This is advice for humanities but I think you will get the gist
:-)

Congrats Dr Spiderpig :-) go get celebrating. Good to see all these positive stories as I ahv ea meeteing with a potential supervisor on Fri. I come on here so I know what I'm letting mysefl in for! Well done xxxx

HI, no, I wasn't looking for anything in particular, it came up on the thread list like it was a new thread?. I didn't relise it was from so many months ago! RinalL, that's one busy life you have! I hope you find your balance :-)

There are many, many reasons people continue to study and not all of them are for money or better chance of a job. Some people like me actually like studying. How easy is it depends on your aptitude and ability to organise. I started a 3 year part time MA while working 30 hrs per week as a trainer in work based learning (very low pay, under 20K FTE). I had two children a baby and toddler. I finished my MA a year early with a distinction for PgDip year (awaiting dissertation results). In that time I also applied for funding for a small research project for my dissertation and that helped to pay for some of the fees and for the rest I used wages and a professional career development loan. It's do-able. I wouldn't say work load was horrendous. Good luck

No, not intimidated. Thank god for high acheivers, we need them, they are the groundbreakers and thanks to their efforts we've had some amazing advancements in knowledge, medicine and technology. Some will be nice, some will be arrogant, some will be happy with their lot, some will be high achievers to fill some sort of void or sadness in them, some will work very hard at it, for some it will come easy to them. They will be s diverse as the rest of us. Whatever they are like and however they have gone about it hail and thanks to the high achievers. :-)

So after my inital delight at getting an interview for Phd it has been cancelled as they don't think my initial proposal is up to scratch to get a studentship. Thing is my course leader will not even give me a reference, let alone help with a proposal. I feel I need proper advice on how to go about this. Can anyone point me in the right direction? BTW I have no idea why tis person will not give me a reference other than saying I can't apply to Phd until I get my final grade in March but I have found other people at the same uni applied and were accepted before finishing their MA. I was also top of my class last year, got grant funding for my own small project and complketed 9 months early so it's not like I'm not a hard worker?

Thanks

Kelly

Second question. Following all this advice I have contacted the potential supervisor directly and have been invited in for 'a chat' with the Professor and one of their colleagues. Those of you that have been through the process, is this likely to be like an interview type thing or do you have 'a chat' and then get invited for formal interview if they think they can work with you. The uni are currently considering my application. Any tips/advice for the day. Thanks

Thanks for the advice people. Yes it is a humanities field. Clupea, after reading your message I have contacted the PhD uni and they are happy with the first ref and will now consider my application while waiting for an alternative reference from my employer as my job is directly related to the field of study. Phew, panic over. :-)

Hi all. Advice much appreciated. Do you actually have to have your MA marks back, i.e pass, merit, distinction, before applying for Phd? My dissertation is in (supervisor is happy with it) I get grade at Easter to graduate summer 2013 instead of 2014 after completing early.

I'm applying for Phd for Sept/Oct 13 but having trouble getting my course lead to do a reference, despite asking since Oct and the deadline is nearing. Course lead also says to wait until MA grade confirmation before Phd application, but surely people apply whilst still on their MA don't they?

This person also says it will be unlikely I'll get on a Phd at this Russel group uni anyway (I got distinction last year with my supervisor commenting my writing is at a level suitable for academic journal and I hope to be there or there abouts with my dissertation also, fingers crossed! Plus I've over 10 years industry related experience)

They have also not answered any requests when I've asked where else they suggest I apply then e.g their academic contacts. I have no idea if I am being given good advice by this other more senior tutor? My supervisor did their reference ages ago so it's this last one causing all the hold up. I don't want to get too pushy as this person second marks my dissertation.

Thanks
:-)