GOGSoc

No, I applied to the Wellcome Trust. They commended my application as being of a very high standard and that they thought my proposal was well thought out and viable and I am a strong candidate for obtaining a PhD. Then they declined to fund it because I "don't have the necessary experience in ethics". Hmm, I only wrote 20,000 words on ethics in my final year of undergrad! I think I was turned down because I didn't do a Masters - I'm going straight to PhD.

Seems the likely reason. I don't know about the Welcome Trust, but the AHRC make it clear that they expect a Masters:
http://www.ahrc.ac.uk/apply/postgrad/postgrad_details_d/eligibility.asp

Any reason you chose not to do one? I'd have thought that they'd be a prerequisite if you wanted PhD funding (unless you took some time out, or were a 'Special Student' at Harvard / on some scholarship that didn't result in a degree).

Sounds like they've not given you're app full attention, then, and you're a victim of bureaucracy. If they've had so many, and are just looking for excuses to reject candidates, then I can understand their simply scouting for a box you haven't (exactly) ticked.

edit: of course, by "understand", I don't mean I support that kind of process. Quite the opposite.

I went on a 5 day residential UKGRAD course which was good fun and a little enlightening, but to me it was just a nice free holiday with a few team building exercises. I'd recommend going because I had a great time and perhaps came out with a bit more of a positive outlook (although that wasn't hard given that I was in the midst of the second year blues), but it didn't make me into a super-professional go-getter with bags on 'soft skills'. It is nice to realise that being on the road to getting a PhD means you are an intelligent and talented person and doing the exercises does that.

I would have liked to have dones stuff like this, and conferences too - but 25 days PA annual leave means I won't have time to do that and make it home for family birthdays/xmas/easter etc.

The grad school should not count as part of your leave as far as I am aware.

I'll be working on a government department not a university. That's why I'm doing a PhD part time. Apparently any time I take off to do PhDy stuff has to be my leave. Boooooooooooo!!

The grad school should not count as part of your leave as far as I am aware.

A point in your other post, a PGDip isn't the same as a master's I'm afraid.

In most cases I'd agree, but the PgDip I have done is the professional course and exams required by the law society. My average week's work was about 70 hours a week, so in this case I would say it was the same workload. In fact, some universities give you a Masters for it.

ive eaten a burger the size of a house and had too much to drink. ooooooooooooooooooh my.