personally I'd stay where you are - you are familiar with surroundings and people plus I think the most important thing is having someone who knows your topic and can really help you when you get stuck!

Some courses like for you to have a 'research methods' qualification -and it helps with funding in some cases - but it all depends on the course you are applying for.

Sorry if I missed it above but what is your interest? If possible it is useful to talk to tutors that you know already to help you with your application and may be experts in that field. I decided to stcik with the same uni so had my supervisor available to help me with teh proposal from the start, but i know this isn't always the case

Good luck though!

thanks for that - tho i think i would be applying for a different award if i get teh chance so not sure if that's the same areas or not!

Just found this forum and looks a good place to get advice!

I am currently doing an MA designed to prepare me for my PhD humanities/social science, but what I am finding most difficult is writing my own research proposal for the PhD. I know what I want to do but have been advised that it needs to be as 'technical' as possible. It was suggested I try and find an application that has been succesful in previous years - but this isn't exactly easy!

I was just wondering if anyone knew of a good site/book to help me structure a proposal effectively? I have looked at the fudning websites, but they seem to concentrate on content rather than style!

Thanks

You can finish a masters and go into a PhD straight away - guessing you just need references from your MA course. I suppose a break may help - but that worries me coz I ma not thinking of taking one!

What are all of the priority areas for this year for ESRC or where could I find them?

Thanks