UCT Post-graduate studies - Flipbook - Page 16
6
TIPS FOR FINDING
A SUPERVISOR AT UCT
Conducting your own research is often challenging (but hopefully rewarding). You will
need guidance, and all postgraduate research takes place under supervision by a member
of academic staff. A supervisor’s role is, among other things, to support you through the
process, help you find relevant literature and guide you around the research methodology.
1
EACH FACULTY, DEPARTMENT AND
DISCIPLINE IS DIFFERENT, so find
out how your specific programme
manages the process. Faculty websites
are often a good place to start.
2
ASK FOR HELP. Many
departments have a designated
person to support postgraduates,
who can be a useful first contact.
You can also contact your head
of department (HOD) or course
conveners or even other postgraduates
in your discipline for support if you
are struggling to find a supervisor.
14
3
IF YOU WANT TO DO A RESEARCH
MASTER’S OR DOCTORAL
DEGREE, start finding out about
supervision requirements and looking for
a potential supervisor at least six months
ahead of when you plan to register.
If you need your potential supervisor
to endorse your application for funding,
you might have to start earlier than
this. For coursework master’s degrees,
decisions about research dissertation
topics and supervisors are made after
completion of the coursework.