I think you can probably take the units you've completed and get a pg diploma. I think it will up to the uni to decide whether they will let you do this without providing them with an explanation. Have you checked your handbook? You can probably find it online.

It's pretty easy to obtain funding for biomedical research if you're flexible about start date, type of research and location.

I don't know how difficult or easy research positions are to obtain but personally I wouldn't bother with doing a research assistant position first. I don't think this really helps you when applying for PhDs, especially since you said you have already done quite a lot of lab work. It also increases the likelihood that you'll stay in a research position and not do a PhD. All the PhD students I know have either gone from a BSc, MSc or taken a gap year prior to starting a PhD. None of them has had a research position first. Additionally, I know of a few research assistants that have been hanging around for years on low pay waiting for the PhD promised by the PI that never materializes.

I would go straight for a funded PhD if I were you.

I really don't think sending a follow up email will have made the slightest bit of difference. I seriously doubt the academics will remember which people sent an email and which didn't. I expect it would just have clogged up their inbox anyway...

Don't despair at not getting the position. You sound like you have learnt from this experience so take that forward with you to your next interview :)

There's lots of threads about interviews on here so have a little search. My advice would be to read up on the uni - student numbers, research interests etc. Also read the supervisors publications and recent literature surrounding your topic so that you sound like you have some prior knowledge. Always be positive, don't pretend you know the answer to something if you don't and be enthusiastic. Good luck!

I agree with the above comment. We have all felt like you do right now. It seems it's a prerequisite for a PhD.

If it's in the arts or social sciences I don't think it matters too much how often you attend the uni. For my case in the sciences I need to be there every day. Can someone not in the sciences comment on attendance?

Not really. Most people don't have articles before they start a PhD. Actually a lot of people don't get articles published until they've finished either!

Also bear in mind that a PhD is about learning and training. Most of us start a PhD with absolutely no idea what we are doing and just pick up things along the way.

The US students seem to be learning things specific to their field rather than general biology stuff. If you find the core text books in your field and read those you can't go far wrong.

For example, if they are working in virology and human health, they will be taking those classes. They won't be taking classes on general cell biology etc as it will be assumed these will have been covered in undergrad.

You are correct though - they have a much higher level of knowledge in comparison to us European students. I share your levels of inadequacy.

Only you can decide whether to follow your instincts or not. It depends how reliable they are. Have you had experiences in the past where you have followed your instincts and then regretted it?

I personally don't think an extra masters will help you in the job market, since you already have one. It might lead some employers to question why the Mphil when you already have a MA since they may suspect it was because this was supposed to be a PhD. Others will have no idea what an Mphil even it. It depends on the person, the company and the area of work.

My experience of interviews, having been both interviewer and interviewee, is that firstly your CV needs to be good and to stand out from the rest. You obviously need to have the qualifications required but aside from that, most employers seem to give jobs to the people they 'like' in an interview. It's up to you to determine what they are going to like (is it hard work, intelligence, motivation, extroversion, team work ? etc) and then present this person to them. I've never heard someone say 'let's interview this person because they have this degree from this university'. Mostly they were interviewed based on their experience and whether they sounded like a good fit based on their personal statement or cover letter.

If you are not planning to work in Academia, most employees couldn't care less about whether you have two postgrad degrees. If your heart is not in it, you may as well leave. Do what your instinct tells you to do.

I think you can appeal if you want to. Maybe discuss this with your supervisor if you both feel you the work you have done warrants a PhD not an mPhil

There's no such this as an easy PhD my friend. If you "can't learn too much" then a PhD isn't for you. You can't do an online PhD either. You should probably pursue other options.

I've thought about being in this situation when I finish my PhD since I made need to get a job but also want to maintain contact with my university. I thought I would take the fulltime job, but book holiday, work different shifts or call in sick at the job if I had to, in order to accommodate my uni work.

Since the work at uni will only be for 3 - 6 a week and not every week, I think that this should be achievable to do both. Alternatively if the work were to fall regularly, I'd just ask to change my working pattern or reduce my hours at the job.

If I were you, I'd take the job, especially as you don't know the start date anyway. You can work out what you are doing to do about working it later.

We can't really help you with these sorts of questions. You need to review the literature and find a potential gap to research.