Thanks for the comments. This is probably the best way to approach things, but as I get older the idealism of going with your heart (in a professional/academic context) and hoping for the best becomes a more and more unwise choice...especially when the professional and financial consequences are harder to reverse compared to when you're younger. At least with the part-time option, although still personally and financially draining, you can continue with your job/career. But, like I mentioned before, I can't see how that route would be as enjoyable or rewarding as being full-time (funded).

Hi Tenzin,

Thanks for your views - your perspective is very insightful, as your experience seems very similar to what could be ahead of me. Your quote above pretty much sums up my thoughts about it all. I hope it all works out for you.

Thanks for your comments too, Dunham...I think part-time is the way to go should I decide to take the plunge.

To be honest, I'm never clear as to where the line between the humanities and social sciences begins /ends or vice-versa! My area is sociolinguistics/English language with a strong historical and philosophical focus, so maybe it's between the two fields!

Anyway, I appreciate the feedback...some of the specific facts and figures are useful/depressing. All these issues, combined with my already cynical view of the 'commercialisation' of university education, make me question the wisdom of making all those professional and financial sacrifices necessary to complete a PhD.

Thanks for your comments. I take your point about doing it for the passion and worrying about career later...that would generally be my approach. However, especially when you're at my age, the very real practicalities of being employable/having secure employment becomes a defining issue in a decision like this.

I'm starting to feel that continuing to work and doing it part-time is the practical option, although I think I would miss out on a lot of the things that full-time students experience...greater focus on your topic/research, interaction with peers/academics, access to (relevant) lectures etc...and it would take so long to complete!

Hi everyone,

I know there are several threads about (the difficulty of) getting academic posts, but they're mostly old/don't address my specific concerns...so here's another thread on the topic! Could anyone give me a little more insight into the jobs market in the UK - specifically in the humanities?

I'm a 44 year old currently trying to decide between taking the leap into a PhD (linguistics) and questioning the wisdom of that leap. I've gone between being almost 100% certain about doing it to feeling that it would be a waste of 3 years+.

My main concern is what my prospects will be afterwards. I have heard that academic posts are becoming more and more short-term, temporary and, even then, fiercely competitive (I have a teaching background but not sure if that would really make much difference).

I love my PhD topic, have a great potential supervisor and have a genuine desire to do the PhD, but the realities (especially at my age) of securing a reasonably secure academic position afterwards is a major concern. Although I have a passion for my area of research and would regret not doing the PhD, I think I would regret it even more if I found myself not being able to use it for an academic career...plus, whether funded or not, being poorer after the 3 years!

Thanks for reading my post...any insights or experiences are appreciated.