Undergrad finalist, just been encouraged by my supervisor to apply for a PhD

OK, so I'm currently a third year artificial intelligence student, but I'm looking to go into the Computational Neuroscience/Cognitive Science area. I was going to apply for a relevant Master's at a different uni to the one I'm at now. Went to visit, really liked the course and was excited about the prospect of starting there. Then earlier this week I got a bit of a surprise. My supervisor for my final year project told me about a funded PhD opportunity he is running, and encouraged me to apply for it.

I didn't even realise beforehand that it was possible to do a PhD without first doing a Master's, so I hadn't even been considering the possibility, so I don't really know much about the process of applying for one. It does look like a really good opportunity, it's in the kind of Neuroscience area I'm interested in and it looks at a similar theme as my final year project. Only thing is I don't know if I'd be confident making that leap to PhD level without first going doing a Master's. Having said that, my supervisor said he wouldn't have asked if he didn't think I was capable, which was a nice confidence boost (I've never really been a top student, only got BCC at A Level, and a 3rd in my first year, so I've always doubted my ability to go on into postgrad education)

Only problem with this is I have to apply within a month. It seems a like a short amount of time in which to make a major life decision. So I just wanted some advice- anyone here done a PhD without a Master's, would you recommend it? Any advice on the application process (although hopefully this will be quite informal as I know the supervisors)?

OK, so I'm currently a third year artificial intelligence student, but I'm looking to go into the Computational Neuroscience/Cognitive Science area. I was going to apply for a relevant Master's at a different uni to the one I'm at now. Went to visit, really liked the course and was excited about the prospect of starting there. Then earlier this week I got a bit of a surprise. My supervisor for my final year project told me about a funded PhD opportunity he is running, and encouraged me to apply for it.

I didn't even realise beforehand that it was possible to do a PhD without first doing a Master's, so I hadn't even been considering the possibility, so I don't really know much about the process of applying for one. It does look like a really good opportunity, it's in the kind of Neuroscience area I'm interested in and it looks at a similar theme as my final year project. Only thing is I don't know if I'd be confident making that leap to PhD level without first going doing a Master's. Having said that, my supervisor said he wouldn't have asked if he didn't think I was capable, which was a nice confidence boost (I've never really been a top student, only got BCC at A Level, and a 3rd in my first year, so I've always doubted my ability to go on into postgrad education)

Only problem with this is I have to apply within a month. It seems a like a short amount of time in which to make a major life decision. So I just wanted some advice- anyone here done a PhD without a Master's, would you recommend it? Any advice on the application process (although hopefully this will be quite informal as I know the supervisors)?

I didn't even realise beforehand that it was possible to do a PhD without first doing a Master's

Only problem with this is I have to apply within a month. It seems a like a short amount of time in which to make a major life decision.

What were you planning to do after the Masters? Unless you already have a job lined up, the PhD will essentially be a guaranteed paid "job" in your specialism for the next three years. That's something that many graduates would give their eye teeth for.

I definitely think you should apply, from the sounds of it this is exactly what you would be going for after the Masters anyway and it might be difficult to get this opportunity again. If it is similar to your final year project that would probably be an asset in applying, which your supervisor obviously knew when he suggested it, so I would think you have a decent shot

Quite often PhDs without a masters will incorporate the important things from a masters course within the first year of the PhD so you're not missing out. To be honest, one of the things that a masters year will teach you is to cover a massive amount of work and reading and to be able to take in appropriate stuff from that very quickly. So, if you have a hard working ethic you'll find that while it's a new skill, it's not that hard as you're willing to work hard. The people who sail through life without academic problems will get stuck at some point where they have to put effort in - if you've already gotten over this or have always worked hard then you should be fine!