Thanks so much for your advise, it was great and I did it! A 900 word , 5 min presentation!!!! Found out I didn't get it today. I am totally gutted tbh. It is the only available funding...so another year to wait to apply again...ahhhhhhh.

I didn't get it - totally gutted!!!

This is a great blog - thank you! And thanks so much for the info re originality. I had a PhD (Humanities)interview recently and the first question was 'how will your proposed research make an original contribution to the field?'. Threw me completely! The source material is untouched by the academy ie it is pretty niche but beyond that, I didn't have an answer! Beginning to understand the 'originality' thing a bit more..

Many congratulations on passing and your advice is really helpful, even though I am just applying.

Lizzie

My PhD sop was restricted to 600 words. This scared the life out of me as i write too much (I am learning not to!). In the end I included my research experience (from my Masters), why I believed the research deserved to be done, why I should be the one to do it. I also commented upon why the uni and faculty would be suitable for my research and specific supervision. As opposed to my Masters sop, in which I included everything, and it was about three times as long!
Good luck!

Any thoughts, welcome...

Hi,

In my forthcoming studentship interview, i am required to give a informal 5 min presentation (no media allowed) on my research proposal. I am guessing they will have all read it, so it feels a bit weird to just condense it in to 5 mins and I am worried about just repeating what I have already written in detail...

Any tips would be gratefully welcomed!
Thanks,
Lizzie

Thanks Treeoflife. I am going to go for it and give it my best shot as I do really want it. I don't know if they 'like' me but I love the faculty and loved doing my MA there. It is my first interview for a studentship, so I am trying to prep properly, but it is a little daunting. I guess also, I didn't want them to think that I couldn't be bothered to go because I have already studied there ie that I presumed an advantage. I certainly don't, it is just very bad luck that my disc has collapsed!

Thanks also, Chickpea! I have a parakeet who lives on my shoulder most of the day, so will be sure to leave him in another room! And great to know your friend had a success via Skype!
Lizzie

Hi Teresa,

During my MA, I worked in a faculty with a number of international PhD students, some were funded, and received a stipend. To account for higher living costs in London, the stipend is higher than other parts of the country, 2014-15 set at £15,863 per annum.

Good luck with you search and applications!
Lizzie

I feared as much. Thanks for your honesty.
If I try and make the journey, I fear I am going to be on a huge amount of pain killers, I will put the disc at risk, I will be exhausted and reliant on someone driving me for a 3+ hour journey each way as I can't get the train. I also won't be able to walk around the campus etc on the planned tour because I have very limited movement and can only walk very slowly. I did my Masters in the same faculty so I know the faculty and uni but it still isn't the same. And I want this so so much.

Hi,

I have been invited to a studentship interview but requested a Skype/phone interview as I am unable to travel to the University due to a slipped disc. Have I shot myself in the foot ie put myself at a disadvantage because I am unable to attend in person? Will this matter?


Any thoughts are very welcome!
Lizzie