Hi,
I am a first year PhD student in Politics at a university in Yorkshire. Just got started really. Met my supervisor and fellow PhDers over the last few weeks. It's been nice. I am looking to expand some network with likeminded people, who may want to share experiences, ideas etc. If you are interested, please respond to this post here. If there is a lot of interest, I will send another post with meeting details. 1st time meetings could take place at any of the eleven yorkshire university campuses in Leeds, Bradford, Hull, Sheffield or York! If there is a click, we would try organise something on a monthly basis. Those, outside Yorkshire are also welcome to join in by the way
Hope to see you soon
James

I got an offer with a studentship to start my PhD in Politics at the University of Hull. I am so excited as you can imagine. However, some discouraging people including friends have been negative over my decision to apply to Hull. They say the city is dull etc. Some even say it's no use doing a Phd at a university like Hull. But Hull is ranked 5th in Politics in the 2009 Times university rankings. With my little knowledge of Britain, I am getting confused even though I certainly will go to Hull regardless of this negativity. I don't plan to stay in the UK after my Phd and I come from a country where university rankings matter less so I care less about rankings, popularity. I would still like to get some assuarances from people who are already at the University of Hull or those with inside knowledge about both the Uni and department.

Thanks all. They informed me that they had offered me the AHRC grant last week. I am exited but it's the so-called fees-only grant so I will need to see how to pay my rent etc. Will see how it goes

Magictime has given the best option there is. You can't just apply to a university before checking with a potential supervisor or director of postgrad research. In most cases, professors respond and give their opinions.

I am thrilled to inform everyone my AHRC studentship has been approved at the University of Liverpool. I accepted the offer within seconds of receiving it. I wasn't the best student. Determination did the trick. You don't always need a distinction to do a PHD. 62 percent wasmy overall MA mark. I worked like a slave on my proposal and interview. Good luck to everyone applying for a place/studentship.

Cheers commonsense. Good idea. The things is I realised they could still be conducting interviews. I will give it another week. You never know with this guys!! They don't normally want to be bothered. I just don't want to do anything that could jeopardise it because I felt the interview went quite well but we will of course cross the bridge when we get there. Will keep you posted. Are you a prospective or you are already enrolled?

I had an PHD studentship interview at the University of Liverpool a few weeks ago. I am dying to know if I made it or not. I obviously don't want to bother them by calling and I simply won't. I was just wondering did anyone get the outcome of their interviews yet? It was my first time in Liverpool and I really liked the city: perhaps the most friendly I have visited in the UK.

Thanks again for the heads-up. I have done some reading after your alerts and it appears a decision is to be made in June and indeed, it looks likely the politics dpt is a potential candidate for elimination. What a pity!! I will still go to the interview and do my thing. Obviously, it's not nice to hear about the situation but a decision has yet to be made. And I am sure those who are invited students for interviews must surely know what they are doing. I certainly would hate to apply to another university again. The process is laborious, getting transcripts, reference letters etc. Will see. Even if I don't end up in Liverpool, I still has a lot of love for the city and its people.

Thanks much for your comments. The cultural side of it sounds really interesting and promising. Can't wait. By the way, it is indeed University of Liverpool (school of politics and communication studies). I hope they won't close it before I join. Ooops!!! The department sounds really great and would certainly be a dream to study there. I have a friend from Liverpool. Gary is a great guy and tells me Liverpool is the place to be.

I have been invited for a Phd studentship in Liverpool. I have never been there. Does anyone have a idea how it is like studying in Liverpool. I am 30 and have not been in college since 2004. I feel a bit old. I hope I don't sound naive but is it going to be easy making friends in Liverpool at this age? Any interview tips will also be welcome as will any information on Liverpool. I am a big football fan, by the way.