Purple and silver - I like it (has a kinda Hogwarts feel to it!)

The Fast Stream is tough and the whole process takes a long time, but I know several people who have made it through.

Because we find out our partners don't believe in Christain courtship anymore of course

I set myself deadlines...and then totally ignore them

What XJR said

clairet707 - what colour university tie should we have???

I was told that three years of a PhD is not as valuable as three years work experience if you want a career that doesn't 'require' a PhD. TBH in that sector I would concentrate on building up your career first - there are so many people with qualifications looking for these jobs (you need the experience too). You could study PT and keep working?

Exactly what I thought coastman - it's like having DanB back again!

Yes - you will need a Masters in IR

Even if you had a politics-related BSc/BA you would still need the Masters. This field is not like the sciences where you can go straight to PhD from undergrad - you will need a good Masters qualification first

To study IR you will have to get an MA/MSc first - you can't go straight to PhD.

In all fairness that is only your experience - you can't say you would have been happier if you had stayed in your PhD.

Social science is very difficult to publish in and the articles tend to be longer than in some field (usually around 10,000 words depending on the journal). You're expected to have something published by the time you finish your PhD, but at the moment even one publication is considered a bonus

Like I said, you need actual experience within an organisation (work experience, internship, paid work on a project)

PS If you really want to work for an international organisation get some actual experience with an organisation as well - there are too many politics students after those sorts of jobs that the qualification alone is not enough

Depends on your subject area. Science, yes. Social science you will need a Masters first.