======= Date Modified 17 Jan 2011 12:14:11 =======
At the age of 27, I've recently completed an MEd with The Open University. I really enjoyed it and it gave me a real thirst for research and academic writing. I'd really like to find some way of carrying this forward.

I've thought about MPhil's, PhD's and EdD, but the impression I get from people I talk to is that they're a nice luxury if you can afford it, but otherwise they're not worth the hassle. In fairness, these are people who haven't gained a qualification at this level, and I'm sure those that have may tell a different story. I've got a reasonable idea of what I'd like to focus on, though it would obviously need some thrashing out.

Like in all these things, the deciding factor for me would be money. I get the general impression that unless you're doing research in science, there isn't really any funding available - I might be quite wrong in this assumption, but it is the impression I get. I certainly couldn't fund it all myself at the moment. I guess that like most things, cuts are being made to funding opportunities as well at the present time.

So, I suppose what I'm saying is, am I wasting my time even thinking about this, or is it something at least worth investigating further?

Any experiences, thoughts etc. welcome!

David

Hello David, I believe I know you from another forum! :-) I can't really give you any advice as I'm a scientist myself, but welcome :-)

Thanks, I think you might be right there;-)

I would say--at least investigate it, and when you have more information, then you will have the basis for a more solid decision. It doesn't cost any money nor require a commitment to look around, see what options there are, and then decide. If you know the general topic or area you would want to do the PhD in, you could start by finding prospective supervisors and making informal inquiries to them about whether they would be willing to supervise you. Then you can start to think about a research proposal, and identifying whether the universities have funding available ( even in these grim days of budget cuts, I would think that there are still funded places offered by universities) and what other funding options there might be for you. As you go through that, you will get more of a flavour of what the academic requirements would be, what it would be like to do the work, your own level of interest and commitment to the research, etc. Perhaps somewhere along the line it will become more clear to you that yes you want to do this or no you do not.

I am a firm believer that if there is a will there is a way, and if you have your mind made up to pursue this, then you will find a way.

A PhD is a big time and energy commitment, but on the end of having completed one I would say in hindsight, yes it was worth it. Was it tiring, frustrating, did I ever feel like quitting? yes, of course. I probably felt like quitting at least once a day!!! to be honest. Was it rewarding, fun, exciting--yes it was all of those things too.

I am glad I did it and think it was worth the struggle and sacrifices made to complete it---but that is just my own experience with it.

Good luck on your search and decision!

Thanks for your encouragement - I shall certainly continue to look into it for the timebeing.