Within the UK academic community, for many an Open University degree is seen as more prestigious than many others. To take an Open degree often means students having to be much more motivated. I certainly wouldn't turn down an Open doctoral place.

I can't speak for Cambridge and I've never been a student at Oxford, but I have worked in the Graduate Admissions Office at Oxford. When I worked there - granted a few years ago - it wasn't the snobby entrance requirements you'd think - usually if a professor or a faculty was interested in you and you had at least a reasonable first degree, you'd probably be given some sort of opportunity.

My first degree is from an old teacher training college (decades ago!), my first MA is from a middle-of-the-road American college, my second MRes will be from a lower tier British university, but I'm still considering applying to Oxford. To be honest, I have no idea if I'll get in or not (I already have a PhD place somewhere else), and the only reason I'm holding back is that I have a family attached to me and I can't afford Oxford house prices.

But you've got nothing to lose and everything to gain and if you are interested in Oxford or Cambridge, just apply.

I think it's like anything in life - if you're engaged, interested, committed and motivated, you can achieve what might look impossible from the other side. I actually wrote most of mine - after 2 months' research - in 72 hours, but I find it easier to put words on paper and then hone it over and over again. You know how you write. I may not be a good meticulous example LOL I never told my supervisor just how quickly I wrote the first version (which he never saw!).

I'm 53. I graduated with my first MA at 49. I hope to finish my PhD when I'm 56. Every university I've applied to have commented that they see 'experience' (read "OMG, you're old') as almost an extra qualification.

I wrote my 40,000 MA dissertation in a month, then another month to edit and revise. I was working full-time, bringing up a young child and commuting 2 hours a day. I passed my dissertation with "Merit" and my MA with a GPA of 4.0. It can be done.

Done! It took me 5-10 minutes.

I already have an MA, but I have not studied in the British university system for 30 years and have chosen to go the MRes/PhD route. I think that I will be much more able to work on my PhD directly after an MRes, than if I went in 'cold' as it were. And probably more time-productive too. I can see how others would feel differently though.

I think it depends on each situation. I'm similiar to you, but different LOL

BA History and Comparative Theology
MA International Relations

I have just been accepted on a PhD History programme, combining both history and IR, but I've decided to do an MRes first, simply because it fits into my own situation - relocating back to the UK after 25 years, not sure where we as a family want to settle, etc., etc.

I do, however, think that usually a second masters is unnecessary. Can I ask? Are you in Switzerland? Your choices seem very familiar to me - and we're leaving Switzerland because of it.

But what about Spellcheck? You may all mock me.

I know this is a silly question - but I don't mind being mocked for it - are we talking technical lingo typos here?

Don't let age put you off.

I was 49 when I got my MA - with academic distinction.

I intend to have my PhD before I'm 59 :) I would love an academic career after that, but realise that 60 is pushing it! I do, however, have a million other plans for my future.

Two unis have told me that my age is actually beneficial to my application - that was before I said I'd be self-funded too LOL

Good luck :)

I'm waiting to hear if I've got into my first choice uni for doctoral study. I'm 53, British, but have worked and lived in central Europe for almost 30 years. I took a first degree (passed but just) in 1983 from a British uni, I got my MA in 2012 from an American institution.

I'm a Social Historian person so will have to go self-funding route - at least at the outset. I have a teenager about to go to uni in the UK, a husband who's lost his job of nearly 2 decades. So I understand all the worries. I realise my situation is rather different but we've decided it's now or never. We can sell our Swiss property to buy a British property and fund both my PhD and teenager's BA. We are going to take the risk.

... if I get into a doctoral programmes ... 31 days and counting since the application went in ...

And we're ever so friendly.

Can't help you on that, but am also probably moving from another country to a lesser known northern English university - for more postgrad studies in my case. I can't answer academic questions for you, but am originally from the area and can chat about anything else - towns, etc.

I tried but it didn't like that I wasn't a British resident.

I am British though and definitely from Great Britain :)