I know this is an often asked question, however i'm not asking if its a realistic proposition, but is there anything that prevents it being a possibility ?

the reason is that i have asked to do a phd at my current uni, i asked "will i get on a phd?", the answer was yes, "will i get funding" again the answer was, i then pointed out to the admissions tutor that i had a third, at which point he said the answer to the second is probably a no.

anyway after some discussion, ive been told they will consider me if its allowed within the rules of EPSRC, so is it within the rules.

I have faced this similiar situation with regards to funding of my masters, i.e. i have a third, uni wants to give it to me, but are worried about the research council (with the added complication of applying midway through course!), the end result was i am funded for my masters.

so please no knockers on this thread, to many times this forum has told me things are not possible only for me to achieve them,

so far i have got on masters with a 3rd (despite the course requirements being a 2:2), then i got funding, i have basically been told there is a phd there for me if i want to do it. all of which i was told i didnt have a cat in hells in chance of doing, now i just have to achieve the holy grail of funding, but importantly i do have the uni's backing for this.

leigh1, you are really really lucky!
One digressive question: how likely is it to get fully funded with a first in a different subject and a merit in masters? My undergrad is business/finance-related and then the PhD lies in sociology, although I have a transferring master's in social science. I am too obsessed with this coz I know other applicants have 2:1s and even firsts in a social science subject. Business/Finance is best described as vocation-oriented rather than academic-oriented. Sigh...... Any input?

sorry, i didn't answer your question, should have created a new thread...

The 'no knockers' bit implies that you are only looking for a positive reply to your query. Regardless, thinking back, I for one was quite surprised you retrospectively obtained funding for your Masters. Arguably, the logic was that it was ‘unallocated monies’ that the Dept. would have had to return to the research council if they didn't give it to you [although I can't remember the circumstances entirely].

I would imagine a great deal depends on how you do in the Masters. If you get a distinction then it enhances your chances. That said, competition for research funding is intense and your dire undergrad degree is bound to impact to some extent. I'm not knocking, but there is little point pretending otherwise.

All you can do is apply and see in the end.

I thought it would depend on how you did on your masters rather than your first degree. Because if you do well, it makes up for getting a third. I have no experience, it just makes sense to me...

Good luck anyway!

In a nutshell, yes it is possible if you can get a Distinction on your Masters. Your UG degree is something of a millstone which may ultimately prohibit funding until you've proved yourself on your Masters. Alot of it depends on what prospective supervisor thinks of you, in which case time to go on a charm offensive and only mention the UG result later.

Some interesting points made about MA/MSc results.

Although I'm not a scientist, I have found that the MA result isn't all that useful when applying especially when most MAs take 12 months and you're applying for PhD places and funding half-way through the MA. In this situation, you don't have your MA and are considered for funding based on references and your BA result. However, if unsuccessful you can reapply in your 2nd year.

I think you've been given a lifeline with an MA. I would imagine that not many supervisors and depts would take somebody on with a 3rd.

Good luck though

leigh1, mind telling us what your degree background was? just out of curiosity, it might be a hard one which we don't even hear of.

I know this won't be popular...but if there weren't extenuating circumstances which led to your third are you sure you want to commit to a PhD? Of course if you do excellently in your Masters then maybe this proves you do have what it takes, but a third is quite a step below a 2.2 isn't it?

I'm not trying to flame or anything, just a bit curious, the only people I know with thirds were out of their trees for the most part of uni!