hi everyone, I did not have a chance to go to university when I left school. At age 30 I did a 4-year BSc program, I was working, studying and taking care of my family. Now I am on a full scholarship for MSc but I am just a few years away from age 40. I will be finishing this Master by Mac 2008. I don't know why I feel lost now, it seems as if PhD scholarships/studentships are always for younger students. Or maybe I've just been looking in the wrong places. Does anyone know where I can find applications for phd position with no age preference? thanks

Not too sure what area you're in, but I've never seen age restrictions on PhD studentships. (I'm talking about science PhD's in the UK)

In theory there should be no age preference wherever you apply. I would estimate that where I am at least 20% of the PhDs are 40ish.

thanks for your response. My area is biological sciences (molecular). This is from Scuola Normale Superiore of Pisa: Citizens of non-European Union nations, born after 31 December 1975, who have attained a 2nd- cycle university degree or equivalent or who will complete it by 30 September 2007 for candidates to the Faculty of Arts or by 30 November 2007 for the Faculty of Sciences can compete for positions in the doctoral program. Everytime I read something like this, it gets depressing. I should look elsewhere.

The example you give is one of the exceptions rather than the norm. When it comes to funding for a PhD, the limitations are always nationality and not age.

phil, i guess that's true for england, but not everywhere! in germany age is a very strict qualifier, in switzerland sometimes more, sometimes less so. apparently age can be important in italy. i don't know for other countries.

to answer the original question, i would say Britain is where you need to look. over here, what you describe for Pisa, would be called ageism. it won't be easy to find funding, though. not because of age but because of residency criteria, as phil pointed out.

Hi Stachi.
I started my PhD with 35 and I didn't have any problems. Actually it was my very first choice and I got it very easily!
Don't worry about your age.
But, yes, you should look for it in the UK.
Good luck!

All is not lost once you reach 40! I have been offered a PhD position with funding at a good UK University (I am UK resident)and I am 41! My next challenge will be to fit everything in around 2 small children, a golden retriever and workaholic husband
Good luck with your search

thank you so much for your response; I really appreciate it.
I feel better too. Thanks a lot. love, satchi

I am not aware of age being a factor in this area, unless you're aiming for a professorship (in which case all bets are off on every nit-picking factor depending on who you're talking to).

More often than not, supervising academics are only interested in your intellectual capacity and how your PhD studentship can add to their research group to boost their own standing (and I mean that both in a positive and negative sense, take it how you will). In my experience that is really what it comes down to.

hi, oh no I am not looking for a professorship! HAHAHA I just want to learn something and to do it properly, I hope to find something. thanks, satchi