Hi HazyJane, thanks for your reply.

The majority of work will be library-based or computer based. Once a week I will also need to commute further to visit my industrial partner. One final point to consider is that the DTP I am on are heavily focused on "personal and professional development" etc, so I will most likely be visiting university quite regularly for these also.

Hi everyone,

I'm getting to the point now where I need to begin looking for accommodation for next year, prior to beginning a PhD.

I do not yet know what my partner may be doing after undergraduate degrees finish (Both in our final year), and there is a chance they'll find something close enough to allow for us to move in together.

I was just wondering as to whether any of you have had any experience of commuting into university regularly for a PhD (5 days a week on the train), or at all, and what your experience of it was? Do you wish you had lived closer? Were there any times in which you were at a major disadvantage for work?

Thank you in advance for any replies!

Hi Poppycat,

No worries, glad I can be of help!

If you ever need a proof-read of one, don't hesitate to send one over my way :)

One of my friends who is doing a PGCE did one of these, thinking it would boost their CV and give them an edge.

They subsequently got asked at interview "Why did you pay to improve your CV?".

I'm guessing the employer didn't look too much into the course and just saw the fee-paying aspect of it. They've been asked that twice in 7 interviews (No job yet).

Is there any way you can get "on-the-job" experience at university by helping out in a practical session, or maybe even mentoring undergraduate students on a one-to-one basis? You could even get paid for it (£17 an hour at my uni for practical sessions apparently!)

Hi gsoglo,

Send me a private message and I can have a look for you if you like :) best to get multiple people to do so though!

As a side note;

I believe that my success was not just down to my written application, but from getting into contact with potential supervisors early, prior to applying. I cannot recommend this enough, someone is far more likely to hire you if a) they have already met you, and b) you've shown that you're really interested by making the effort to get into contact, either in person or (if absolutely not possible) via email or telephone

I believe someone else may be better to answer this question, as I haven't had direct experience of it. There are two ways in which you could approach this.

Firstly, the question could be an opportunity to demonstrate the following;

- (Briefly, 1-2 sentences) How much you know about the methods that are often used in the field?
- What methods you have used in the past and what skills you've developed from them (e.g. "I have previously used method X, which helped develop A B and C. During this project, problem D came up, in which I overcame by doing E, which taught me F and G". That type of thing sounds like it would fit into this question.
- The importance of the methods that will be used. You could let them know that not only is the method incredibly important to the success of the project, but that it will also help you acquire the skills you need for longer term career ambitions etc.
- Probably more things I haven't thought of!

You can also go down the route of answering the question in more of a "what do you know about the specific methods we have mentioned" way (Or if it is your own methodology, you could do a detailed plan of what you want to achieve and how you will do it)

My personal opinion (Others may disagree), is to use the first method. Using every opportunity to show what you're made of is more likely to score you an interview. If they were expecting a more specific approach, they will then ask you that in the interview. The other way around is more risky; they are less likely to take the time to interview you if they are unsure of whether you have the right skills and experience, even if you've researched methodology well.

In summary - let them know why you are uniquely good for the position as early on in the application process as possible.

And as always, I'm not an expert in this field, so always get a second opinion :)

This link should give you a download of the journal volume. Pages 27-32. If it doesn't work, send me a private message and I can email it to you if you like :)

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CCUQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhandle.dtic.mil%2F100.2%2FADA423430&ei=4Lr9VNeFMdDQ7Abwy4DICQ&usg=AFQjCNEMAcSWGSGJE-tDCSzOml-4fhbQGA

The majority of the time, it isn't your previous experience that limits you, but the way in which you fill out applications. "It's much easier to get the job than it is to do the job."

Have you sought much advice from your university careers service (If that's still an option)? I found mine to be very helpful.

Relevant voluntary experience whilst unemployed, even if it's only for a couple of weeks, is always something good to do.

What jobs are you applying for, and do they have a minimum qualification? Many companies require at least a 2:1, or a 2:2 + masters degree (Or experience of course!). Would it be worth applying for a Masters course in your subject area?

Hi poppycat,

What specific questions do you need to answer in the application form? I've recently gone through the application process, and so may be able to offer some advice.

Hi Aarthi, I applied for 2 funded PhD positions and was successful for both of them.

What subject area are you applying for?

I will send you what I wrote for my application to study a PhD in physical oceanography (Research statement and a personal statement).

The two tips I have (Not just from me, but from careers advisors etc) regarding things other than university performance are;

- Make sure that every sentence is relevant to what you are applying for. There's no point in saying that in your spare time, you enjoy free running, playing guitar, or anything else like that, because it doesn't add any value to your application. (You can show you are well-rounded in better ways than this).

- Write something unique that no-one else is going to say. I had a paragraph on how I'd improved my end-of-year grade by over 10% since year 1. You need to write something impressive, but more importantly something that is more impressive than other applications.

I'm sure other people, who possibly have more experience of this than myself, will be able to help you out too, and don't take my advice as be-all, end-all without getting at least a second opinion. :)

Hope this is of help!

Thanks for everyone's help :)

I've chosen based on subject, and can't be excited enough to start! (Probably won't be saying the same thing a few years from now though :P )

Haha my university is to thank ;)

I don't know how to report something as marketing, spam etc (From user "Ho_Mandarin"), but if someone kindly can it would be much appreciated.

Accessing from university at the moment so am not sure whether it will work (As from the same website):

http://ema.sagepub.com/content/36/2/271.full.pdf

If not, I don't know whether I'm able to send via private message? Or could send it via email also :)