10 things to do in your Masters to help you get a PhD scholarship.

Not only are postgraduate degrees brilliant ways to specialise in particular areas of research, but they can also increase your employability. We have compiled some tips that can help you towards getting a PhD scholarship.

Publish at least one research paper

During your master’s/MPhil, you will work on several projects some of which will be research-focused especially your thesis project. Make sure that you work on projects with the potential to get you a published paper. Don’t wait for the right time. Write and submit your papers.

Choose a supervisor active in research

While selecting a supervisor for your master’s/MPhil thesis, go for the one who is publishing good quality papers. This supervisor will help you to publish papers and introduce you to future opportunities.

Build a couple of international collaborations

It’s always good to start collaborating with international professors. Build these collaborations during your master’s/MPhil. You can volunteer at this time. This collaboration may get you a PhD position after completing your master/MPhil.

Select courses that have high demand in industry and research.

You will the option to select courses from a large pool of courses. Don’t go for the easy courses. Instead, select courses that either make you ready for industry or research.

Develop at least three hard skills.

Pick at least 3 hard skills and master these skills. For example, if you are in IT/computer science, you can pick Python programming, data engineering, and ML to master.

Develop at least three soft skills

Similarly, pick at least 3 soft skills and master them during these 2 years. These skills can be presentation, networking, and interview skills.

Learn how to create opportunities

Opportunities won’t knock at your door themselves. You need to learn how to create opportunities such as an industry internship, a research visit, establishing collaboration, and landing your dream position after the completion of your degree.

Work as a teaching assistant or research assistant

If your schedule allows you to work as a teaching assistant or research assistant during masters, go for it. It will get you skills that would help you in getting future jobs.

Get good grades

While doing the rest, don’t forget to get good grades as they do help to get you a good job or PhD position afterward.

Don’t just do it for the sake of the degree

Some students just take courses without significant learning and complete the degree. Don’t take this path. Do the program with a clear purpose such as learning skills, landing a specific job, or getting a top-notch PhD position.

Once the purpose is defined, then execute accordingly.