I am at a loss as to what to do..i desperatly want to do a structural biology PhD but after numerous interviews and having a 2.1 BSc UCL and MSc Bioinformatics am finding it impossible...I am told i am strong on interviews and qualified. Why is it so impossible to get a place? And where and what can i do when i get nothing or am told i am on waiting lists? is this really a NO?

A waiting list is not a 'NO', it means if somebody drops out you may be considered for the post without it being re-advertised. Drop outs occur because people change their minds, get better offers from other research groups or get a 2(ii) instead of there expected 2(i). In the mean time, keep looking and keep applying.

Is it normal for students to accept a PhD position and then keep going for more interviews to try and get a place with a better research group? Is it ethical?!

I am predicted to get a 1st. I have applied for a wide range of projects, have had interviews and have been told that I interview well, but I have not had any offers. Where am I going wrong? Do you now need a 1st and an MSc to get onto a funded PhD?

I think its all about lab experience during your undergrad degree these days. Many students are choosing to do a placement year in between their second and third year, either in industry or academia, and i think it is a very good idea. I think that those of you who think you have all the right requiremnets (and im sure you do) are getting beaten to the post by students with exactly the same grades, but more EXPERIENCE than you.

Steve is probably right but it's a bit late as I am in my third year. Do I do an MSc or try to get a scientific job (& experience) with just a BSc? Any advice?

I am surprised that you are finding it difficult with a "predicted" first. You do not need to do a MSc at all, and should not take that option if you are good enough to skip it - its a waste of time and money. Just be patient; i had about 3 interviews before i got offered my place, and because one was so awful i considered forgetting the whole thing. Just stick with it.

As for getting a job first, this shoudlnt be necessary with a good first in a good subject. Although experience would no doubt help your cause, i still think you will get a place without it IF you do get that first.

Sounds like sound advice Steve. But I've got a first class degree and 2 years of very relevant experience and still haven't got as much as an interview. I think you need to know someone in the right department - I'm sure I'd have no trouble if i wanted to stay in my original department, but I don't! Maybe my applications are not good enough, but I don't see how I can improve that as I already spend hours and hours on each one.

...... I've come to the conclusion that i need a masters in the right department, so that hopefully I'll be able to stay with them to do a PhD.

All of my rejections state that the competition was particularly intense this year. Do they say that every year to make us feel better or is it genuinely a competitive year?

i think they say that to everyone. along with the 'sorry due to the number of applications, correspondance can not be entered into' - fat lot of help that is!

I'm finding it hard to find a PhD position as well, despite having been predicted a Distinction in my MSC Biomedical Sciences with exam transcripts to prove it! I've counted that I have made 15 enquiries, all before Xmas but with no luck. I did visit Imperial once but one supervisor had the nerve to tell me that my institution wasn't "prestigious" enough to be accepted! Why is it so difficult?