Hi,

I am biochemistry undergraduate (BSc expected next summer), currently looking for postgraduate studentship (PhD preferred). I have put my CV at jobs.nature.com, newscientist.com, made a website with other docs (grades, recommendations, personal statement, etc.)... I also write emails to supervisors I am interested in, paste a link to my docs... What other methods would you suggest to hunt an interesting research project, supervisor, and studentship?

As I am from Eastern Europe, I am going to take an IELTS exam. Are there any folks from admission side? How is important my low score if I have supervisor who is interested in me, I have excellent grades, even scientific publication? May universities tolerate this?

I thank you in advance for your answers!

Tomas, the most productive approach would be to make a list of universityies in the Uk in which you are interested and which have a department specialised in your field. Then to email to scientists there who work in the field you are interested in (I mean more specialised field) and to apply to these universities.

PS. I would not rely on probability that you get accepted even if you cant pass IELTS with sufficient score. at the end of the day you will have to submit theses in English and universities are not interested in students who cant pass their thesis in time just because they dont know emglish very well....

I have passed IELTS exam with an overall 8.0. Hasn't been of much help yet, as although was made an offer couldn't secure funding. Recently applied for a funded studentship from another university. Do you think that such a score AND excellent references from top scientists could compensate an upper second from overseas, plus a postgrad certificate from a poorly rated uk university? Plus a 4-year experience in a state-of-the-art lab conducting research under supervision from some great people in the area?

About the IELTS now: studied english in school for 10 years, then had my 1-year postgrad experience, then usingh english everyday at work. Bought materials, and borrowed all the tests (din about 30-40 full tests), and learnt for about 2 months for 2-3 hours each day. I was pretty stressed out during the exam, got a 9.0 at the listening, 7 at writing and 8 at both speaking, and reading. Reading section seemed really hard, didn't expect to get an 8, speaking was easy, and quite surprised I got an 8, was pretty sure I'd get a 7. Any comments most welcomed.