Hi,

thanks to everybody for their answers, they are really useful.

I saw that there are plenty of book that talk about the argument, did you read any of them? Did you find them useful?

Paola

Hi,

I apologise in advance because it is be a bit long. I started engineering after college when the idea of doing a PhD after my degree back in Italy years ago. During my second year of university we had a big earthquake so I took a year off.

Instead of travelling around Asia I did a year course in networking at Kingston University in London. I liked the course but I realised that I am not really into networking and I wanted to carry on study engineering.

Kind run out money so I am doing a distance learning degree with the Open University full time and working part time. I did an apprenticeship this year in a subject totally unrelated (sport).

I had some major family problems and work together my grade this year are quiet low, specifically I will score a grade 4 on one courses that will lower my degree to a Lower Second Class degree. The only way I could sort this out is to do another module on top of the degree, score a distinction, and I will obtain a 2:1 but it will take me another year.

Would be better do a Master instead? It would be more expensive through but I could ask for a loan.

I know that is probably quiet silly as I faced so many issues (everybody have problems) but lately I really think I would love to carry on with the initial plan and do a PhD. So I have few questions:

1) Is it possible to be admitted to a PhD with 2:2?

2) Can you still able to be founded if you do a part time PhD?

3) Am I too old? I am going to be 25 this year and the PhD would start in Oct 2013, at 26. The age problem is really bothering me.

4) Are the career fairs useful? If so, which one do you rather is best? I have seen one that seems pretty interesting in Scotland at the beginning of Oct, I live in south England, it would be a long way up but I am happy to go if it will be illuminating.

5) Would be useful to try to be hired by the university? I mean, if I try to apply to a secretarial role during my last year and then apply for a PhD as intern, would that be easier?

Thanks a lot for your time,

Paola