The best way if you want to do your own project is to read loads and then write a proposal that you think will fill a gap in the literature. Then email someone whose interest is similar to your proposal and say that there you feel there is a need for this research and you would like them to supervise you. Then if they are interested they will normally point you in the direction of funding. The most important think to remember is that a PhD is an individual project so you ave to show that you have initiative to come up with your own ideas and get your potential supervisor intrigued in your potential, If you just apply to someone and say you are generally interested in their topic why would they pick you out of all the people who would like to get a scholarship. Lecturers get people emailing them all the time so you have to show why you are different to all the other people they get applying.

I disagree that difficult to get funding for an individual project as I got offered funding in 4 universities this year for my project. (Although this was in the social sciences so maybe a bit easier, I don't know). I think the most important thing is to write a good proposal, I took about 3 months writing mine. But you have to remember that that is your chance of demonstrating your abilities to your potential supervisor so you have to do the best proposal you can

I have only been going a few month, but so far has just really been going into my department reading and normally talking to my fellow PhD students about how we have no idea about what we are doing! I guess soon when the panic hits will be doing more work. In terms of free time I have no lectures and meet my supervisor once every few weeks, so have all the free time I want, just depends on myself how much work I want to do. Not sure about part time work as everyone in my department has funding so dont know anyone who works, but some people do some tutorials and teaching. Guess though, a PhD is an individual thing some people can manage their time well so get loads done when they have the opportunity, myself I need to sit down all day just to get a few hours work done!!

You don't say what field this is in. But I would be surprised if there is no literature of any kind related to his topic. I could be wrong but I think there is only one paper that has been written that was so unique it did not have any references in. The proposed supervisor that he approached must have some knowledge of the area for him to ask him to be his supervisor, and so if he is asking for the literature review he must believe it is possible. Your friend should just write the literature review saying why his proposal is unique, by explaining what has already been researched and how his research area is different to this. This will make it clear to the supervisor his research is necessary and may make them more keen to supervise him

If you look at his past papers do they normally follow a quantitative or qualitative methodology and how do these relate to your proposed methodology? Although if he did not specify why he did not think your methodological approach was suitable for him. I would suggest he is not that interested in the project. As normally if they are interested they will try and persuade you to change your methodology to what they normally use. As most supervisors think their methodology is best.

I was wondering if anyone is using Academia.edu and how they use it. Do you wait until you have some published papers to upload or do you put things up you are currently working on. I have not used it at all yet but was thinking of signing up

Also I would say that if you got this grade from a top uni with world famous academics in your field working there, it will be well respected. Most universities will recognise this and will offer you a place, as academics generally know where's a good uni and where is not. For example someone with a 2:1 from Oxford more likely to get accepted and funding for a PhD than someone with a distinction from London Met

I would say if its possible you should try and get some publications out of your work. This would then demonstrate that even though your marks are not as high as they would have been somewhere else, the work is of a really high standard. If you had some publications you would then be in a very strong position to get into a top PhD programme.

I try to mix it up, so when I get bored will listen to music for abit. Although generally think I concentrate better with no music.

I think you would struggle to get a scholarship in the UK with a merit to be honest, as it is so competitive. I just started my PhD and everyone with a scholarship has a distinction. Although no harm in applying

I just started my PhD in human geography, so three more years left to go!!