Hi everyone, I would appreciate some external advice on a PhD application.
It is a no fee no stipend agreement so I am worried firstly how I am going to fund myself. Do I risk applying and being incredibly poor or wait and hope for a fully funded opportunity in the future?
The proposed title incredibly interests me but I am worried about supporting myself. Should I let this hold me back? I don't want to regret it at a later stage.
Thanks in advance.

I really feel for you, I haven't had a lot of luck with lecturers either unfortunately (one supervisor off in the US and another going on maternity leave!) and have mainly been brushed off by those I have contacted to show an interest which is so disheartening. I have been warned against taking a MSc that is too closely related to my degree due to massive overlaps in content.
I went on placement to get work experience but, due to the lack of my research involvement it hasn't helped me as such. Same story where student gets stuck with the rubbish jobs unfortunately so wasn't as valuable as I hoped. The students that didn't go on placement, none have gone into relevant jobs to my knowledge.
I have basically just taken my own initiative and used as much of my spare time to research into possible places for volunteering/work experience/summer projects/weekend projects anything really and e-mailing anyone and everyone!
At the minute doesn't seem to be the best time for contacting lecturers since most seem to go on absurdly long holidays so I'm mostly getting out of office replies but I haven't given up yet!

Also look out for potential employers that may fund you part-time. I didn't know this was available until I went on placement where I discovered the company funded students through BSc, MSc and PhDs. Unfortunately its not related to what I want to do otherwise I might have thought about going back!

Hope you are having more luck :)

I'm in the same boat too unfortunately looking into forensic anthropology and archaeology with the difference being that I want to go straight into a PhD after my undergrad. I too cannot afford a MSc :-( . From speaking to various potential supervisors it seems as if they are not interested unless you have an MSc under your belt whatever your grades which I'm assuming is due to the enormous competition. I have been advised to get as much work experience and, if possible, try joining any relevant societies. I probably won't be much help but nice to know I'm not the only one! Best of luck!

Haha! Thanks for the reply. I am looking for a forensic related PhD and its proving really really difficult. I have contacted all the universities in the country that do the research that I am interested in (it wasn't hard as there aren't that many...!). I'm currently at a very large private sector company, in a forensic based laboratory too, which I would have thought would have counted towards something. I feel like I am being pulled in two directions at the minute as my lecturer at uni is saying that I don't need to do a MSc with my grades but where I have applied say that they don't even look at any CVs that do not have an MSc on them. I've even visited the prospective supervisors and explained my situation.
Maybe its because I'm being too fussy in what I want to do. I haven't had a massively great time on placement and mostly feel that I'm not trusted and very stupid. On the upside it has made me realise how much I enjoy the learning environment (I've actually missed the coursework and exams etc....does that make me crazy?!) and that perhaps academia is the way forward for me. I've saved like crazy this year and its a bit gutting with fees going up that now I can't afford anything :-( . If I hadn't of gone on placement I would have been able to afford the MSc as I would have graduated this year!
Seems like it doesn't matter what grades you get, they are only interested if you have the money!

I am a current Forensic and Analytical Science student predicted a 1st class degree and have a years experience in industry under my belt. I'm looking to do a PhD on graduation in 2012. However, in the field I am most interested in I am being asked to do a MSc first. I'm assuming this is due to the immense competition for funded places. The problem is, what with the reductions in university funding etc, a MSc is looking to cost me £9000 in just fees (which I cannot afford) and even after this there is no guarantee of securing a funded PhD position.
Is anyone else in the same boat or can anyone offer me any advice?
Thanks
Lorna