Studying at Masters and PhD in the same area and the same institution is positive or negative to enhance the investigator's knowledge?

Not necessary negative - reason being PhD's study focus is different from Master's even though they can be in the same area & within the same university.  Generally PhD is focusing on conducting an in-depth research for new knowledge contribution whereas Master degree is to evaluate whether the student has achieved certain competency which might include the capability to do a smaller scale research.

Moreover, since the student is studying in the same university, s/he might have some advantages like: familiar with the study system, environment, logistics, better rapport with peers & professors etc.

However, if the student studies Master & PhD in different areas in different universities, s/he might also gain certain advantages like: exposure to new field of study, new environment, new friendship, new experience etc.

It is very difficult to say whether it is bad or good. Usually the doctoral research begins in the seminal research, that usually happens during the masters, but that's not necessary. In terms of continuity and ease, continuing in the same area and the same institution is positive. The downside would be seen in terms of inbreeding, also very common in the academy.

In my case, although I did my masters and my doctorate at the same university, I explored areas of knowledge that are distinct, but related: applied mathematics and mathematics education.

Thanks, Rafael Romero!

Hello, dear Osmar, I think there is not a distintion between good or bad. It depends mostly on oneself's interests and attitudes in deeping into some specialization or a polyvalent knowledge. Some researchers have an inclination for deepen into the same field of work and topic, but others have inclination to change for several reasons that it would be good idea to investigate. All the best, Marisa

I think the question is far too general to lead to a meaningful answer. Answers (plural) depend on concrete circumstances, including field, quality of the work environment,  expectations built into national career systems, and others. For example: If you have an opportunity to do a PhD with the best researchers in a field, why would you want to do it elsewhere? If, on the other hand, the group in which youd did your master has a narrow profile or is simply mediocre, you might have learned everything that is to learn from them during your master. In this case there is no point in staying. Don't try to come up with a general rule that ignores the variation of important conditions.

Thank you for the invitation.

I consider that a doctoral research in a different area from this of a master’s research, irrespective of the work place, would enhance the investigator’s knowledge.

But from my experience, this change, many times, is not desirable for someone who has finished a Master’s program before a doctoral program.

Studying at Masters and PhD in the same area and the same institution is positive or negative to enhance the investigator's knowledge?

Not necessary negative - reason being PhD's study focus is different from Master's even though they can be in the same area & within the same university.  Generally PhD is focusing on conducting an in-depth research for new knowledge contribution whereas Master degree is to evaluate whether the student has achieved certain competency which might include the capability to do a smaller scale research.

Moreover, since the student is studying in the same university, s/he might have some advantages like: familiar with the study system, environment, logistics, better rapport with peers & professors etc.

However, if the student studies Master & PhD in different areas in different universities, s/he might also gain certain advantages like: exposure to new field of study, new environment, new friendship, new experience etc.

Dear George, Hang Ping Fung, Jochen Glaser, Aristidis and Maria Luisa,

Thank you for your contributions!

Greetings.

For me, I believe that it is better to change the institute to get more different views and ways of working, thinking and dealing with problems. I do get different  ideas and approaches when just visit an institute, not only to work for a period of time.

Studying at Masters and PhD in the same area and the same institution is positive or negative to enhance the investigator's knowledge?

Dear Osmar,

Besides I agree with Dr. Glaser's comment, I also agree with the others. In my opinion, I like to do both study levels at the same field and university in regard with the easiness, focus, and its continuity. As I know, between enhancing knowledge and continuing the study level may be related, but they are different matter.

Studying at the same institution for master and doctoral degrees will be positive if the institution is supportive, the supervisors are helpful and good mentors. Here, you don't need to start learning new environment afresh, and this can save time and also reduce stress, especially at the early stage of PhD. It encourages continuity.

It can produce negative outcome because you may not learn how to do things differently. Some institutions have established and/or inflexible patterns and many researchers do not accept change easily. This may affect students. From a personal experience, I did BSc, MSc and PhD in three different institutions and this has helped me a lot, especially to have broad knowledge of my discipline. It encourages diversity and versatility.

In addition to academic learning, experiential learning is also required in life. It is better to move as learning level moves up.

It is easier studying in a institute, but for better experience different institutes should be useful

the studying in different institution is preferable for exposing to different environment with different applied techniques hence the comparisons benefits ... etc

Hello everyone!

I greatly appreciate the contributions submitted.

Greetings!

This was a big question for me too. I thought about it for a long time before I applied at my old university...particularly as I not only did a masters at Deakin in the same field, but also my bachelor degree. In the end I'm so please I chose Deakin. It is one of the best university in my field in the area and it has been really helpful that I already have rapport with my supervisor and other lecturers. I definitely think just go with whichever university will be the best for you right now. Don't worry about the fact that your masters might be from the same spot. Good luck!

Many thanks, Leanne!