has ideas for the direction and outcomes of the project (after all, they probably wrote the proposal for it). But, you will be conducting the work, and will see the results first-hand. It is your project, you will become the expert in it and your ideas will be key.

#5 You need to know (or learn) everything about your field

There’s a grain of truth here, but it’s important to keep perspective. By the end of your PhD you’ll know a lot about a very specific part of your field – your research topic. But you don’t need this before you start, and the beginning of your PhD will be designed to help you start acquiring it.

Having a good read of the literature prior to beginning your project will help. So will attending departmental seminars and guest lectures. Many of these are aimed at postgraduate students, offering an opportunity to learn all about leading research and developing your wider knowledge.

Also, if you do a science PhD like mine, there will be practical skills and techniques you won’t be familiar with. This is expected, your supervisor will be responsible for ensuring you receive all the correct training. So, even if you have no detailed knowledge of the field you won’t be a rabbit in the headlights.

#6 You must be a specific type of person to do a PhD

Many people get put off PhD research by thinking that it won’t suit them - that they don’t have what it takes to complete the research, or that they won’t enjoy it. I personally felt like doctoral study was only for academically confident, extremely intelligent students, and that I wasn’t the right fit. I’ve since realised that, just as no two PhDs are the same, neither are two students. There isn’t a specific type of person who can do a PhD; there are people doing PhDs.

PhDs are flexible, you decide what you work on, and when you work from day-to-day. There is a large element of freedom; as long as you aren’t the unlucky person who gets a micromanaging supervisor. In my opinion a PhD student should be: curious about the research, patient (at times) and able to challenge existing theories. But most importantly, enjoy working within the field they choose. No one starts out as an expert PhD student, we’re all just a bunch of early stage researchers discovering what we’ve let ourselves in for.

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