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PhD Problems
Wondering if anyone can help me with the following problems/questions. I am applying for a PhD studentship at the same university I completed my BA at (I achieved a high grade)
1) How do I go about getting exam transcripts for A Level and GCSE?
2) I have no experience in research etc other than my dissertation at BA level so what do I write about in that section of the application?
3) All of my referees will be tutors working at the same uni I'll be attending, does this matter?
4) Just how difficult is a PhD interview?
5) Are you likely to get in for a PhD without an MA?
1) How do I go about getting exam transcripts for A Level and GCSE?
2) I have no experience in research etc other than my dissertation at BA level so what do I write about in that section of the application?
3) All of my referees will be tutors working at the same uni I'll be attending, does this matter?
4) Just how difficult is a PhD interview?
5) Are you likely to get in for a PhD without an MA?
Reply 1
1) Are A-Level & GCSE results required for the application? I don't think I was ever asked for mine beyond applying for BAs. I suppose if they are needed, contact your old school?
2) Perhaps outline what you did for your BA thesis- some of the sources used, methodology used, any software you learned to use, etc. Basically outline any skills you have that can be applied to research at postgraduate level. It needn't be too long.
3) No.
4) It depends. If you have a cogent idea for your research, and can explain and defend that at the interview, it needn't be too scary. Especially since it's at the same university you attended for your BA, so you will likely know your interviewers.
5) What subject is this? I would have thought that for most humanities subjects, like history & English for example, an MA would be almost compulsory at this stage. I think to be considered for Research Council funding, like the AHRC or ESRC, an MA is needed. However, some university-specific studentships may not, especially if the person applying was one of their own undergrads, as in your case. I suspect if you applied outside of your own university, you would encounter problems without the MA.
2) Perhaps outline what you did for your BA thesis- some of the sources used, methodology used, any software you learned to use, etc. Basically outline any skills you have that can be applied to research at postgraduate level. It needn't be too long.
3) No.
4) It depends. If you have a cogent idea for your research, and can explain and defend that at the interview, it needn't be too scary. Especially since it's at the same university you attended for your BA, so you will likely know your interviewers.
5) What subject is this? I would have thought that for most humanities subjects, like history & English for example, an MA would be almost compulsory at this stage. I think to be considered for Research Council funding, like the AHRC or ESRC, an MA is needed. However, some university-specific studentships may not, especially if the person applying was one of their own undergrads, as in your case. I suspect if you applied outside of your own university, you would encounter problems without the MA.
Reply 2
A level results are definitely required (I needed them on my CV even when I was applying for postdoc jobs!). GCSE yes if you don't have an MA but I've seen them on some academic CVs as well.
The poster above has covered most of what I wanted to say.
Re: interviews, they can be stressful if you have a large panel interview but those tend to be rare. You will typically have an interview with the academic and maybe someone from the funding body. At interview they'll want to know why this uni, topic and supervisor, why you want to do a PhD and what your career plans are. They'll also ask you more topic specific questions to test your knowledge of the field and the topic.
Most PhDs require a 2.1 at bachelor's level and no masters but because of the competition for funding you may be disadvantaged by not having a masters degree.
It does help a lot that the people you may be interviewing with may already know you and your referee and of your work so make sure they're aware that you're applying and that you've spoken to them about the project and your interest beforehand.
The poster above has covered most of what I wanted to say.
Re: interviews, they can be stressful if you have a large panel interview but those tend to be rare. You will typically have an interview with the academic and maybe someone from the funding body. At interview they'll want to know why this uni, topic and supervisor, why you want to do a PhD and what your career plans are. They'll also ask you more topic specific questions to test your knowledge of the field and the topic.
Most PhDs require a 2.1 at bachelor's level and no masters but because of the competition for funding you may be disadvantaged by not having a masters degree.
It does help a lot that the people you may be interviewing with may already know you and your referee and of your work so make sure they're aware that you're applying and that you've spoken to them about the project and your interest beforehand.
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