Hi

I have just found this forum and read through the other topics, but can't specifically find the answer to my question, so I just wondered if anyone could set me straight, and let me know if my understanding of how to do this is right or not...

I would like to do a Literature PhD, which (although funding would be nice in an ideal world) in reality I know will be self funded and will be part time as I have 2 very small children.

Am I right in thinking that the way to go about this is to come up with my own proposal, which must be original and fit for publication, and fit the interests of a potential supervisor at my university of choice?

My main confusion is over the fact I have read about both looking for a PhD and with coming up with an original proposal - am I correct in assuming that looking for an advertised PhD applies to science/ engineering etc. PhD projects that are funded, and that a self funded humanities PhD is different in this respect?

Many thanks in advance for any replies!

Hilary

Yes that's the right way to go. Advertised funded places are usually in science but they do pop up in the humanities occaisionally. I really seriously doubt you will see one in your area though (someone can correct me if they've seen one somewhere).

If you find a supervisor you can always apply for funding and see what happens. Might as well.

Good luck. I have one small child myself. How old are your kids and will you have any daylight hours for work?

Hi!

With respect to PhD advertisements, you will see adverts that offer very specific PhD projects usually in the sciences areas, or you'll see PhD adverts that just advertise studentships/funding without any particular project in mind. For literature, you're not likely to find specific adverts, but rather you'll approach the university yourself.

Since you're part-time and willing to self-fund, your first port of call is to decide which universities are suitable for you. For instance, locality might be your first issue if you have children. Then you need to look at the department and see if there are specialists in your research field. Then approach those academics directly (usually via email) and ask for a meeting. Go and talk to them about your interests, and they'll offer opinion on your research proposal (and try to snap you up as you're self-funding). Then you can submit a formal application and research proposal.

With respect to your research proposal, you need to offer an 'original/distinct contribution' to your field. This is normally pushing existing research one step forward (rarely do people carry out research in completely unique areas). The PhD needs to be of 'publishable quality/standard' when submitted, but this doesn't mean you need to tailor your proposal to something that may be published.

Hi beadabook

I was self-funded part-time and in non-science/engineering. I'm in education and technology. The advice you've been given by misspacey and smilodon is pretty much spot on. Advertised posts usually come with a topic, self-funded you can choose your own. I pretty much did what misspacey suggests... found a university, found a supervisor, sent a preliminary proposal (loose ideas) and went for a visit and a chat. Supervisor was happy to take me on on that basis, I then submitted a more formal proposal following university guidelines (again, it doesn't have to be 'complete'... it just has to have the potential to be an original contribution... you'll get into it more in your first year anyway).

In terms of part-time work... it's a hard road a-ho, but an interesting one. Expect tension as you try to juggle mumhood and academia... but if you go into things with your eyes open (read this forum) it's not so bad. A good supervisor, someone who has a real interest in your work and time to work with you, especially in the early days is a must. Good supervisors make all the difference in the long run (read this forum). What makes a good supervisor? Someone who listens, who cares, who answers your queries and ocasionally points you in some interesting directions, who challenges and encourages and gives credit where its due. *grin* Good luck.

Another option might be to self-fund at the start, and apply for funding afterwards. That's what I did, and as a humanities student I came under AHRC's remit. I started without funding, but applied to them in my first year and got it for the rest of my PhD. As a part-time student it covers fees and - since last October - a stipend as well. So well worth applying for, and shouldn't be ruled out automatically.

Wow plenty of replies! Thanks everyone!

Smilodon my children are nearly 3 and 9 months, how old is yours?

This is going to be a long road for me, I don't plan on starting the PhD until my younger child is 3! It is 8 years since I studied formally, and 12 years since I studied literature (I also have an MSc. in business) so I intend to do a lot of reading over the next 2 years to get myself into a PhD ready position and decide on my topic. When both kids are at Kindergarten I will have 5 mornings a week childcare...

My position is complicated by the fact we live in Germany, and expect to continue to do so - so MissSpacy was very right about location, and I know this complicates things - I have a lot of questions (is Open Uni worth anything? Anyone know anything about the Munich universities...), but I thought one thing at a time, I'll try not to overload a board I'm new to!

