Hi

I have got a few weeks to put together a summary research proposal for a PhD graduation teaching assistant post but got no idea how to come up with a suitable title and area. I know a rough area I want to do the research in which is computer security (perhaps buffer overflow attacks and intrusion detection) but struggling to narrow down a PhD topic. I have contacted one of the lecturers at the uni where the GTA is but he just gave me very general and broad areas.

How do you find a suitable topic and title? I have read a few articles and looked at future work but nothing is really standing out.

Thanks

Thanks for the quick responses :-)

Does anyone know if Graduate Teaching Assistant pay is tax free? I have seen one advertised where they pay your tuition fees and an allowance of approx £13,500.

Thank you for all the brilliant replies. They really helped a lot.

Hi

I have just finished my masters and really want to do a PhD but can only afford to do this with funding. My plan is to try and get a funded place at a local uni over the next year but if this is unsuccessful I will apply to more distant unis. If the unis are far I will sleep in halls for four nights per week and go home every weekend. This will mean only seeing my wife and son at the weekend :-(

Has anyone done something similar and is willing to share their experiences (good or bad)?

Thanks in advance

Shaun

Thank you everyone for all of the great advice

I think I will continue to apply for studentships as they come up for now and then think about my options more if I am unsuccessful. I may end up doing a PhD part time over five years and continue to work as a college lecturer for three days per week if I cannot get the funding. This will just cover my living costs and fees. I have looked at the statistics on part time completion rates from HEFCE and it seems that a large proportion drop out before completing the PhD so I will have to make sure that does not happen to me.

I would love to do an MRes but I would have to do it part time, which would mean another two years of studying and paying all of the fees for the course. I think my best and only option is to go straight for the PhD whether I am funded or have to fund myself.

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Hi

I have got a First Class Honours in Computer Studies and a PGCE in Further Education and have spent the past three years teaching. I really want to do a PhD and have wanted to since starting my degree.

I want to do a PhD in any area in computing but I could only do it if I manage to get funding. I have recently applied for a university funded place but did not get an interview.

Is there anyone that has managed to get funding with just an undergraduate degree or would I need to get a masters first to increase my chances.

I can't really afford to do the masters but I will probably have to work for a couple of years and save, if it is the only option, or possibly work and do the masters part time.

Any comments will be greatly appreciated

Shaun