IN the bachelor’s degree programme, one is given very regimented core material to learn. All of us in the same degree programme must learn the same things. We only need to pass some coursework and examinations, and in the process we acquire the fundamental knowledge needed to succeed in the field.
The master’s degree programme offers more freedom to pick projects or thesis topics but the process is still well controlled. It is such a drastic change for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree programme. We are free to decide our coursework, dissertation topic, project supervisor and we even have the freedom to crash and burn. Many candidates fail to complete their doctorates because they lack understanding of the process.
