Thank you both, that's given me a lot to think about.

Hello,
I have just finished my undergraduate degree in International Politics and International History. I am going on to do my Msc in International History.

In the last few months I have been considering a PhD. I have been back and forth about the idea...sometimes taking it seriously, others times I see it as a passing fancy.

What advice do you have for me, in deciding whether or not to go for a PhD? Clearly, a good start is to talk to existing academics, which I have started to do. I have also been given contact details for a number of current doctoral students and recent doctoral "graduates" by a professor who is a friend.

I really don't expect to be able to go start my PhD in the academic year 2012-13, as I imagine sorting funding to be a complicated and drawn out process?

Thanks in advance,

Liam