Thanks for the responses. Perhaps it's unclear from my post but I've already agreed to do this and have accepted the money. I'm really after some practical advice (if possible) on proofreading. I'll be doing at a chapter at a time.

Hi all,

I've been asked by a friend my department to proof-read her thesis, a chapter at a time in the New Year. I've been offered good money to do it and I've been told it's just for syntax and spelling rather than editing (I have very little subject knowledge). I'm just a first year but this person has been wonderful and I want to make sure I do it very well.
I've proof-read essays before for friends but this, an entire thesis, is a much bigger deal and I want to make sure to do it well.

Does anybody have any advice?

Thanks - what do you think about getting a place in Tynemouth. It's only a 20 minute drive (I'm definitely bringing my car up regardless) and it's 30 odd minutes on the metro. I can get lots more for my money and I love the idea of moving somewhere coastal and quiet after living in central london for so long.

Hello! I'll be starting at Northumbria this autumn on a stipend. I've lived in shared accommodation for the past ever and I'm dying for my own place - even if it's tiny and a bit far out. I have a car which I'm happy to take up with me (I've been studying in central London so I haven't used it much). Can anybody recommend a decent area to look at renting? I don't mind not living in the most studenty area as long as it's safe. I have savings from my part time jobs and I'm working with a budget of around £500 per month but lower would be better.
If anyone has any recommendations that would be great.

Thanks

S

Thanks for the congrats!
It was my second PhD application and it's a different university to the one where I did my undergraduate degree. I applied to my home university earlier on this year and got a place but didn't secure any funding. The studentship I'll be taking up in the Autumn is a competition funded place at a different university.

Hope that's helpful!

Just a little update- I've been offered the studentship!
The interview was mainly about my current studies and about the details of my proposal. There was also a little on how I can contribute to postgraduate life in the department too.
So happy and very excited to be making this big move. I got a 2.1 for my undergraduate degree and thought/ was told that I had no chance securing PhD funding especially in the humanities.

Thanks to everybody who offered advice on this forum. :)

That sounds like full funding in London so I don't think there'll be other major costs. Best of luck with the interview!

Hello all!

I've had a whirlwind few weeks- preparing for MA exams, finishing off coursework and prepping for a PhD interview.
Amidst all of this I've had some lovely but quite unexpected news- two abstracts I submitted to conferences have been accepted.
Initially, I was ecstatic as I didn't expect anything to come of these submissions.
One is based on coursework I've just finished and the other is tangentially linked to my undergraduate dissertation and an area I've research privately for the last year.
The first conference is a postgraduate one which looks quite fun. The second conference though is a really big deal and although they definitely recognise postgrads (they even have a prize dedicated to pre-doctoral presenters), I'm kind of scared to present to such authorities when my application was kind of done on a whim.
Should I drop out and save conferences for when I'm doing my PhD studies?
Or just go for it? Does a bad conference presentation 'stay on your record' - I don't want to anger or bore the big name academics who might be listening to me!

thanks for any and all advice!

Hello!
I have a studentship interview coming up next week - any pearls of wisdom?
So far I've read my application, my proposal and have gathered information about the department (including reading a few recent papers). I've updated my CV which I've got prepared to take with me, a copy of a recent feedback have had from a successful conference paper submission and have re-read the sample of written work I submitted. Should I do anything else?

The interview is 30 minutes and I believe there will be a panel.

Thanks for any and all advice!

S

Thanks for the laugh, advice and comments everybody - very helpful indeed if I do end up having to make the choice. I imagine the decision will be made for me...Happy Thursday everybody!

Just as a different perspective, my offer took almost 3 weeks to come in post interview. I would echo the above though and say drop them a polite e-mail.

English Language/linguistics

'London's global university'
and
N...umbr.ia

(sorry to be cryptic- I don't want to give myself away too much)
Thanks for all of the advice so far.

I have a BA and MA from a very highly ranked Russell Group University. I hold an offer for a PhD at said university but no funding. I am applying for a funded place at a (very good) ex poly. Would it be crazy to take up the funded place? How would it impact on academic career prospects?

I've been given just a couple of days notice about my phd interview and i'm really nervous. I've been told that it will be a relatively informal discussion about my research proposal.
It's the only university I've applied for and I have my heart set on it. I have a string of other deadlines coming up and feel that my position could be jeopardised by the short notice.

does anybody have any advice?
Thanks