The Student Room Group

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Reply 1
It's not a case of either or. An MSci is normally a 4yr undergraduate course, which is similar to doing 3years BSc + 1yrs masters, though you don't have to fund the 'postgraduate' year independently. A Phd is normally something you do after a masters isn't it? And takes a year?
Reply 2
I dont knooooooow!!!!!!! I'm new! I wouldnt know these things! I really shouldnt havent placed a poll :dong: :argh: (why isnt there a smiley for crying?!?!) :frown:
Reply 3
PhD lasts 3-4 years, and can done after a MSci or BSc undergraduate degree.
Reply 4
I think you need to have done a MSci (or MMath or MEng etc.) to be accepted onto to study for a PhD. I plan to do a MMath then if I think I could do more studying go for the PhD.

A plus side to both of these is that if you do a MMath you get called a Master of Mathematics and if you do a PhD in Maths you get called Doctor, cool eh?
Reply 5
Strumpet
A Phd is normally something you do after a masters isn't it? And takes a year?


A PhD takes anywhere from 3-7 years (in the UK the average is 3-4 years), depending on what country you take it and what kind of PhD programme you follow.
Reply 6
TomX
I think you need to have done a MSci (or MMath or MEng etc.) to be accepted onto to study for a PhD. I plan to do a MMath then if I think I could do more studying go for the PhD.

A plus side to both of these is that if you do a MMath you get called a Master of Mathematics and if you do a PhD in Maths you get called Doctor, cool eh?


I did my D.Phil straight from my BSc.
Reply 7
so would you guys recogmend doing a Msci before doing a Phd??
Reply 8
I think looking at the replies, you need to do an MSci and then go onto do a Phd afterwards, if you want, you dont need to decide that now. Pick the BSc or MSci that you want to do and then look at Phd's afterwards.
Reply 9
Da Mouse
so would you guys recogmend doing a Msci before doing a Phd??

I would recommend thinking about getting on to a undergrad degree course first and then worry about what happens next afterwards!
ditto, shiny.
Reply 11
ok then thanx people! - not many universities do Msci's i find :s:
Da Mouse
ok then thanx people! - not many universities do Msci's i find :s:


In what subject?
Reply 13
Sorry - i meant in biochemistry
Da Mouse
Sorry - i meant in biochemistry


Well the MSci in Biochem isn't really a big thing, you can still get into most (if not all) PhD programmes with a BSc in Biochemistry.
Reply 15
So i dont actually need an Msci in biochemistry?!?!??! cos i heard that its kinda hard an competitive to be able to get in and do Phd's - or is that not true when it comes to biochem?
Reply 16
What's the competition for an interesting PhD at somewhere decent like? (In any scientific subject)
Reply 17
riccardo
What's the competition for an interesting PhD at somewhere decent like? (In any scientific subject)

You can get anything from nearly no-one to hundreds of people applying (in the most popular departments)! :eek:
Reply 18
yeah, it really depends which subject you want to do your PhD in - for the really exotic ones the government will give you grants and so on, just to encourage people to do PhDs in those subjects no one wants to do.
Reply 19
Da Mouse
So i dont actually need an Msci in biochemistry?!?!??! cos i heard that its kinda hard an competitive to be able to get in and do Phd's - or is that not true when it comes to biochem?


it's probably best to write to the universities you're applying to. Just ask the admissions tutors for advice when you apply, they'll be able to help you much better probably, and be able to tell you if you need a BSci to be able to do a PhD in your subject, but also be able to advise you if doing a PhD is actually needed for the career you'd like to pursue.
I'm afraid I don't know what it's like for biochemistry, but say you wanted to go and work in industry, they might tell you 'hell, no, don't do a PhD, you're better of taking this course we have with a year in industry placement' or they'll tell you that you really do need a PhD to go into research or what ever.