When you were deciding on your project, obviously the subject area was an important consideration, but what else came into play? Location - maybe near home or converseley away, or the same place you did your undergrad degree? Pressure - maybe a more intense, well thought of uni, or the opposite? Other things - where friends were, a city you liked, etc?

I just want a guide to what people used to decide their project, as this will be my second time round, and really don't want (and can't afford) to mess up again...

Mmm well for me location was an issue as I didn't want to be a million miles from my family and my other half.. Plus there are parts of the country I didn't want to be in.. But at the same time I did want to come somewhere new, as I enjoy getting to know a new city. Then of course there was the reputation of the place, I didn't want to go to a crap uni.

But ultimately it the project was the most important factor, as I wanted to make sure I was doing a project that I had alot of interest in otherwise you could end up in a place u love but doing something you hate.

In my case I followed the project, the project didn't follow me - it was advertised on findaphd.com (thanks team!) and was only available in one University, (as a lot of PhD projects are I suppose), so I guess for me location didn't have much to do with it.

Just happened to be in a nice place too!

My PhD combines all my interests, and brings skill from undergrad and masters 1 & 2 (I suppose school to, as reading Latin again)! Location was not important to me, I have moved around before so it was not important. Orginally good link to my hometown was important, now I wish I wasn't so handy to jump on a low cost airline! When I first visited Loughborough, everything felt right, the people and the place.

Choose a project that fits with what you want to do, and in something that interests you.

Supervisor(s) you think you can get on with.

Alibi, you make a good point, but how can you know whether you'll be able to get on with your supervisor on the strength of an interview, even if you get to speak to some postgrad students as well? Isn't it a bit hit and miss?

I'd agree that there is no way you can be sure you'll get on - that's the case for any relationship. (and I'd also say you can't be sure you'll like living in a town from a view of the station and a couple of hours on the university campus!) But I think the supervisor is something that should be high up the list of things to consider. A lot of it will be on gut feeling, but there are some more objective ways of evaluating the potential - for example if you do best with plenty of support you might not want a supervisor who is always off attendng high powered conferences or one who has a big teaching load and doesnt have so much time for PhD students - whereas these might be ideal if you are very independent and are going to resent a 'hands on' approach. i went for a supervisor who I felt I'd be able to ask idiot questions without feeling embarassed and who'd be supportive to me trying out ideas, because I felt that was going to be important for me getting through the PhD.

I feel exactly the same way about what I want in a supervisor - someone who I feel able to approach, and who will be able to give me some help, especially at the start - although I think as time progresses I'd like to become a lot more independent. So yeah, I'll carry on looking with that in mind. Thanks very much

Obviously the subject matter has to be what interests and motivates you and it helps to be in a location that suits. But it also helps to think in terms of the long term, speak to current postgrads at the institution in question and consider:

- Current research and funding directives at that institution
- Possibility of teaching and presenting at conferences
- Relationship with and support from your supervisor
- Institute facilities and administrative support
- Life after research; you don't have to have a 10 year life map but it helps to have a path in mind

I'm still applying/deciding and having spoken to a few Universities find they're all quite different.

Whatever you decide make sure it's a strategic move that's right for you. It doesn't really matter how you get there (or how long it takes) as long as you do. Whatever happened before is over; move on and enjoy it.