PhD The Early Process, Application and Interview advice

Do PhD students count as full time students (and therefore exempt from Council tax etc). Can all the guides available for undergraduate student housing be applicable for phd students too?

Generally yes, as long as you live in university owned accommodation.

what about living in private accommodation though? Anywhere I can find info on that specifically for phd students?

Sorry, for private housing, you will be exempt from council tax, if everyone living with you is also a student, if anyone who lives with you is not a student, then you get 25% off the council tax

I'm getting interviewed for a PhD studentship vacancy at Southampton tomorrow afternoon. Absolutely bricking it because it is is on a particular topic that I'm really interested in. Anyone have any last-minute tips/pointers?

Hi guys, I'm new to the forum and I just wanted to ask if having 2 masters degrees increases your chances of landing a phd?

I am currently doing a masters degree(cancer biology) but my undergrad was not so great - I barely managed to get a 2.1. So I was thinking of doing 2 masters to hopefully get a studentship(cancer research related) for the following year.

Any help would be appreciated!

Although I'm nowhere near in your field, I highly doubt that a second masters, particularly in the same field, would make any difference at all to your chances of getting funded. If anything, it would raise awkward questions like "Why did you do a second masters?" Rather than wasting time and money on a second masters, put all your time and effort into getting the highest possible result from your current masters and writing a killer application for your chosen PhD - that's what will win you funding.

Thank you for your reply. I understand what you mean ellie. What happens if I dont make it this year, is there anything I can do for a year to increase my chances for the next year?

Hi guys, I'm new to the forum and I just wanted to ask if having 2 masters degrees increases your chances of landing a phd?

I am currently doing a masters degree(cancer biology) but my undergrad was not so great - I barely managed to get a 2.1. So I was thinking of doing 2 masters to hopefully get a studentship(cancer research related) for the following year.

Thank you very much for the replies. The only problem with what you both are suggesting is that, applications for PhDs in my area have already started with some deadlines being as close as the 12th of November. As of now, I have and will not have any indication of my masters degree process when im called up for a interview (around january).

Thanks for all the help though! I will try my best

Hello,

PhD advise seems to be a common thread amongst the TSR postgrad community. This thread provides an insight into the early and later PhD application process.

Warning! This is not a definative guide by is aimed to be added to with other peoples advise.


Mod edit: this post has also been added to the TSR wiki, and expanded upon. It can be found at: PhD Courses: Tips and Advice for Making your Application. Many thanks to Epoch for his hard work!


Reasons for doing a PhD

Everyone has thier own reasons for doing a PhD but serveral things are considered a must

1) Commitment and an eye for detail
2) Intelligence (not merely high grades but a willingness to learn etc)
3) Independance
4)Aspiration
5) Passion for your subject

Keep these in your mind during the application process and interviews!

Applying for a PhD

First things first think about what you want to do, the subject your intrested in and make a list of ideas. A good person to seek early is your supervisor if still at uni. They should stear you in the right direction and give you sound advise. But be warned some academics an be out to curtail your plans before you start and are best ignored!

Ok now to start looking for your subject area. A great place to start is

www.findaphd.com

This list all current phd courses in all subjects and is a great place to see whos offering what. Then start looking for department specific websites this is where there are detailed PhD listings. Remember PhD details will be released at different times so contact the postgraduate admissions tutor.

Fear not! if your subject of choice is not there then contact the academic staff directly with your C.V and a letter detailing you situation and intrests. This is a good way to get first hand advise and also a way of testing the water some what regarding your credentials

At this point make sure you know the funding situation of the PhD as this will dictate much of the application process. You can be awarded a PhD place with no funding which is very difficult to pursue.

As a rule in house school scholarships are very hard to get so projects which are specifically funded are worth finding.

The C.V

Now you have found your course or have a contact in the department of your choosing sit down and get that C.V in order. For PhD places an academic C.V is often needed. This is a posh term for a detailed subject break down of your undergrad and postgrad (if any) degrees so far. Include any relevant experience relating to the project and do not be afriad to tailor a C.V for an individual PhD. It helps to be affilitated with a academic society as this shows that you are serious and implies that you are well read (May be!).
This keeps cropping up in discussions and I would like to help provide a guide line about what to expect as I have been through a few already!

Good C.V links
http://www.prospects.ac.uk/downloads/documents/prospects/IDD/Special%20Interests%20Series/CVs/2007/Academic%20CV%20updated%20version.pdf

http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/humanresources/jobsintro/apply/cv/

http://www.jobs.ac.uk/careers/articles/1220/Academic_CV_Building_Where_to_Start

Coverng letter and Online applications

The covering letter may not be asked for as of the variety of submission processes that each university may imply. Make it concise why have you chose this PhD and what makes it suited to your skills. Do not try to answer the question just outline why you want this place and your qualifications and where you currently study/work.

Online applications are slightly more difficult in that more specific details need to be employed. However if you have a good C.V then it becomes easier to fill in. Personal statements for PhD need to be academically focused as well as social.

DONT forget your references

Remember to ask academic staff which know you and are not just associated with the subject. From this they want to know whether you are hard working, commited and shown intrest in the subject before. Pick your references carefully as they have possibly the most say in the early PhD selection process

The research proposal
This is where I need help and addition advise would be greatly accepted! I did not have write a long one alot of science subjects do not need one at all but arts most likely do. Consultation with the supervisior of the PhD is paramount in my experience.

Now you wait and hope for the dreaded interview.............

The Interview
This is not a definative guide and it would be good for other people to contrbute there experiences and opinions on the matter

The "formal" interview and Interview styles

The interview can take two different paths the first often an informal chat with the supervisior where the project is discussed generally

The second is usually a board of people usually 3 to 5 which ask questions. As far as I know Oxbridge is different in this respect they seem to have a series individual interviews.

What to expect

The first question in most interviews seems to be "Why do you want to do a PhD and what has brought you to this position so far ?"

What follows is a series of questions that is designed to test your knowlegde of the basic aspects of the programme. What it entails and what contibution is expected. The project supervisor will want to know specifics the other will want to see how you delt with the question.

During my interview they seemed to want to see my past work, e.g dissertation etc. but they would never ask directly. It is a good idea to have the work prepared and key places marked. Make sure you know the work in depth and be prepared to ask answer any questions on it.

Usually if the PhD involves a studentship or is funded by an outside body they will have a representative. They will assess how you present youself and will probably want to hear how the project is likely to benefit the company or the University.

The interview panel want you to express a wider knowledge. It is key you have read reccomended references and understood them as it will just help your case. Also find out what is cutting edge at the moment and bring with you or make a typed sheet with problems you might want to tackle during the PhD

Remember that you do not want to answer the PhD title but you are aware of lines of evidence that you might want to pursue.

Presentations

Be confident and speak fluently. Made the audience know you are confident (even though you might not feel like it)

Focus on your research unless asked not to and relate this to the project. Essentially what can you bring to the table?

Have it practiced and timed. Draw together on a concluding slide and expect questions

You and yourself!

At the interview they want to see that your motivated to do the project and prepared.

Be confident and don't be afriad to say "I don't know".

Wear something smart. I know some places are not to fussy but it never harmed any one to look smart on interview

Try not to be nervous!


Again each institution has its own style and i would like to open a thread to disscuss the possiblities.

!!!!Sorry about the poor spelling!!!!