Assalamualikum. Hi.
I graduated with my Master's Studies in 2023; it feels like just yesterday. It was a miracle that I graduated despite all the struggles and the feeling of wanting to give up and quit every semester. While doing my Master's, the thesis subject somehow piqued my interest, and I dream of pursuing a PhD. Finally, after contemplating it a few times, the offer letter dropped into my inbox last week, and I wanted to share the application process and interview experience with you guys, hoping it will help if you want to pursue a PhD too.
After experiencing doing part-time Master's at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), where I had to travel to Kuala Lumpur every weekend, I know that I don't want to have that physically exhausting life ever again. Hence, for my PhD, I chose Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Seri Iskandar, which is closer to my house. Actually, I checked with the university first whether the course that I wanted was available at Seri Iskandar or not.
I plan to study in the scope of the Built Environment. UiTM offers two research programmes - PhD in Design and Built Environment (mixed-mode) and Doctor of Philosophy in Built Environment (research). While I was contemplating between the two, my former lecturer advised me to go for mixed-mode instead. It's a better structured and guided programme, rather than a full research mode.
You can browse through the programmes offered here(click), and the application is done online here(click). Even though it's a mixed-mode programme, the application form still needs a research title. Also, it needs two referee reports, where one is an educational referee - meaning, a lecturer. The application opens in two sessions, for the March intake and the October intake. You can constantly browse through the website to be alerted to the important dates.
Once I've done with the application process, I was added to a WhatsApp group, calling for an interview session, which was also done online using Google Meet. There were only two panels for the online interview. I was asked to introduce myself, my family background, my study background and my working experiences. They also asked me to explain what topic I plan to focus on for my thesis. Lastly, they asked where I got the information on this course. I was nervous at first, but the interview session was more like chatting with the panels, trying to get to know the students.
A few weeks later, I got the offer letter, and now I have gone through two weeks of lectures. So far, so good. I love that the students are diverse in background, and how each class was conducted professionally. Wish me all the best, guys!
Do you plan to take a PhD too?
Till then,
Lya.
0 comments