How to Fail Your Research Degree:
The Ultimate Board Game for Grad Students

Dive into the fun and educational World of 'How to Fail Your Research Degree'

Are you a graduate student or an academic looking for a fun way to unwind? Do research skills lectures cause you to fall asleep, no matter how important you know the topics are?

Introducing 'How to Fail Your Research Degree', the board game that turns the trials and tribulations of earning a research degree into an hour or so of laughter and camaraderie. Despite its scary name, this game is designed to bring joy, humor, and a bit of levity to the serious journey of completing your research degree.

Why Choose 'How to Fail Your Research Degree'?

Relatable Humor: Every challenge, setback, and victory in this game is inspired by real-life experiences of research students, making it a relatable and entertaining experience.
Perfect for Livening up Tutorials: Whether you're just starting out on your proposal, or already doing your research degree, this game is perfect for gatherings of students and academics.
Educational Fun: While the game is humorous, it also subtly educates players on the common pitfalls and challenges faced during a research degree, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of the process.
Stress Relief: Balancing the demands of a research degree can be stressful. This game offers a fun way to de-stress and bond with peers who understand your journey, whilst getting immediate feedback from your research skills tutor.

event cards from How to Fail Your research Degree research game

example activity tiles from How to Fail Your research Degree game

How to Play

The game is designed for 2-12 players and typically lasts 60-90 minutes, including the debrief. Here’s how it works:

Set Up Your Journey: Each player starts as a new grad student and navigates through various stages of their academic journey.
Draw Event Cards: Players draw cards that present humorous and sometimes exaggerated challenges typical of student life.
Strategize and Adapt: Use strategy and a bit of luck to overcome obstacles, avoid setbacks, and make it to graduation.
Best Thesis or Dissertation Wins: but everyone will enjoy the hilarious journey.

What’s Inside the Box?

Event cards: 60 Event cards
Context Activity cards: 101 Context Actvity cards
Implementation Activity cards: 80 Implementation Actvity cards
Write-up Activity cards: 72 Write-up Actvity cards
Plan Activity cards: 56 Plan Actvity cards
Custom punch-outs: 4 Custom punch-out pieces

Who Can Benefit from 'How to Fail Your Research Degree'?

Taught Master's and MRes Students: The game is particularly suitable for taught master's and Master of Research (MRes) students, providing a fun and engaging way to familiarize themselves with the academic skills and activities necessary for their research journey.
First-Year PhD Students: Equally useful for first-year PhD students, this game highlights the risks and pitfalls that can affect their academic journey.
Final Year Undergraduates: Final year undergraduates undertaking independent research projects can gain insights into the academic process through this game.
Early Career Researchers: Early career researchers can use the game to (re)familiarize themselves with managing a project and navigating the terminology of research.
Novice Researchers and EAL Students: The game is also beneficial for novice researchers and those with English as an additional language, helping them understand the terminology and processes involved in academic research.