PhD with a 2:1?
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PhD with a 2:1?Right.
I know it's going to be harder to get onto a PhD course with a 2:1, let alone find funding, and I know Arts/Humanities aren't the best funded either.
I just want a bit of advice/opinions on whether or not it's realistic for me to be planning to continue to PhD? My research area of interest is the portrayal of female sexuality and gender in late Anglo-Saxon and Medieval literature, which is a bit niche but aren't most Arts subjects?
I'm kind of asking because one of my tutors on the MA course I withdrew from (personal reasons) basically told me it was ridiculous for me to aspire to PhD because I 'didn't have a good degree'...
Oh, yeah, btw I'm starting a different MA course at a different institution this September. Should have said that
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Re: PhD with a 2:1?You're asking if we know better than your teachers basically? Let's see, YOU think we know better than your tenured academic teachers?
Maybe if you're exceptional and lucky and enough other people are crap. But, you know, most people at this level have high 2.i/first class degrees and good masters. Yes, arts are niche but that you means you just get a high concentration of talented and passionate people.
If you think you can compete with that, sure. We have no idea. -
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Re: PhD with a 2:1?Are you asking whether you will get a place/funding, or whether you will cope academically?
The former...you answered it yourself, the latter, I think a masters is usually a better indiciation of ability at PhD than your undergraduate, particularly your dissertation. However, without stellar undergraduate marks, you're probably going to have to leave a year in between masters and PhD, so you'll have time to see how you found your MA, and what your results were.
For the record, I have a 2:1, and an overall pass in my MA, and am doing a PhD. I do, however, spend a lot of time experiencing 'am I good enough' syndrome. -
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Re: PhD with a 2:1?I'm not necessarily asking that, The Lyceum. It's more... some people think PhD is a good idea and y'know, I've never been one to stop aspiring. I just want to know if it's realistic.
I know full well that it's competitive. When I say I had a 2.1, it was only a couple of marks off a First. I know that means nowt, in the wider scale of things, but I'm a little... I dunno. I didn't think I had that low a chance until what the tutor said. I didn't think my degree was that bad, considering all I went through to get it. But that's another story for another thread. -
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Re: PhD with a 2:1?I'm sure you worked hard, seriously I don't mean that in a patronising manner. The problem is sheer numbers.(Original post by SpangleMagnet)
I'm not necessarily asking that, The Lyceum. It's more... some people think PhD is a good idea and y'know, I've never been one to stop aspiring. I just want to know if it's realistic.
I know full well that it's competitive. When I say I had a 2.1, it was only a couple of marks off a First. I know that means nowt, in the wider scale of things, but I'm a little... I dunno. I didn't think I had that low a chance until what the tutor said. I didn't think my degree was that bad, considering all I went through to get it. But that's another story for another thread.
All I can say is, do awesome on your MA with a great thesis and give it a shot, failing that take some time off...maybe try to publish something (I know!, near impossible!) and then try again. You might get lucky, maybe not.
Look, even the very best get shafted in this game, so not getting funding or whatever doesn't mean you're bad necessarily. Like I said, its largely down to numbers.
If you want it, fight. Just perhaps soberly assess the sheer improbability involved. Best advice I, or anybody else, can give. Also, work hard on coming up with a back up plan. -
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Re: PhD with a 2:1?Thanks. Getting my BA was a nightmare (I have mental health problems) so I'm damned proud I came out with a 2.1 and I'm not going to let anyone dampen that
Back up plan is the normal back up plan for anyone in Arts/Humanities- teaching, ahaha. Well, teaching or setting up a touring educational theatre/story telling company to bring the ancient heroic epics to school age kids. But that needs money. Which I do not have. Wooo. -
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Re: PhD with a 2:1?This sounds way cooler, and much more fun, than a PhD(Original post by SpangleMagnet)
setting up a touring educational theatre/story telling company to bring the ancient heroic epics to school age kids. But that needs money. Which I do not have. Wooo.
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Re: PhD with a 2:1?It'll be difficult, as you know, but it's not impossible. It very much depends on your MA result and your interest area. If you are the right candidate and have a research plan that a particular university think is the best one submitted to them, then you're in with a good shot. But not having a first will automatically put you one rung down the ladder, so if a PhD is what you want, you will have to work harder than anyone else to get anywhere. It'll be tough!
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Re: PhD with a 2:1?Getting PhD offers won't be the problem (assuming the department has a suitable supervisor), it's funding that will be...(Original post by SpangleMagnet)
Right.
I know it's going to be harder to get onto a PhD course with a 2:1, let alone find funding, and I know Arts/Humanities aren't the best funded either.
I just want a bit of advice/opinions on whether or not it's realistic for me to be planning to continue to PhD? My research area of interest is the portrayal of female sexuality and gender in late Anglo-Saxon and Medieval literature, which is a bit niche but aren't most Arts subjects?
I'm kind of asking because one of my tutors on the MA course I withdrew from (personal reasons) basically told me it was ridiculous for me to aspire to PhD because I 'didn't have a good degree'...
Oh, yeah, btw I'm starting a different MA course at a different institution this September. Should have said that
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Re: PhD with a 2:1?I don't think a 2:1 rules you out at all, especially when you are doing an MA as well. The Masters will give you a much better insight into research and hopefully give you lots more ideas on how to focus your PhD proposal. And if you decide you want to stay at the same department for your PhD that's going to be even more beneficial - you'll know the department, they'll know you, and it always looks good if one of the people writing your reference is your potential PhD supervisor! They will also be able to advise you on sources of funding - there may be little pockets of university or department funding that are less well known. And if they want you as a PhD student, it's amazing what they can make happen! Good luck with your MA course and don't give up the dream!
