You are in a difficult position with only a 3rd class degree, as that's not normally enough to be accepted onto a Masters course. As TomS says, be prepared to explain how you only got a 3rd and why you have the potential to succeed on their course.

However, there are other approaches - note I can only vouch for the UK model.

1) Contact the University where you did your degree. You may be able to resit the last year or just the exams for the last year a year later. Note, however, you may face a ceiling on the mark you can receive. In the UK, Universities set this at 50% although this is sufficient for a 2(ii). My feelings are this may be your best option.

However, if you look at this option then I would do the last year resit (entire year or just exams) as soon as possible after your initial degree as the University may set a time limit for this to happen.

2) Many Masters courses (at least in the UK) have a PostGrad Diploma option. This is offered in the UK to people with UK Higher National Certificates and Higher National Diplomas. This should also be available to people with 3rd class degrees.

At some point during your studies, you may be offered the chance to upgrade to the full Masters provided your marks are sufficiently high (I know of this happening to two people). Alternatively, the Postgrad Diploma on it's own might set you up to apply for a Masters at a later date.

3) Relevant significant works experience, say five years, may also be considered as an entry qualification for a Masters. However, even with this extra works experience you may initially have to start as a PostGrad Diploma student hoping to upgrade.

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I'll add a few years relevant works experience will strengthen your hand in all three cases, though relying on relevant works experience alone may lengthen the period before reasonable likelihood of acceptance onto a Masters course.

Ian

Looking at the above, I think there's little to pick between them. Both have companies situated locally working on renewable and green energy. Both have international reputations. Both names are recognisable internationally.

I can vouch Newcastle is a cheaper city to live in than Aberdeen coming from the NE of England myself, but I would not make this your main criteria for study. The prospects after you finish the course are far more important. To reiterate Caro's comments, it might be worth checking with companies which M.Sc. will be most attractive to them.

If possible, is there an open day where you can visit both campuses and meet some of the staff who'll be teaching you?

Ian

Chen,

I prepared a blog for students a long time ago to explain the PhD process from a UK perspective. Hopefully it will be of help to you.

As others have said, if you see a funded PhD offered the proposal process in order to obtain that funding has already been carried out by the University concerned. You are thus applying for the PhD as you would for a job (CV plus covering letter or alternatively University application form for the position).

As funding is already in place, competition for funded PhDs can be quite intense as it would be for some sort after jobs.

You only forward a proposal when you are designing your own project to a University / and or funding body in the hope it will be accepted.

Ian

Oh boy, what a mess.

I would suggest you don't go there given two very similar stories I know of from the past, which didn't end well. One was a senior female, who had a relationship with a male student. Another was a lesbian staff / student relationship.

In both cases the relationship was discovered, the former in spectacular fashion when said couple were caught in flagrante and in full throws of passion. In both cases, the senior partner in the relationship was encouraged to leave quietly or face full disciplinary proceedings for abuse of position.

In the former case, I believe the male student was allowed to complete his studies, however, was expected to leave once his studies were complete. I don't know what happened in the latter case, though again an uncomfortable time would no doubt be had by said young lady.

Put simply, the damage to both member of staff and student was heavy, in that the staff member lost their job and the student had no future at said establishment.

If you do embark on an affair with your supervisor, be very aware of the consequences and not just the potential professional damage. In both the examples I quote, the senior player in the relationship was single. In your case, it would be a married man. It is thus just not you and him, but also his wife and family.

I personally would look if possible to break ties with your supervisor as sooner or later, your mutual feelings will again flare into view with so long to go. If there's someone else who can supervise you, I'd look to move on to be honest. If after that a relationship does happen, then at least you're no longer supervisor and student.

Ian

The "Mackem_Beefy" is because I had a season ticket at Sunderland for years. I'm probably closer to a Woollyback (west of County Durham). :-)

There's another two Sunderland people on here who very rarely post. I admit I'm not on here so often now as I'm long since past, but pop by from time to time.

What's your connection with Sunderland?

Ian

I'll be blunt and succinct.

You can:

1) Do the corrections your examiners want and be awarded your PhD.

or:

2) Dispute or not do the corrections and leave with an MPhil or a fail.

You decide. :-)

Ian

http://www.findaphd.com/

...is the obvious place to start looking. However, check the small print and ensure the PhD is fully funded.

You might also want to check the vacancies on individual University websites.

As regards other questions you might have and other general advice, by all means take a look at my blog.

I also had a five year gap, but between Masters and PhD. I just slotted back in, as I'd done a lot of project and research-type work during masters.

If anything, the time out helped as I'd grown up a bit more by the time I started it. As a PhD student, it's no longer about trailing around for lectures and to me at least it was like a job with the obvious exception that I enjoyed it, especially the science.

Perhaps a read of my blog might help.

http://www.wearthesis.talktalk.net

Ian

Doing a PhD self-funded is quite risky, especially if you come out of it at the other end with nothing to show.

If you had funding, I'd have said give it a go and see how you feel six month to a year in.

Have you considered part time whilst working?

Ian

Submit if feel you can't do anything more substantial. Don't torture yourself.

I was glad to see the back of mine and was able then to press on with viva preparation.

Ian

Time to revive this again.

Another oddball PhD. This lass became a burlesque dancer as part of her PhD studies.

Mark,

A few discussions at my end have established my mate won't want to be involved as he's quite a private person.

Can I suggest you e-mail the student support services of a small number of sample Universities to see what support they offer and if they will suggest volunteers willing to share their stories?

Ian

I knew in my heart of hearts I wanted to do a PhD a long time before I did it. It happened, I enjoyed the experience (bar the grief of write-up), I got what I wanted. If I had not done this, I would be living now with regrets of what might have been. Could I have done it? I'd not have known. I try not to do regret.

I admire the fact you are putting your family first. That's only right. However, it seems to me that whilst you do this your husband is putting his own career ahead of everything else. Put simply, whatever you're doing at a certain point has to stop, because your husband is relocating or moving on.

Does he have to relocate or is this something he's choosing to do career wise? Again, it's more disruption in your life.

Can he not hold fire for a couple of years whilst you achieve one of your dreams or does everything just come to a halt on his say so?

If he has to relocate, could he not take temporary accommodation wherever he's going then come back to visit you when he's able? If the kids stay with you, then nursery and eventual schooling are not disrupted. Is that not "right" also. Is that not putting your children first?

Surely this should be a two way street?

I see you've already relocated before from your other post. Just for once, perhaps your husband should do something for you.

Ian