PhD Discussion Forum

You can learn research skills as you start your PhD. Most people do this in their first year with the literature review and thinking about experimental design. Most university departments offer training sessions to first year students, but the value of these varies.

Hi Salma, in Australian Universities (I'm from Australia), having publications before you start your PhD is not a big concern. I did happen to have a conference paper and journal article from my Masters thesis published but there were many other PhD candidates who had not published prior to commencing the PhD. It might be a factor perhaps if there is a lot of competition for funding but the thing is to apply for more than one PhD place if you can and to apply anyway with or without publications behind you and wait for the outcome.

At my university, we had to complete some first year courses (similar to those ToL is referring to) to help us with research skills and academic writing and publishing. Many of the first year PhD candidates on the courses had not published prior to beginning the course or the PhD and they were excellent candidates. The courses provided a great deal of information on research, academic life and early career researcher pathways. (Early career= beginning researchers). Good luck and best wishes.