hey,
I wanted to start a PhD on October, but I can't get my degree awarded by then. I've read usually it is possible to start on january, although most of the students start in autumn.

My questions are:
1) I have an interview for a project starting on Oct, should I write the potential supervisor I won't be able to start and give up the interview?
2) Based on your experience, will there be as many opened PhD opportunities as those available now? Or it is more likely to find (and get) a funded place on october?

I made a mess with my iphone lol!


By the way, the point is not being ready, cause I am. The main issue is: Students have a general knowledge in their field,which is limited on what they've learned during their studies. When you're talking about science (biochem as example) this is pretty much obvious: in 4 years a biochemist gains the basics of biochemistry.
So, when I read PhD opportunities (coming with a specific project), I understand what is about, but of course I have never studied that field deeply.

Examples, I have read a phd scholarship for the synthesis of peptides and bla bla. Of course I have studied what a peptide is, their synthesis, properties and so on..... But when I see example of peptides synthesized in that group of research, I can only think: "wow, never seen a peptide like that! I don't even know where to start from!!!". I see reactions never studied, molecules never seen before.... and this is pretty much NORMAL.

But when it comes to the question "do you feel ready for that?". I can only answer: I am, cause i want to do a PhD so badly, but how if I only have the general skills my studies gave me?!


It is kinda hard to explain in english, so I hope you can catch the point

Hey guys,
I'm taking a Msc in Biochemistry in Berlin (i'm german). I would like to pursue with a PhD....I'm sure about it but I don't feel like I'm ready.

Obviously when your talking about science related project, I think a deep knowledge and experience about the topics your applying for is not automatic.
Take my example: I'm studying Biochem with good feedback (first grade at my bsc), but when I read research proposal it's like I don't really know anything about it. I had the same feeling when I started my research project, but day by day I learned (starting with reading articles, asking for explaining to my supervisor and then on my own)...but that was a research project at the end of my Bsc and either your good or not, you have to do it.....so it's not a PhD!!!

What are your opinions about it? and ur experiences?

Hey guys,
I'm taking a Msc in Biochemistry in Berlin (i'm german). I would like to pursue with a PhD in uk....I'm sure about it but I don't feel like I'm ready.

Obviously when your talking about science related project, I think a deep knowledge and experience about the topics your applying for is not automatic.
Take my example: I'm studying Biochem with good feedback (first grade at my bsc), but when I read research proposal it's like I don't really know anything about it. I had the same feeling when I started my research project, but day by day I learned (starting with reading articles, asking for explanations to my supervisor and then on my own)...but that was a research project at the end of my Bsc, not a PhD!!!

What are your opinions about it? and ur experiences?