MA/MPhil and PhD English Applicants 2021

Yeah, or in case they feel pressured or like I'm trying to exert undue influence. Argh

Tiny bit worried about the diminishing funding and college opportunities as well now .... but whatever. Just need some kind of decision at this point.
Which mphil strand are you on right now btw? Or would you rather keep that private

Reply 781

burnnorton

5

Original post by dmorgendorffer

Same here - not crazy about missing out on funding. I'd rather keep my strand private, but I'm NOT in anything older than the 18th century :smile:

You?

Similar strand haha yeah

Reply 782

caffeelatte

2

Original post by chloejstanfield

Out of interest guys, how many of you are applying for your PhD/DPhil straight after a master’s? Eg. You’ve done your 3/4 year Bachelor’s, immediately started a master’s, and now immediately want to start your Doctorate? (if you haven’t had a break in your education I’m assuming you’d be 22/23?) I’ve worked really hard part-time alongside my undergraduate to try and save up enough money to fund my MA (with the UK postgraduate loan) and then go onto a PhD if I get accepted somewhere (incl the living costs ofc).... how (un)realistic is my thinking? 🤣💞 I respect you guys a lot and would appreciate any thoughts! Best, Chloe x

It makes total sense imo (I'm slightly more familiar with the 5/6-year programs in the US, however). If you want to do more research work, I think you may also look into doing the MPhil degree instead. I've also thought a lot about finances. You may already know this (but in case you don't), the PhD programs in the US are mostly fully-funded (with a livable stipend) for all five/six years even for international students. Students start coursework in the first two years and move on to the dissertation after the qualifying exams in the third year (the precise timelines vary among programs). I personally like the "financial security" in a way, though there will be TA responsibilities and the admission process isn't quite transparent. I was working on my 2-year MA when I applied and finally received an offer this year so I'll probably be unable to wait to hear back from Cambridge.

Reply 783

TwoLimes

17

Just got rejected. Really bummed about this one. Best of luck y’all.

Reply 784

ev78

7

As I indicated earlier on this thread for those who noticed- I'd recieved an offer for a PhD at Durham, just got one today (informally) post-interview at Bristol. I'm an international student and to me both those Universities look about the same. The Supervisors both seem brilliant- at Bristol both my supervisors are interested in my area of focus, while at Durham, one is super-specialised and the other has more of a general expertise. They both offer advantages and I liked everyone's profile.
The supervisors both seemed prompt in their replies and generally quite friendly at both places too.Funding levels are the same as well (currently applying for external funding, location is no matter for the bodies)
How would you guys make the choice?

(edited 3 years ago)

Reply 785

ev78

7

Original post by dmorgendorffer

Congrats on both offers! Both unis are good, but it depends on what your plans are after. Bristol has the better international reputation; domestically in the UK, they are seen as equivalent. I’d also add that it might be good to consider which supervisor and department feels like the better, more supportive fit...that can make a huge difference both during and after your degree, when you might need a network or support for your academic or professional career.

Thank you for your wishes and the advice!
I wish I could visit the departments/Universities. That would be ideal, unfortunately, that seems a bit next to impossible. I seem to like the idea of Durham instinctively, with the small city. From prior reviews, as found on the internet, Durham seems to have higher student satisfaction but that is clearly an Undergraduate thing so, I'm so glad I applied to only three. Doing SWOTs for more a couple of Unis is a nightmare.

Reply 786

Oxbridge 21/22

5

Original post by ev78

As I indicated earlier on this thread for those who noticed- I'd recieved an offer for a PhD at Durham, just got one today (informally) post-interview at Bristol. I'm an international student and to me both those Universities look about the same. The Supervisors both seem brilliant- at Bristol both my supervisors are interested in my area of focus, while at Durham, one is super-specialised and the other has more of a general expertise. They both offer advantages and I liked everyone's profile.
The supervisors both seemed prompt in their replies and generally quite friendly at both places too.Funding levels are the same as well (currently applying for external funding, location is no matter for the bodies)
How would you guys make the choice?

Do you want to be in a city or a town?

Reply 787

Oxbridge 21/22

5

Original post by dmorgendorffer

Congrats on both offers! Both unis are good, but it depends on what your plans are after. Bristol has the better international reputation; domestically in the UK, they are seen as equivalent. I’d also add that it might be good to consider which supervisor and department feels like the better, more supportive fit...that can make a huge difference both during and after your degree, when you might need a network or support for your academic or professional career.

