Yes

A PG Dip usually takes less time than a Masters degree and may have less stringent entry requirements for the course. Often they are shortened versions of Masters programs and many courses offer the option of transferring to a Masters course. Consequently a PG Dip is usually an easier qualification to obtain than a Masters degree. Assuming you feel capable of completing either course you need to find out which one will provide the gateway to your chosen career.

These things are both subject and career specific and you'll need to consult a careers advisor or contact relevant employers for information.

Both are excellent institutions for mechanical engineering. Go for the project that interests you the most.

If you want to do a PhD then the best option would be to start with the MPhil. If you complete the MPhil within a couple of years it won't look like a failed PhD, as two years isn't enough time to fail a PhD. As long as you can explain your situation at interview you'll be fine. Is your MEng an undergraduate degree?

We do try our best to make sure the information on FindAPhD is up to date. The universities that advertise with us are responsible for keeping the information accurate. For many PhD's no closing date for applications is stated and the position will be allocated as soon as the supervisors finds an applicant that they like. At this time of year the problem is exagerated as most PhD places starting at the end of September have been filled.

Subject to confirmation from the academic/university concerned we will remove any adverts from FindAPhD that are reported to us as being out of date.

You need the support of an academic and their university before you can apply for a research council grant. Hopefully they will spot whether or not the proposal is novel before the research council do. See our article on PhDs in the Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences for more information. If you're area is in science or engineering then you won't be in a position to apply direct to a research council anyway. See our Funding and PhDs Explained sections for further links and information.

The important thing to ask yourself at the moment is:

Will I have enough results for a good thesis and be able to write up before my grant runs out?

You should also be working this out with your supervisor and and other PhD advisers you may have. If you're all set to finish on time, then having to 'grin & bear' helping a new student is a small price to pay. If it doesn't look like you're going to finish on time then it's up to you and your supervisor to come up with a plan that gives you sufficient access to your experimental equipment and places more of the burden on your supervisor for the new student.

If you're worried about your attitude to coaching others affecting your future career it's probably not worth worrying just yet. Your current problems are probably just as much related to the dynamics of your research group as they are to any real problems with helping others out.

A 2:2 plus an MSc is regarded as being equivalent to a 2:1 for the purposes of starting a PhD. This means that you fulfil the research councils requirements, but you will still need to convince the supervisor. The research based nature of your MSc may even give you an advantage.

Is the context something like:

Mark your applications FAO The Postgraduate Admissions Secretary

If so then it is For the Attention Of......

PS problem solved, pickle sandwiches or both?

Where British and Irish citizens are concerned institutions have some leeway in accepting residency status. However these only apply if you have been absent from the UK as a result of your parents or spouse working abroad or as a result of temporary employment abroad. You should ideally be resident in the UK when you apply.

The best thing to do is contact the research council directly to find out where you stand. When you do find out, please let us know what they say on this forum.

For the ESRC '3' awards you must have a qualification that fulfills the ESRC's Postgraduate Training Guidelines. Your course organiser will be able to advise you of this.

Good luck Tuss & Myra - please invite us to the wedding.

No you can't take out a student loan for postgraduate study. You need to look at options such as career development loans or graduate loans. These do not offer the relatively favourable repayment options of an undergraduate student loan.

It would probably be a good idea, but talk to your university careers advisers about whether it would be necessary