My masters dissertation is risk management & the principal agent problem, I would not pursue that at doctorate level - I'm interested in investment behaviour and strategy which I see as a future career not just a research pitstop - I totally agree with commonsense on that score. I've just so much going round my head and I guess my instinct is saying go for the phd but my head is saying "what about this etc etc".

Hi, thanks billy & commonsense for your messages and for the links too - will check them out in a minute...
Its good to know others are in my position also. Ru going ahead with the phd billy?? I am a UK student& briefly looked over the funding options and I know if you are someone fortunate enough to get some kind of stipend or grant the money is very very good. But as you noted, the proposal has to be top quality.
I'm okay with maths but doubt myself in a quants role as I'm probably not "mathsy" enough. Its also tough for me as my Msc will be from a very lowly ranked uk uni.

Thats quite a good position to be in o.stoll. I know phd's are hardly ever used as a criterion for employment but I guess amongst other things it was something that made you stand above the rest... plus consultancy and research tend to overlap (Or so I've been told). Do you imagine you would have landed the position without the phd?

By the way what does the message from jouri mean exactly!???

Thank you o.stoll
You are very right. Why should anyone have to justify their choices? (unless they involve hurting someone else of course). I think I am one of those people who needs outside reinforcement, whereas I should listen to my inside thoughts and feelings.

What did you do your phd in and where do you work now?? - I guess I'm trying to look for evidence that a commitment of three years of reseearch will lead to work.

Well thanks for your replies...

I was thinking maybe the phd was just acdemic but I think you are right. It requires skills that you just don't develop in masters level. Its also interesting about the way it is seen in germany compared to uk (i had no idea) but maybe the tide is turning towards phds. In the uk there are 50% of under 30s with a bachelors degree and obviously the next logical step is a masters.

One of the troubles with my masters is that it comes from a very lowly ranked university so its value is not the same as one from oxford. Thats part of the reason I considered doing a phd somewhere better. Oh its tricky! I have so much going round my head - there are other industry specific qualifications e.g CFAs but I just don't know!!!

Hey Dizue, I don't think I can solve your problems for you but you can't let this get you down. Bristol is a very highly ranked UK University so therefore any degree is worth having from them. You cannot start doubting your abilities just yet - There are plenty of opportunities out there. If you want to do a Masters degree then go for it - but it is expensive and funding is pretty doubtful. You could do it part-time and work alongside it which is what I have done (and I'm a UK student struggling to afford tuition fees!).

Stay positive and stay motivated. If you can get exceptional results like 81 - you are obviously very capable!

I say go for it. You are not old at all!! Once you hit your seventies you will look back to your thirties and see it as 'your youth' .... GO FOR IT!!

Hello A1, I guess if you really want to be perfectly prepared (or as best you can!!) I would contact the module leader/tutors and ask them for the reading list or syllabus - that way you can plan ahead and read up on things you've never heard of!
Good Luck, i'm sure you'll be fine!

Well I kind of know how you feel (but won't bore you with my semi-related problems!!) Heres what I think -
Firstly, WELL DONE on the First class result.
Secondly, I think to be offered 1+3 entry is a very fotunate thing to have as an 'option' for you. What Uni is the offer from? How long will the offer be valid for?

The best thing I did was to go to a temping agency in the City (I chose Joslin Rowe as they specialised in Investment Banking - there may be others better suited for your interests but do a search on google anyway!). So register with a London temping agency, get a bit of experience under your belt and THEN go for the top jobs you are really after. If you don't get in with the added experience gained from temping then perhaps its lifes way of saying go for the PhD.

I'm sorry I can't be more help ! Let us know how you get on.

I would start looking at universities where you would like to start research and request information from them. For example, if you know you want to study in London - City University, Kings College or University College London are all good places for your subjects. I would then contact them for prospectuses and email them for advice.
Do you know exactly what you want to research yet?

Sorry I know you wrote this a while ago - but I've only just registered here!! I know people that went to both, heres a summary of what I think:

a) cranfield is in the middle of nowehere but is very very good for postgraduate research and does look good on your CV + will add chances of getting a phd (as its quite research-centric)
B) warwick is about 9th in the league tables so is a good red brick university, which will always impress employers.

Good luck!

Hi everyone, I'm currently studying my Msc Economics with Management and have seriously been considering doing a PhD in September 2008. Not for job propsects as such, but for myself. The trouble is I am worried about the effect a PhD will have on my job prospects (ironically). I don't want to become a teacher or an academic - hopefully I want to become an analyst (but not 100% sure)... All I know is that teaching/academia is not something I want to do for the rest of my life.
My family keep saying 'Just get the masters out of the way and then think about it', but I can't stop wondering what to do!? I know there is the Chartered Financial Analyst qualification which is probably more relevant to someone aspiring for an analyst-type role, but I feel as though at 23 yrs old I should just go4 the PhD and research what I want to research. Oh I don't know if I'm even making any sense! Does/Did anyone go through this? I'm afraid I'll end up over-qualified and without a job.

I would definitely approach a supervisor/lecturer who you feel you can get on with or have an okay relationship with and tell them your ambitions. If you come across driven and enthusiastic about the prospect to research and you show them how hard you have worked then they will look on you favourably. I would definitely try that path!!
Good luck

Congratulations on getting a place! If you really set your mind to making/saving money you will be able to do it!

Even if you have to get a job stacking shelves in tesco or asda full time from now until september you will be on your way. I worked full-time night shift stacking shelves in tesco and got paid £1200 per month!

Another avenue you could explore is getting a Career Development loan. Barclays do them!

Good luck!!