I disagree, Durham is considered better domestically. Perhaps not by much though

Reply 788

burnnorton

5

Original post by dmorgendorffer

Hope you guys are seeing some movement today! My portal moved to PAO as of this afternoon for the PhD.

Congratulations
Just wondering – did you get an email along with it or was it just a portal update?

Reply 789

Oxbridge 21/22

5

Original post by dmorgendorffer

It’s interesting to parse it out. UK rankings place greater weight on undergrad student satisfaction, which is why places like Durham rank well as they have good undergrad pastoral care. But international rankings place greater weight on research output/citations and other “influence”-based factors, areas where Bristol does better. So overall, it depends on whether an applicant is UG or PG to decide which factor is more important :smile:

That is completely fair

Reply 790

ev78

7

Original post by Oxbridge 21/22

Do you want to be in a city or a town?

I think I like smaller cities, so a point for Durham haha

Reply 791

sunspears

4

Received my offer email for the Masters in M&C--good luck to everyone still waiting/stuck in GAO <3

Reply 792

hmus

7

Original post by sunspears

Received my offer email for the Masters in M&C--good luck to everyone still waiting/stuck in GAO <3

This is very exciting, and congrats! When did your portal move to GAO/PAO if I may ask?

Reply 793

emjoy97

2

Original post by hmus

This is very exciting, and congrats! When did your portal move to GAO/PAO if I may ask?

Congrats!! Shamelessly interested in the answer to this haha -- I applied to the same strand, but am currently stuck on PAO (my status only changed from Degree Committee last week ugh).

Reply 794

sunspears

4

Original post by emjoy97

Congrats!! Shamelessly interested in the answer to this haha -- I applied to the same strand, but am currently stuck on PAO (my status only changed from Degree Committee last week ugh).

Original post by hmus

This is very exciting, and congrats! When did your portal move to GAO/PAO if I may ask?

Mine changed last Wednesday!

Reply 795

sunspears

4

Question--does anyone know anything about altering the conditions of the offer? My undergrad institution in the US offers pass/fail courses that we take for fun as spare classes/etc. and some classes (like creative writing) are mandatorily pass/fail (you can't get graded)

but my offer says that all pass/fail credits are counted as 2.0??!?!??!?! All the classes I have taken pass/fail are either mandatory, or "spare classes." By spare I mean they put me above the number of credits that count for a full semester. This calculation TANKS my GPA, when at my institution we are explicitly told that the purpose of pass/fail is exploration without fearing GPA consequences.

I was wondering if it is alright to reach out to the department for help? Kind of freaking out.

Reply 796

likesenglish12

6

Original post by ev78

I think I like smaller cities, so a point for Durham haha

Hello, I couldn't help but jump back on here and vouch for Bristol! I am a current third year at Bristol and I couldn't recommend it more. The department is truly amazing - both academically and in terms of the support they offer. The courses at Bristol (and the academics that offer them) are intellectually challenging and stimulating, and the city is beautiful and actually doesn't feel that big at all, because there is such a sense of community in the city and the uni. I'll hopefully be staying for my MA, so hope to see you there! Do you mind me asking who your potential supervisor is? :smile:

Reply 797

emjoy97

2

Original post by sunspears

Mine changed last Wednesday!

Well done you! Did you get an official email, or did you find out on the portal?

Reply 798

hmus

7

Original post by sunspears

Question--does anyone know anything about altering the conditions of the offer? My undergrad institution in the US offers pass/fail courses that we take for fun as spare classes/etc. and some classes (like creative writing) are mandatorily pass/fail (you can't get graded)

but my offer says that all pass/fail credits are counted as 2.0??!?!??!?! All the classes I have taken pass/fail are either mandatory, or "spare classes." By spare I mean they put me above the number of credits that count for a full semester. This calculation TANKS my GPA, when at my institution we are explicitly told that the purpose of pass/fail is exploration without fearing GPA consequences.

I was wondering if it is alright to reach out to the department for help? Kind of freaking out.

Definitely reach out to the department - that may be one of those "lost in translation" sort of things! At my undergrad institution in the US, pass/fail courses were much the same and your overall GPA should not be affected. Perhaps the offer means that the 2.0 counts as 2 class credits rather than a 2.0 toward your GPA?