Thanks Mackem_Beefy,

I think when I decline the offer I may explore deferring, or inquiring about switching to part time.

My instinct is that I'd struggle to stay focused part time for 3-6 years. At 37 would I be interested in losing all my spare time whilst working hard, too.

I'll definitely think about the part time option... But my instinct at the moment is that with my grades and experience, if I don't do THIS PhD, and I later decide I want to do one. I should hold out for funding. It was only worth self-funding to stay with my supervisor and choose my own area. If I couldn't do that I'd want funding at another time.

Thanks everyone, I'm almost certain I'm declining the PhD offer... I may regret that in a month if I don't have a job... But that in itself should tell me that isn't reason enough to commit to a PhD!

Thanks HazyJane,

I think the key word there is "could".

A PhD may be valued in my plan B's...but over the last week, weighing up the personal enjoyment of a PhD research, the cost, plus unearned wages and chance of a career in research afterwards... I think my decision is to decline my offer of a place.

If I regret it, or think "what if" then I can apply again for a part time funded place in the future.

I have no idea how to tell my supervisors. They are seriously fantastic and I enjoy talking to both of them. They've given me so much time I don't know what to say.

My Dad also insists I speak with him first. Never too old!! I think everyone is slightly disappointed that I'm probably not going to do it now, they all know how much I enjoy learning... But I think I've reached an age where I need to be rational and career orientated. A PhD would be a route to academia for me, and that is both unlikely... And subject to the current changes in university culture. Both of which I have concerns about :(

I think it's probably a 'no' for the PhD :(

I hear you!!! I did similar sums...

Plan B after completing PhD: research think tank, project management, marketing... I'm flexible.

Plan B without PhD: enter project management now as assistant, or trainee manager, aiming for project manager then programme manager. I've loved implemented a project in the past for a charity...the challenge, change, end goal and sense of achievement.

Without doing a PhD (I may still do one one day for fun), short term I might write a fiction novel, learn to paint... Intellectually I need to do SOMETHING!!



I'm sad about the direction HE is taking, and how this may harm the experience of undergrads. I didn't just want to imagine lecturing as it was fifteen/twenty years ago. I love research, but if research becomes the sole focus of the university business, at the expense of education... talent may leave to make more money elsewhere. I absolutely love research and methodology... But rationally I am now 80% certain the personal enjoyment of a PhD doesn't match the practical 'boring' benefits of employment.

Thanks everyone, I know most are doing PhD's and have thought about similar issues, or worried about them.

Thanks for your input,

I love research... But more than that I love the challenge. I would NEVER speak like this in person, but on a phd forum I expect we might all be able to relate to this:

I'm pretty bright... Well, what I mean is, in regular employment, having an IQ that may be fifty points above your co workers can be a very mixed blessing. I have never had a job that challenged me. I moved from teaching because I was stifled, went into the charitable sector and worked under people far less able than myself... Essentially I have always felt limited and unchallenged in employment.

Whether this is enough reason to peruse a PhD, I don't know.

Whether a life in academia would be more stimulating than employment in business or the public sector, I don't know.

I received my official unconditional offer tonight in the post. I felt nothing when I saw it, and the sooner I reach a decision to accept or decline/defer and get a career the better.

I'll keep checking back here. I know I would love the challenge of a PhD intellectually. But I've also been in the job market... And know that idealism can't make up for a rubbish job at the end of three years if hard work!! Even if you do get to call yourself "Dr"!

I have my partner and mortgage to think about. I just need to work out if it's worth the 'risk', just to get a job in academia and an intellectual challenge.

The downsides of the academic life are not lost on me, it's a shame things are heading the way they are. So much of our talent may be lost or downhearted in such a system.

Thanks guys. The posts so far have been really useful.

Thanks aislingB,

I'm also worried anout the isolation you mention. I moved to a new city a year ago and only know my partner. I currently see a friend around once every two weeks, and am seriously missing a routine! And that's just after the research dissertation during an MSc.

