I forgot something! Regarding the all confusing 'Bologna process', it seems to be accepted that 1 ECTS = 2 UK credits. However, most UK masters are composed of 180 UK credits. Our European partners however feel that in a yearlong master's, the most credits one can achieve is 60 ECTS, this would only equate to 120 UK credits. This seems to be the accepted opinion across Europe, minus the UK. Surely this wouldn't affect my application as it’s a difference people are aware of? I say this because I know many funded post-grads at my u/g institution which came from Europe to the UK and received funding with no issue.

Once more, brilliant feedback. I think I'm going to, on the basis of your advise, research a few institution and submit more than one application. I feel it would perhaps be rash to put all my eggs in one basket/ institution, even if I do have a preference for certain institutions.

Regards,

Jonathan

Thanks again bewildered. I can relate to the methods fanatics. At my u/g institution we had one tutor who had far too much of an interest in methods. I remember him finding out I actually used mixed-method software to construct the research design for my u/g dissertation and from that point on, sent me weekly emails linking me to methods articles. Needless to say he very much misjudged my interest area! I have actually had a largely informal offer from a member of staff at my u/g institution who has said, providing my proposal is sound, he would really like to supervise me. Would this give me any sort of sway when competing for funding?

Regarding the Leiden experience, I think I should be ok selling it academically. Simply put I believe out of the master's courses I looked at, minus MUNDUSMAAP (which at 2 years was far too long and expensive), it suits my future aspirations best. My draft proposal is largely European administrative practice in focus, a research area Leiden currently invest heavily in. Furthermore, it offers one of the few academically grounded MPA programmes and hopefully will allow me to study at an associated institution in the EMPA network, allowing me to pick up extra academic qualifications along the way too!

One final point actually. Is there potential for a scenario to develop where I apply to an institution, they accept my proposal and offer funding but, due to the nature of the institution, they wish me to do a research MA first in a 1 + 3 format? I imagine this can be the case in some cases if a funding committee concludes one needs further academic training.

Hi bewilldered. My UG institution has funding in my area, along with two other institutions as part of a research consortium. I will draw up potential supervisors and also short-list a variety of institutions. Also thanks for that hint, its something I wouldn't have thought about yet it seems critical. I have a feeling that the Euro social sciences demand a somewhat more direct and specified approach than the UK institutions.

Regarding not applying with a research but a taught master's, will this make any discernible difference? It seems that a lot of places whilst encouraging individuals to undertake a research MA actually give out a lot of their funding to people coming from the taught Ma/ MSc route. I was told by my current u/g ESRC admissions tutor that so long as the taught master's covers some form of methods it usually makes little difference as the majority of research MA individuals undertake such a cause as they are funded via 1 + 3 schemes, basically bagging a free MA. for the record, of the 60 ECTS credits, 10 concern methods and the remaining 20 the MSc thesis. That equates to 50% of the course having some sort of research/ methods basis which I'm assuming meets the threshold for most UK institutions.

Hi all,

A little bit about me. Recent grad about to undertake an MSc at Leiden in Public Administration. Ideal career would be that of a researcher or academic mind!

Anyway, on to the important stuff. Next year I play to complete my maser's at Leiden. the strength of the institution, the course, the value for money and Leiden's international reputation made it a no brainier as I could afford to fully finance my studies. I have aspirations in returning to the UK to complete a PhD however. Regarding funding routes, I am ware of both +3 and 1 + 3 funding. What is the best means to secure such funding. Also regarding my MSc, will this put me at an advantage, disadvantage or neither? Initially my undergraduate institution advised me to do a research master's. As I missed the deadlines and costs are high in the UK, I decided instead to do a taught master's, both for wider employability and value for money. I have since been informed that I would be legible for +3 funding so long as my master's had a research design element, which it does. They may have changed their line on this since I did particularly well at undergraduate level. I am also from the qualitative side of the research spectrum it should be noted.

Secondly, institution. I really liked my undergraduate institution and got on well with people in the department. My previous tutor is even assisting me in drafting a proposal which has proved invaluable. In terms of a PhD, is the supervisor or institution more important? I could quite happily work under this tutor to complete my PhD but some institutions may have better resources/ links for the type of research I wish to undertake. as my proposal is largely governance/ public administration focused- places like LSE with dedicated government departments are among the other places I am considering.

Any advice in helping answer my questions are greatly appreciated!