3 Things I Wish I Knew Before Postgrad Study

A year ago, I was finishing my undergraduate degree, and the jump to postgraduate study felt incredibly daunting, now I'm almost finished my masters at Heriot-Watt University! Here are three things I wish I’d known before going into postgraduate study:

1. You’ll need to read well beyond the reading list

The reading list is just the starting point, you’re expected to dig deeper! Finding extra articles, studies and alternative viewpoints will strengthen your arguments and help you shape your own academic voice.

2. Lecturers treat you more like a colleague than a student

Yes, you still have to listen and attend lectures, but tutorials become collaborative spaces where your ideas matter. They want your ideas, your critiques, and your initiative, you’re an active contributor now, not a passive learner.

3. Independent learning is the core of everything

With more independence comes more control. You get to choose your focus areas, direct your projects, and tailor your work to what genuinely interests you, which makes the whole experience far more rewarding

Feel free to share your own experiences or anything you'd want to know about the differences between undergrad and postgrad study! :smile:

(edited 1 month ago)

Reply 1

Edgar At UoD

Great advice for students at the start of their postgraduate journey. One piece of advice I would add is to learn how to manage your supervisor. Working in a supervisor-student relationship with clarity is key.