Signup date: 14 Oct 2015 at 9:32am
Last login: 27 Apr 2016 at 9:49am
Post count: 15
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 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.
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 ...
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.
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