I'm pleased you mentioned things like loneliness and confidence... I think they are serious considerations and already impact on me.

My supervisors are really nice, publish themselves frequently and have already been mentioning things like grant application, conferences, presentations and publications. Publish or perish.

I haven't officially started yet but the time and input they've given me makes me confident they are absolutely the right supervisors. I would recommend them to anyone. We've already decided and designed a first study. I also already have marking work lined up for April.

I feel slightly swept along in the momentum, but I do need to think about lack of routine, confidence, isolation... These things have a big impact in a persons health!

Thanks for your response, and honesty

Hi everyone,

I really do need some input on this, I am awake worrying at 2am :(

My dream job: a psychology lecturer (permanent being the goal)

My concerns:

1. That my dream job is statistically unlikely. I read only 10% of psychology PhD's lead to academic positions.

2. If my dream job is unlikely, is a PhD worth it?

3. If an academic path is as difficult as reported (times educational, guardian articles, royal society figures tracking phd careers) would my time, stress, emotional resilience, money and efforts be better spent progressing in a 'regular' job?

4. Failing my dream job, I just want stability, disposable income and a good life... Alongside intellectual challenge. I know I can earn more outside of academia, and if I don't make it in academia then a PhD may be a backward step.

My circumstances: I have a place on a self-funded PhD. I am 31. I am a qualified ex-teacher and have worked a number of jobs before returning to university. If I applied for a job tomorrow I would accept nothing less than £25-30k. I want to settle down in life but desperately need a challenge. I recently achieved a distinction in my MSc. I loved my research dissertation and was asked by my supervisor to seriously consider a PhD... I did consider it... We get on great. And here I am.

What are your thoughts? I'm really sorry for such a long post... But the short question is: is a PhD worth the 'risk' if an academic career is so unlikely?

I am seriously considering turning down my phd offer, going to work again with my MSc, and getting on with my life. But this nagging thought at the back of my head might always be: I could have been able to do a PhD. And how awesome might that be! I don't know if I'm being rational, too rational, or finding excuses not to start because I'm terrified of trying to get my dream job...and failing.

Thanks HazyJane,

We are fortunate enough to be able to afford a full time PhD... And I work fairly intensively. But I will certainly keep in mind your thoughts on part-time, and also the career outcome of a PhD. Depending on how quickly I progress, it might be useful to get someone cent work on by CV and switch to part time if I have to.

To be honest, I returned to education after a few years in teaching and also a few years in the charitable sector, I just craved using my brain again, and challenging myself!

Of course, the dream would be to have an academic career, I'm sure everyone says the same, but I'm open to whatever routes open up to me.

I'll start planning and thinking over funding routes. It was just more important for us as a couple to get the timing right. We don't intend to stay in this part of the country more than another three years or so.

I've started discussion with my supervisor about grant funding. I guess the form filling practice will all come in useful!!

Many thanks, that was really useful.

Thank you for the link,

I may be misunderstanding the guidance for these routes, I've already researched them on a number of sites, as your page states:

"UK Research Councils do not make studentship awards directly to students, but allocate them to departments and supervisors who then advertise for candidates".

This is also the case with funding from research charities. I'm a UK student and not eligible for international funding routes.

I already have a place and so, although I'm grateful for you taking the time to link me, I don't think I can apply to the research councils or charities. I understood that the university would advertise for funded places, not that an unfounded student could apply to them after getting a place?

Hi everyone,

I have had confirmation that I have a place to study a psychology PhD, to begin in February, 2015.

I wanted to choose my own research area, and applied as self funded.

I'm not great at form filling, or the money side of things... I don't know if, now that I have a place, I can apply for funding or grants. Everything I come across online seems to be aimed at those already on a funded course.

This really is weak my area, I just wanted to choose a subject that interests me, and will hopefully keep me motivated for three years... The money side escapes me!

I can fund myself if needed, and made sure before I applied, but anything would help take some pressure off!