I don't know how to say this but, I would rather have the stress than not having the option to. It is so hard to apply for a PhD. :(

You are right! I really want to enjoy my PhD and not end up having anxiety issues due to money. I guess I will try to find something while doing MSc so I don't waste my time. I also hope I could get into funded advertised projects.

Thank you for your reply TreeofLife! Its much appreciated. I am very happy I can share my problems with people who have been there. The application processes are mentally stressing if you ask me. To answer your question, I would say yes but no because from my government, they are usually going to tie you down with some kind of bond (2-6 years depending). My problem is actually getting funding instead of entrance (of course that is also a problem but not as severe).

You are absolutely right about the UK, I have had friends in Edinburgh who works part-time but they are just doing their second year undergraduate, its a breeze if you ask me. Besides the minimum wage is only 6.80£, if I work every evening from 6-11 at nandos for example or some fish and chip shops, that would get me only 35£ a day and about 200£ a week then 800£ a month. Half of it is probably going to rent. 400£ x 12 months = 4800£ (me without spending or eating, a joke of course). The overseas fees for postgraduate is about 18000£. It's too much basically. But what drives me to study in UK is because of the excellent professors and future career, not to mention I am in love with Edinburgh.

Probably my only option is to do MSc Research then move to PhD, because while I am there and if I do well, I get scholarship by recommendations. Hopefully. But then again, MSc Research is pretty much self-fund, I hope I can get the partial scholarship to waive some £ off and 10% discount by the school :(

Hi satchi!

Thank you for the reply, I feel much better now even though you are 100% right about most of the information. But I am still in doubt, I really hope the board would look at my experience and give me a chance.

To reply to 1: I should have the money to self-fund now at least for the first 2 years but I would need to work part-time probably to be able to cover for the rest of the fees. I always thought self-funding is not allowed for PhD. The requirements are too steep for me to achieve a funding, I mean I will try but fingers crossed.

To reply to 2: I am planning a backup to do Taught MSc/MRes as I am able to get in the minimum requirement, though I might still want to get some funding as it is ridiculously expensive for international fees.

Visa won't be a major problem for me as I am from Singapore, all I need is the acceptance letter.

You are right about applying for PhDs which offer funding but the sad part is most of it are for UK/EU students only. :((

Hi guys, currently I am under a lot of stress applying for PhD in UK. I am from Singapore and have just concluded an exchange program in University of Edinburgh School of Chemistry. Firstly, my BSc (Hons) in Chemistry after graduating will probably be 2:2 missing 0.3 to 2:1. I am doing my bachelor dissertation/poster presentation by May 2016. Secondly, since I am not UK/EU citizen, I do not have the luxury to get studentships even though I already have a supervisor in University of Edinburgh. Therefore, I need to apply for scholarship and that is even worst as I do not even know if I can get accepted to the PhD, much less about the scholarship. Lastly, I do have a few research experiences throughout my 8 years of chemistry studies. From Pre-U Polytechnic School to University. Will they ever consider them as a plus or just by academic merit (I am out)?

Question 1: Is it possible for me to self-fund? Maybe at least for the first year if I were to be accepted.
Question 2: Should I go for a Taught MSc or MRes just to cover my 2:2 first? Which would mean that I am wasting (maybe not) a year.

I feel helpless, cheers.