Introduction -- Exploring the opportunities for postgraduate study and research -- Liaising with institutions -- Setting yourself up in a supportive way of life: the pervasive influences of personal circumstances -- Settling in as a new student -- Towards recognizing quality in research -- Interacting with your supervisor(s) -- Keeping records -- Planning ahead -- Managing yourself and your time -- Taking responsibility for your own progress -- Cooperating with others for mutual help and support -- Producing reports -- Giving presentations on your work -- Using the research programme as preparation for employment -- Progress checks and hurdles -- and the transfer from MPhil to PhD -- Coming to terms with originality in research -- Developing skills for creative thinking -- Dealing with flagging -- Producing your thesis -- Preparing for the examination and conducting yourself in the oral/viva -- Afterwards.