Thanks again everyone!

Hilary

hi there!
well you are definitely planning well ahead!

regarding funding: you can apply to AHRC with your own topic/proposal. it's not simply "apply for an advertised, funded project" OR "do your own, unfunded project"; but there is the bit in the middle where you "do your own, funded project"! to do this, you would usually need your prospective uni's endorsement. i believe the AHRC deadlines are at the beginning of may. leave plenty of time to get your proposal together. make sure you are accepted by your uni before you apply. that means, start talking to prospective supervisors about 12 months before you plan to start. it can be done faster, but since you are planning ahead, why let it turn into a rush?

myself, i skipped the informal contact by e-mail/going for a chat bit. i simply filled in the online application forms, paid the application fee and that's it. worked for me, though i do believe it is better to go see the place and the people beforehand.

Hi Beadabook,

the Open University (OU) in the UK is actually not a bad "place", has got a a good name regarding for example their MBA (obviously not the same as business schools at Harvard, Paris, Madrid etc). I do not know specifically regarding literature.
I am not sure what the quality is of the "Fernuniversitaet Hagen" in Germany, I think at least a lot less known.
Kind regards

as to open university: i've heard lots of good things about OU. my mum is currently distance-studying there, for a science degree. i heard that PhDs are good, too. however i have this notion, which might be wrong, that PhDs at the OU are NOT by distance learning. they have a campus in milton keynes and that's where PhD students are based (except that many of them actually live in london and commute). so you'd need to check that out.

Then, doing a PhD in Munich - that's another question altogether! LMU (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München) is one of the best universities in Germany, a very big uni, lots of famous staff, good rankings, etc. The funding situation for PhDs is very different than in the UK. Well, you can go unfunded, then it is not so different, actually. But if you do get funded, it is usually in the form of a wage, not a stipend/studentship. you'd be looking at something between 1000 and 2000€/month, plus you would get child benefits. virtually no fees to pay. the contract would usually be for 50% FTE, that is, about 20 hours a week. you'd have to negotiate the details with your boss/supervisor, but this could mean that in those 20 hours you primarily work for him/her (such as, do lit-reviews for their project, help prepare teaching materials, help put together funding applications, help write research reports, teach classes and hold lectures, etc.)

and you are expected to do your PhD in the "other" 50% of your time - or it could mean that you have all the time to yourself, to your PhD. that's a big difference so it's worth knowing exactly what you are getting yourself into.
as to how to get such a "job": PhD positions would be advertised as "Assistent/in" by the professor/supervisor/boss. you apply to the advert as you would apply to a job ad; send your CV and everything. don't hesitate to get in touch informally beforehand. some ads would mention a particular topic/area of interest, others would be totally open. obviously, your chances are highest if your interests match those of the professor/supervisor/boss.

however, many such openings are never formally advertised, or the ad is not distributed widely (meaning, they are simply nailed to a door at the department, for instance - no further publication). lots of such "jobs" go to former students of the university, who are known by the prof. so to maximise your chances, you would have to start getting to know the department now. you have plenty of time, so: why not go visit some public events/lectures they hold, to get a feel for the department. go explore their library. read a book or two written by their interesting staff. then, when you feel you know your way around there a bit, start making yourself known to them. about a year before you would want to start, everybody there should know who you are and that you are looking for an opportunity to do a PhD. then, when a position opens up with one of the profs (a former student graduates or something) - they don't advertise it, but rather they give it to you... bingo!

If you're in Germany eligibility rules kick in for AHRC funding. I've just checked and think you'd be covered for fees as an EU-based student, but probably wouldn't receive a stipend. So the incentive to apply isn't so great. Checking out local funding options might definitely be worthwhile, and shani has given you lots of good advice on that. The OU is well regarded in the UK. I converted from a Science graduate to an Arts student via them, and my OU degree helped me gain PhD AHRC funding. Some OU PhD students are full-time on campus but many other ones are external distance-learning students, so it's definitely doable. Good luck!