Couple of questions about PG study

I'll just start by saying a bit about myself - going into my third and final year of a Psychology degree at the University of Bristol. Got a 2.1 for both my first and second years (1st year didn't count and 2nd year is worth 40% of the overall grade) and am expecting a 2.1 overall.

I'm interested in doing a taught masters course of some sort and then potentially a PhD afterwards. The taught masters is likely to be an MSc in Research Methods. At the moment I'm thinking of Bristol, York, Nottingham, Oxford, Sussex and UCL.

I've spent my summer working in a department at my uni linked to the medical faculty doing medical research (more like health statistics/epidemiology) and sometime in the next year I'll be doing some work experience at the UK branch of Elsevier (one of the world's biggest publishers of science journals/books).

Ok, couple of questions:
1. When do I start applying to courses I want to do? Should it be done before or after I graduate?

2. Would it make more sense to go straight onto a PhD rather than do a masters first? I'm not sure I'm cut out for a PhD yet. Is it normal to do a masters first? I've heard that the masters can count as the first year of a PhD, but then I was doing a bit of reading and in some circumstances doing a masters just seems to grant you access to the PhD... bit confused here! Is this what a 1+3 is?

3. How do you go about getting funding for a PhD?

4. Do you have to do any teaching during a PhD? I'm not keen on lecturing UGs! Can you get research posts that don't require you to have to lecture?

5. How many courses can you apply to? Is it like UG where you apply to a set number of unis?

6. Would it be sensible to do PG study at the same uni as your UG degree?

If you got this far, thank you so much for reading! sorry there are so many questions! Please do give me as much advice/stick as you want and feel free to probe me for information that could help you to answer my questions!

skotch

EDIT: There are some more questions in a post further down the thread...

(edited 11 years ago)

Reply 1

threeportdrift

Careers Forum Helper

Original post by skotch

Ok, couple of questions:
1. When do I start applying to courses I want to do? Should it be done before or after I graduate? Either, if you've got funding in place or want to apply to a course in order to apply for funding, start applying now. If you want to take a year out to earn some money, then apply in teh autumn after you gradaute

2. Would it make more sense to go straight onto a PhD rather than do a masters first? It depends, and possibly not in your subject area - talk to your lecturers who've been through all this

I'm not sure I'm cut out for a PhD yet. Is it normal to do a masters first? Used to be, but there are more direct routes nowadays, usually in the sciences more than the arts and humanities

I've heard that the masters can count as the first year of a PhD, Sometimes, but usually not, what happens in you do a year of your PhD research and then have to 'upgrade' in some way to the full PhD. If you fail at this point your work to date might suffice for a Masters award. Each university has different rules. Bottom line, you can't submit the same piece of work for 2 degrees, so you aren't going to get a Masters and a PhD awarded in 3 years

but then I was doing a bit of reading and in some circumstances doing a masters just seems to grant you access to the PhD... bit confused here! Is this what a 1+3 is? When a research council funds you for a Masters, and if you pass, then automatically continues to fund you for PhD < although I haven't followed this system myself and therefore don't have a detailed knowledge

3. How do you go about getting funding for a PhD? Search, apply, it's very difficult - again, ask staff in your department

4. Do you have to do any teaching during a PhD? No I'm not keen on lecturing UGs! Can you get research posts that don't require you to have to lecture? You certainly can at Bristol - ask your staff about pathways 1, 2 and 3. Not sure all universities have that system though

5. How many courses can you apply to? As many as you like to make the effort to apply to. Is it like UG where you apply to a set number of unis? No

6. Would it be sensible to do PG study at the same uni as your UG degree? People vary in their opinions, some say a move is best, others say that advantages of being is a system you know is a great advantage. It comes down to where you get your offers and your preference really

As above

Reply 2

skotch

Original post by threeportdrift

As above

Ahhhh you absolute legend for taking the time to answer all my questions!!

Reply 3

Klix88

A few ideas based on my experience:

1. When do I start applying to courses I want to do? Should it be done before or after I graduate?

Apply now or as soon as you can. I applied in October of my third year and had a provisional Masters place by November, having visited my prospective uni and met the course leader. My place was confirmed once my final mark was received at the end of my degree.

2. Would it make more sense to go straight onto a PhD rather than do a masters first? I'm not sure I'm cut out for a PhD yet. Is it normal to do a masters first?

In my field, you have to do a Masters before being considered for a PhD. However, I believe that other specialisms can be different. I suspect that a First at undergrad would be a pre-requisite to going from UG direct to a PhD, but there's no harm in asking. A Masters (especially a Research Masters) would be useful preparation for PhD research if you're not sure whether that's for you.

