Overview of WithoutAClue on PostgraduateForum.com

Overview of WithoutAClue

Signup date: 09 Jul 2009 at 2:57pm

Last login: 11 Jul 2009 at 5:58am

Post count: 10

Recent Posts

Any information appreciated.

WithoutAClue 10 posts
15 years ago

I had hoped the PhD would be a similar workload to the MA, which ticked along nicely with an hour a night and a few extra on the weekend. Obviously not the case. Doesn't look like it's a good fit for my situation at the moment.

Thanks for your replies. I'm in awe of anyone undertaking such a headache. You should all be proud of yourselves.

Or... medicated. :-)

One of the two.

Thanks again.

Any information appreciated.

WithoutAClue 10 posts
15 years ago

Quote From starshine:

In general, there are two ways of obtaining a place to do a PhD. The first would be to apply for a PhD that has already been decided by a particular supervisor and usually comes with funding, that you find on a website like this or a specific uni website. The other way is if you know what you would like your topic to be (there or there-abouts) you can find a supervisor with similar research areas to yours and approach them about doing your research with them. But approaching a supervisor is certainly a viable idea, but you would need to have a specific area that you would want to go into first.

In regards to doing a full-time PhD and workin full-time, I would say this would be extremely difficult, if not near impossible. I wouldn't have time for a part time job, let alone a full time one!!!!

Hope that helps.

Good luck!

Thanks Starshine. Sounds like I've underestimated the work load involved.

Any information appreciated.

WithoutAClue 10 posts
15 years ago

Hi Poppy! Thanks for the reply.

I think it would be hard to work full time and also do a PhD full time, it might not be impossible, but certainly extremely challenging. It would be like having two full time jobs. Is this really what you want to do?

Yes, it is really what I'd like to do. I really enjoyed the MA (workload and all).

Generally, I am not sure I understand what you would like to do for your PhD. PhD means research, so you would be researching certain aspects about scripts for film/tv (etc), what would that be? Did the MA include some part of writing yourself, and if that is what you want to do mainly, that is different from a PhD on screenwriting..

Sure. I suppose what I've posted would be the equivalent of saying "I'd like to study for a PhD in electronics" without specifying what area.
I don't know which specific research area to be honest; I don't know if these research areas are suggested by the university or the student.

If indeed you want to research screenwriting and not actually write a script yourself, yes, why not approach universities/departments that offer MA's. I presume it would help to already have an idea of what aspect you want to research, and maybe some other departments might be more appropriate - film, media, history...?

Yes, I'd like a PhD. The actual screenwriting is a lot easier without tutors. :-)

So it'd be fine to think up an area of research and then approach a local university? Is this a common / the only approach?

Thanks!

Any information appreciated.

WithoutAClue 10 posts
15 years ago

Reading back I realise my post may be too general.

a) I'd like to know how a PhD is for want of a better word 'found'. If I can't find a university that offers a PhD in a screenwriting related area, can I suggest a screenwriting related project to a university that offers screenwriting at postgrad level?

b) Does anyone have a rough idea of costs for a student that is self funded?

c) Is there a problem with studying for a PhD while working full time (other than the heavy workload)?

Thanks.

Any information appreciated.

WithoutAClue 10 posts
15 years ago

======= Date Modified 09 07 2009 16:07:39 =======
Hello! I'm a first time poster and ... short time reader.

Having recently completed an MA in screenwriting, I was wondering about the possibilities of a PhD in the same. Could any kind soul with a couple of minutes give me a general outline of my options?

I'm in the London area and would like to continue with my current full time job while studying.

I haven't found any PhDs in screenwriting through searches at forums such as this one.

Bob.

PS Are PhD project areas always suggested by the university?