Correction: The group is called 'PhD ideas exchange', and is at present jointly administrated by Nigel and myself. The group is for people who are studying for a PhD or interested in doing so, to exchange ideas and/or set up meetings to discuss anything under the sun. Please feel free to join. If you cannot find the group under that name, please add me (Nick Wool) on FB, and I will invite you to the group. Thanks.

the more the merrier! Is it possible to create a group here (if not, maybe we could create a FB group?), so that all who are interested can arrange meetings etc.?

BTW, to save time as you are getting very near to the deadline, if you have a near completed proposal, have you consider doing your PhD at your present uni? You are still in contact with most of the academics on your course, and they would know your academic abilities, so references etc would be quicker. It might also be easier and better to try and find a potential supervisor there. After all, you are expected to work closely with your supervisor for the next 3-4 years, and having some knowledge of what they are like would be helpful.

What's Politics at Nottingham like? Its also my field, and I hope to start in 2018. I did think about Warwick and Birmingham, but decided against the idea as it would mean relocating. Maybe we could grab a beer/coffee and exchange some ideas when the weather is more conducive to driving (I am based in the North East).

Think the way it is going, funding for the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences will get even more competitive, and loans might be the only way for a large part of the population to pursue a doctorate in the future.

Also, interviews are not always necessary part of the funding process. Two of my funding applications will only be judged on academic achievements, the proposal, supervisory fit, the strength of the references and the CV.

Whilst I think that the lack of top grades need not necessary prevent anyone taking on a PhD, especially for the self-funded route, it would be over-egging the pudding to say that grades are irrelevant in the process. It is probably a fact that top grades do open more doors, and top grades from 'top' unis even more so.

The vast majority (if not all) of funded places do list top grades as prerequisites, and most RC funds do seem to be concentrated in RG unis. I don't see why RG unis outside of Oxbridge should be considered 'better', but it does seem to be case in terms of RC funding.

Hope you have some success in getting alternative funding, and looking forward to that beer/coffee when it gets warmer.

That is indeed impressive. What field you are in, and what sort of funded place were you offered? I am hoping to start a funded PhD in 2018, and would appreciate any advice on the funding process, primarily as back-up in case in my first choice doesn't come through.

Thanks.

Think you might have left it a bit late for entry in 2018 if you are looking for funding. I take it you have not yet found a supervisor who is prepared take on your project, nor have a compete proposal. The supervisor is the key, as s/he will steer you to the right pathway, and the other nitty-gritty of the funding process. If I were you, I'll contact the potential supervisor you've identified, and try to sort something out ASAP.

My experience (I am hoping to start a funded PhD in 2018 as well) is that you can apply for funding without a confirmed offer from the uni. In other words, you can apply for both at the same time, or even apply for funding first, then apply to the uni for a place. You certainly haven't got time to wait for the offer of a place from the uni and hope to meet funding deadlines for 2018, so I'd try to put the application for funding in first, with the help of your potential supervisor, if s/he agrees to take you on and think that you have a decent chance of getting funding.

Good luck with your quest.

Why self-funded? Given your grades and the topic, there ought to be plenty of funding opportunities.

I think Law is under Arts and Humanities, so you should be under the AHRC if you are looking for RC funding. However, if you can find any non-RC funding sources, such as charities, interested organisations etc., they may be your best bet. RC funding in the form of DTPs/DTCs are highly competitive, and without top grades, are impossible to obtain (minimum requirements are a very high 2:1 + very high Merit, preferably with at least a First or Distinction to be plausable).

Maybe it's region specific? The ERSC Funding Guide in our region states that a Master's is necessary in all cases.

TYPES OF AWARDS AVAILABLE
4. A range of studentships can be applied for (in line with the host institution regulations), including:

a) +3 Year Studentships for students who have already completed, or will have completed by the
commencement of their PhD, a Masters that included 60 credits or more of core research methods training.

b) 1+3 Year Studentships for students who are yet to commence a research methods training Masters degree.

c) +3.5 Year Studentships for students who have completed, or will have completed by the commencement of
their PhD, a Masters in a relevant discipline, but who have not completed or will not successfully complete
60 credits or more of core research methods training. Students selected for these awards will also be
registered on and required to complete a 60‐credit Research Training Certificate during their first year of
study, but receive an additional six (6) months funding in support of this.

d) 2+3 Year Studentships for students needing to undertake a research training Masters and a language‐
training Masters. This type of award is only available to students funded to undertake research into the
Language‐Based Areas Studies (LBAS).

You got an offer from Hallam? Congratulations. Certainly less travelling than Preston.

Take this as banter rather than anything else, as my head is aching from trying to get two proposas done to what they expect, and so am using this forum as a welcome distraction. I was making the logical deduction that if low undergrad degree grades devalue a PhD, then by the same token, non-existent A levels would devalue an undergrad degree...:)

[/quote]

No I don't think so.
Excellence is an absolute not a relative thing in my opinion.
My ability to excel at playing the guitar doesn't depend on how good you are for example.[/quote]

But surely if everyone can play the guitar like Hendrix, then that's the norm rather than anything out of the ordinary? And only people who player better would be classified as 'excellent'?

I am a little surprised that the ESRC do a +3.5 studentship, for those whose Masters lack the necessary research method trainings. Can't really complain, as that's the funding I am applying for, and an extra 6 months funding always comes in handy.