I've heard that the masters can count as the first year of a PhD, but then I was doing a bit of reading and in some circumstances doing a masters just seems to grant you access to the PhD... bit confused here! Is this what a 1+3 is?

The first year of a PhD in my field is an MPhil, which follows on from a Masters. I've never come across a 1+3.

3. How do you go about getting funding for a PhD?

With great difficulty. The first type are funded PhDs. This will be research specified by an organisation but which comes with living and studying costs attached. It's essentially like applying for a three year fixed term job with the final deliverable being your thesis.

If you want to pursue your own research interests, then funding can be very problematic. In my field, we rely on things like the AHRC and the Leverhulme Trust, but again, these are very competitive. You'll need to research your specific field to find sources of funding which relate to that.

4. Do you have to do any teaching during a PhD? I'm not keen on lecturing UGs! Can you get research posts that don't require you to have to lecture?

Generally, I've found that funded PhDs at universities do involve contact time with UGs. It can be part of the package of deliverables, or you might be offered teaching hours for nominal extra money. It can be a useful way of getting teaching onto your CV.

If you're self-funded, then this is less likely to be an expected part of your duties.

5. How many courses can you apply to? Is it like UG where you apply to a set number of unis?

It's not as structured a process as applying via UCAS. Each uni will have its own application process and will assess its own Masters students from start to finish. On my application, I had to give details of any other universities I was applying to, so do expect that to be public knowledge. Not an issue for me as I only had one target Masters course. I don't know whether applying to several will predjudice your applications. Hopefully someone else can advise.

6. Would it be sensible to do PG study at the same uni as your UG degree?

I've found it very useful to do my Masters at a different university, although I'm hopeing to go back to my UG uni for my MPhil/PhD. Different types of approach can radically affect how you see your subject and it's good to be exposed to these so that you can decide where you stand amongst others in your field.

(edited 11 years ago)

Reply 4

skotch

Original post by Klix88

...

Thank you so much too!

Reply 5

skotch

Ok, got a few more questions:

1. Is it worth taking a year out before completing an MSc in order to get work experience and potentially earn a bit of money? I only really have one bit of work experience related to what I want to do and know I could get some more, but I wouldn't be able to do much before the deadlines for applying. I think that Oxford is my favourite at the moment, but they only accept 16 people for the course, so I think, at the moment, it's highly unlikely I would get in without more work experience.

2. Why do Oxford charge a £50 fee simply for applying? Is it to put people off? Are there other universities that do this too?

3. This is probably answered elsewhere, but do you have much time for extra-curricular activities and socialising whilst you're doing a PG course?

Reply 6

Klix88

1. Is it worth taking a year out before completing an MSc in order to get work experience and potentially earn a bit of money? I only really have one bit of work experience related to what I want to do and know I could get some more, but I wouldn't be able to do much before the deadlines for applying. I think that Oxford is my favourite at the moment, but they only accept 16 people for the course, so I think, at the moment, it's highly unlikely I would get in without more work experience.

I think it mainly depends on how you feel about studying. I went straight from undergrad into a Masters, simply because I felt that I'd built up the momentum for studying and I didn't want to have to wind up to it all over again. I felt that I hit the ground running when I started the Masters.

On the other hand, several people I studied with at undergrad took a year off uni and are starting their Masters courses now. The main reason seems that they were just a bit worn out and needed a break from studying. The year out gave them a chance to recharge their batteries and start the Masters with more energy. Many have worked during their "year off" but have mainly had to take part-time or casual jobs.

So from that, I guess it depends on how you feel right now and whether you'll be able to get a job. If work experience is key to getting into a competitive course (and it might be best to confirm that with Oxford rather than making the assumption), then the year out makes sense - as long as you can land the right job.

2. Why do Oxford charge a £50 fee simply for applying? Is it to put people off? Are there other universities that do this too?

I suspect Oxford gets a lot of people applying just because of the name/reputation, who know full well that they don't stand a chance of getting in but want bragging rights. A £50 charge is enough to make that sort of person think twice.

I don't remember being asked for a fee to apply for my Masters and can't find a reference to it in the application guides I downloaded. I don't think it's standard. Others might be better placed to advise.

3. This is probably answered elsewhere, but do you have much time for extra-curricular activities and socialising whilst you're doing a PG course?

Short answer in my experience: No. Studying through evenings, weekends and lecture breaks (formerly known as "holidays"!) was pretty much the norm for me. It was full-on, September to September.