Hi there, I think that you need to do the masters first. I have a 2.1 and a 1st with my 2 degrees, and a post grad cert. Still i cannot get accepted on a phd. the feedback is you need to have the 'research skills' from the masters programme to be able to do a phd. So best advice and I'm in the same position, is do the masters then your be able to get onto a phd no problem.

best of luck

Thanks Ian, Ill be checking out the blog! Lots of things to organise over the summer, there seem to be so many books about doing your phd and I've read some, but they are all very vague or repetaive some of them and don't actually tell me what you will be doing in detail during your days. i might just write my own!

Hi there is anyone starting their PHD/Masters in social sciences in October? Im looking for study partners and new colleagues to share tips with. I am in the Richmond area and will be going to Surrey.

Tallie

Piju, that is excellent advice thank you! I hope its given you the boost you wanted too. i am more certain now of what I'm going to be expected to do and it is scary!! I hope over the summer I can get things organised. I've already started in terms of journal articles downloading articles i think will be relevant for me literature review and formulating the methodology, ethics and research questions i want to be asking. Im taking advantage of free access to palgrave journals right now! At least this might save me some time in researching!

Is it true that you should always throughout that first year writing the research be seeking out any articles/books/chapters relevant to your topic area. eg. its september and you notice an article published even though you are nearing the end of writing the lit review chapter. but you could still read it write notes etc because it may have an impact on your findings throughout the project. i guess what I'm asking really is whilst you are collecting the data (year 2) and analysing it/writing project up (year 3) are you still reading articles/papers/books/research act in your topic area to be adding comments and analysis to the project/disscussion chapter(s).

Thanks again for all of your advise on this page, I can't show my appreciation much but it is helping my amazingly since I've had almost 2 years out of study with working.

Miss paws

Hi all, thank you for your replies it has helped me to understand more about whats involved. Deadlings omg! ahh!! I can see def now how ill be studying and that my ideas were on the right track. Are there any tips you could offer about writing these reports and papers?

x

Hi all, I'm looking for some general advice if anyone is able. i am hoping to begin my PhD soon but am wondering the first year what is actually spent in your day? What do you do as such? Sorry if i come across as naive below but I'm not actually getting the answers i need to prepare myself really and need help!

Im assuming much of the first year is writing your methodology and preparing the practical research alongside writing the literature review....correct me if I'm wrong please?!

So assuming your researching previous literature/research in your topic area do you each day....search journals for articles, search for books on topic and other research e.g.. home office papers, charity research publications..newspaper articles about your topic etc. and other days do you then read all these resources, making notes, notes and more notes in preparing to then months later put the notes altogether and write the literature review?

If i am thinking on the right lines that would be great!

Thanks you

Misspaws