Oh most definately!
I finished my first degree in English with a 2:1 in 2001. Then I did my Masters three years p/t, while also doing my PGCE (teaching degree) at the same time full-time! This year I did two Level 3 English courses with the OU and was tempted to do another...and then I thought that instead of dilly-dallying I should do my PhD. I did my PGCE with the hope of teaching/researching at a university, and ended up doing secondary teaching - which just sucked my soul!!

I work for Reuters - and work from home. I have a 2 and a half year old daughter and kinda live between two cities - so I never really know where I am from week to the next! That's why I am doing part-time because I cannot commit to a full-time PhD which requires more face-to-face time with your supervisor. And as the OU has so much experience with distance learning I am confident that it will suit my learning style - which is to be left alone!

Pjlu - don't worry abt the lengthy post, it was what I was hoping for! It can be easy to feel 'isolated' on a PhD without the security of other courses where you can interact with other students. Am hoping that we can all 'support' each other via this thread.

I know I only emailed the tutor yesterday but I wish that she would hurry up and reply - making me paranoid that she doesn't think that my ideas are worth replying to!

Flack - stay positive. You have as much chance as anyone else to get funding so go in there all confident and everything will fall into place! Seven places wow! Are these all advertised studentships?? The problem with doing an English Lit PhD is that I cannot seem to find any :(

What subject is your degree in??

I did my Masters with the OU and am applying to them first because the tutor I want has published alot in the subject area and the university itself has received alot of funding for its work on British Asian Lit up to 1950 - I want to explore this from a much more contemporary and recent angle. I know that Leeds Uni has tutors in the same field and if I don't get anywhere with the OU I will apply to them.

So I assume from your message that you've submitted your proposal and it's been accepted? Did you have a face-to-face interview too? Are you going to be working full/part-time too? I am able to work from home at the moment so hoping studying at the same time won't be too much. I want to have my proposal written and submitted and accepted soon so I can get prep done before start date (Sept/Oct) find resources etc and get on with it! How many years are you hoping to complete your PhD in?

Hi! I have just emailed a tutor at the OU with some PhD ideas - I only emailed her yesterday but keep checking for a response! I am hoping to do a part-time PhD and am eager to start! Will see what she says and maybe try one more uni before making a decision. My PhD would be in English Lit - and I have so many ideas and can't pinpoint one! I just wanted to set up a thread for anyone else who is applying for a 2011 start so we can talk abt our experiences and give each other support and advice. I've already done a big dissertation for my MA but this is something else! I was not aware of the oral examination/defence until a few days ago, so I am sure that I will find a lot more things out along the way!
So please add ur comments - where have u applied? what subject? have u gone straight to ur proposal or bounced ur ideas off a potential supervisor? are u applying to a uni u have studied at before or are u applying somewhere new? Anything and everything!!
Good luck x