Finding a Supervisor

Choosing a supervisor whose research interests and mentoring style align with your goals is essential for success in graduate studies.

Domestic Applicants:

You are strongly encouraged to identify a supervisor before applying to RSI. This strengthens your application and ensures a strong research fit. If you haven’t yet secured a supervisor, you may still apply and seek support from RSI Graduate Coordinators. Admission will be conditional on confirming a supervisor before the start of your studies.

International Applicants:

All international applicants must identify a supervisor before submitting their application.

Tips on How to Find a Supervisor

Early supervisor identification helps you prepare a strong application and lays the foundation for a productive graduate experience. Your supervisor will guide your research and support your growth as a scholar and professional.

Explore research areas that excite you and review potential supervisors on our website.

Reach out to faculty whose work aligns with your interests. Share your enthusiasm and include your academic transcripts and an updated CV/resumé.

Prepare for your meeting by reading about their research and thinking about how your interests connect. This helps you have a meaningful conversation about potential projects, funding opportunities, and expectations.

A good match benefits both sides: your supervisor’s insights can help refine your research direction and strengthen your application. If a strong fit is identified, they may provide a letter of support for your application.

Talking to a Potential Supervisor:

Before and during your conversation, consider discussing:

Your qualifications: Grades, research experience, and any required test scores (e.g., English proficiency).
Research interests: Topics you wish to explore and how they relate to the supervisor’s work.
Career goals: How the supervisor and lab can support your professional development.
Funding: Possible funding options and strategies (see our Funding page).
Program fit: Whether the MSc, PhD, with or without a collaborative program best suits your goals.
Supervision style: Ask about the potential supervisor’s mentorship approach, experience, number of students, and average completion times.
Student experiences: Request to speak with current or past students for additional insight.

If you are experiencing challenges identifying a supervisor, please seek support from RSI Graduate Coordinators.