Graduate school presentation

Types of graduate programs Taught master's Some are professionally oriented – e.g. medical physics programs, nuclear physics programs aimed at nuclear power industry Research master's Usually called MPhil Euromasters Combination of both Through Sepnet, or go to Europe through a Mundus Erasmus program PGCE Required for teaching in state schools, not always required for private schools PhD

In which subjects can physics graduates apply? No trouble to apply in physics Nor applied physics, engineering physics, where offered Engineering, geology/geophysics, math, chemistry may be options in some cases

Other nations? In most countries, funded PhD positions are open more or less equally to students of all nationalities. In the UK, the situation is more restrictive, but if you're an EU citizen and a graduate of a British university, you should be eligible In most of Northern Europe, and selected places elsewhere, you can live quite well and work entirely without any problems just speaking English Example: me – I lived 2 ½ years in the Netherlands and understand about 50 words of Dutch In general, the programs are longer in foreign countries, for all the advantages and disadvantages that has i.e. You will be older when you finish, but with a more substantive level of experience and skill Teaching and coursework requirements may be larger, especially in the USA American PhD programs assume only a bachelor's degree, and you do a master's first, followed by a PhD May be more opportunities to pick your own topic If interested, also check out EU network positions High salaries!! Obviously there are cultural adjustments and issues about being away from home that deserve serious consideration if you decide to move abroad for a few years. It can be exciting or stressful depending on your personality and where you go.

How to choose an institution Talk to your tutor, final year project coordinator, etc. Ask other academics in the department as well Often, better to choose the supervisor than the institution Ask former grad students of the potential supervisor, your tutor, other trusted academics for advice E.g. there are many “dead weight” researchers at famous universities, and many excellent ones at some of the ex-polytechnics Don't rule out staying in Southampton, but also don't choose to stay here just because it's the easiest thing to do The programs are quite good here, but there are other places that are good, too, and which have different specializations If you stay here, it should be because the research here is what you really want to do - you will make new friends if you go somewhere else, so don't let comfort sway you too much

Procedural issues UK PhD programs: get applications in by end of January for full considerations Taught master's courses: application deadlines vary Often take students quite late in the year, but don't count on it International PhDs USA: must take GRE tests, application deadlines vary, but typically Jan 1. Europe: most places treat PhD places like jobs, advertised throughout the year A few notable exceptions – Max Planck International Research schools, for example.

While applying Choose your references carefully, and also give them plenty of notice Ideally, bring them addressed envelopes for all the letters you will need sent on paper Think carefully about the statements you need to write For undergraduate applications, grades are all that matters This is not true for postgrad applications

What criteria are used? Varies widely Different supervisors want different things e.g. If you've done very well in labs, but poorly in heavily mathematical courses, you could be attractive for experimental physics places over someone with a higher grade average, but who did less well in labs and better in theory/math courses Interviews for most PhD places Want to see evidence of a depth of understanding, and a “spark” of creativity Past research placements are very helpful to PhD applications Taught master's courses will usually admit based on paper