Wow, thanks everyone for the replies. I can't fund myself, therefore very fortunate to currently be fully funded. Comments from *pineapple* and Arch were particularly helpful. Guess I should stop worrying and try to write a good thesis for the rest of my current programme (ends 2008 so I still have time to think about my applications). Any further comments or suggestions will be gratefully considered. Cheers once again.

Ah, cheers for the swift replies. I'm in a humanities subject area, not social sciences, so v. little funding available. I didn't mention that my grades- 65% and 56% average respectively- are likely to reflect badly on my capacities. This was partly due to a shift of research interests (I changed disciplines), and I'm now trying to redeem myself, though I fear the worst. I hear that 70% or a distinction for the Masters is required, or am I wrong on this? I want to continue to research, because I am enjoying it, seeing it as independent of poor grades. But practically speaking, I feel extremely pessimistic about future prospects.

Hello, I'm writing because I don't know who to speak to about this. I'm currently an MRes student- at a relatively unknown uni. Prior to this, I completed a BA (Hons) 2.1 -at a relatively good uni- and an MA (Taught) Pass- at a top research uni. Should I even think about doing a PhD? I am currently funded (fees + stipend), but I wasn't before. How well would I need to do if I wish to obtain funding for a PhD? I am enjoying my work right now, and my supervisors (BA and MA) think that I could do well in a PhD programme, but is this *really* sufficient? I'd be grateful for any suggestions or advice, thanks in advance.