Yep Verdy, I really thought you could get away with using them for free as long as you acknowledge your sources and do not plan on having your work published. I am stunned.

Swantje, I can't tell you for sure but I assume it is like AHRC - in which case the application is NOT a mere formality (a lot depends on the quality of it) but nothing will be guaranteed (at all) until they get back to you.

You're brave - I'm not trying anymore. I have just received the file and have already ticked the "unsure" boxes and stated it's the (unlikely) university stipend or nothing...

I assume finding sources of funding other than universities or AHRC largely depends on your topic. I don't know of any charity collecting funds for psotgrads (we would all be praising it right here right now, lol), so I guess most charities etc. would help IF your topic is related to their action - or if you have any (learning) disability that they address in particular.

Wish I could be more helpful...

Good luck anyway :)

H, I think Ferrari is only just the norm now, so it's probably not too much to ask for, hopefully...

Sjo4, I cannot say that you answer will make me go for that loan but hey... you've sure made me smile

Juno: Private Messages ;)

I'm not sure if and how that would be possible, but you sure need some measures against spam. Also I don't remember seeing any guidelines/terms of use for new users? Maybe that would help limit spam and irrelevant topics...

Not to sure if I'm being pessimistic or realistic...

My reasoning is as follows:

I want to do that research for pleasure, not for a title. The possibility of trying for a career in academia would be nice, but I see it as some sort of a "bonus". In the first place I wanted to do a PhD because I dreamt of good working conditions for that research. But with that estimated 8%, I realise that the working conditions would not be that good - I can picture my hair turning grey in two days over money-related worries.

So I've pretty much decided to carry on with that research in my own time, keep the job I have now, and apply again and again.

Hi guys :)

So far I have only just made a few phones calls.

Bank: typical loan would have a fixed rate of around 8%, but I still need to go meet people to check if/under which conditions I am eligible for a loan. I also need to go to banks other than mine (- with the hope that they'd maybe be nice if they feel they could win themselves a new customer... but I'm probably dreaming...).

Parents: would be willing to (try and) cover tuition fees.


I told them not to bother for now, and that I'll probably end up asking them not to bother at all. Lately I've been thinking more and more often that it's probably not worth it without the scholarship.

Hi there.

I would suggest you make sure to keep some "her" time. Like, an evening per week, just the two of you (no friends, no phones, no papers or books in sight and so on), going to the restaurant or to see a movie, or whatever SHE likes best, or better still: something different each time, and above all something that YOU initiate, for her.

Hi there,

You're welcome :)

I loved Le Mans. But it is fairly small too, at the end of the day, so it may not be your best option - unless you want to be very close to Paris at all times (-only one hour by train), or are the biggest fan of Formula 1 ...

If I were you, I'd e-mail four or five universities and ask about fees and entry requirements.

It will probably take most of them ages to reply, so there's nothing wrong at all with doing it now :)

Otherwise, I reckon any Uni in France will offer MAs in French anyway, so you really have a choice and could actually apply for tons of them.

I am not sure about entry requirements in your case though. Are you a native speaker of French also by any chance? I am fairly confident that shouldn't be a problem though - I actually did the exact opposite thing: got my degree in France, my "maitrise" as an ERASMUS student in the UK, and then my MA in English Lit in the UK too. I got in without any problem, but I also had a referee from a UK university, which probably helped.

I went to Le Mans, which is somewhat close to where my parents live, and read English.

Personally, I would never recommend Paris! The course are good, but hard to get into. Plus, I am not sure about the fees but the cost of life is MUCH higher than anywhere else (x2 for the rent and transport).

Because I am originally from the "Grand Ouest", I never really looked at unis in the south or east of the country, but as far as "my" part of the country is concerned, I would advise you also consider Rennes and Nantes. They are lovely cities, quite big, with a great cultural life, and the Universities have really good reputations.