The problem with the ESRC is they have cut their funding so much recently - think there are around half the opportunities there used to be (although I heard the other day they've increasef the stipend from 12k to 15k annually). I know so many good people with the research Masters who weren't accepted. I did think about doing extra units, or even trying to do another Masters, but - like you were saying about not wanting strings attached - I decided to self fund and concentrate on the PhD. There was no guarantee of funding that I decided to self-fund (have a PT job on the side to pay the mortgage)

I'm also in politics and been told similar - that your external and your supervisor (and even who your supervior's supevisor and external were in certain respects) are more important that the overall reputation of the University.

I agree that the reputation of the Uni has more significance at the Masters level, but that for a PhD you have to choose someone who knows, and is known in, their field. Who cares if you went to the best Uni in the country if they don't actually specialise in your area?

I don't have a recognised Masters or equivalent training and was basically told I didn't have a hope of getting funding. I got a very high distinction in my Masters (taught, not research), but it wasn't enough to be considered - I'm now self-funded.

It's annoying because the research methods covered at my institution are very statistical, which doesn't apply to the types of research I cover so I wouldn't have used them anyway.

Is there an education department at your Uni you can talk to about what teahcing involves at that level? You may also think about asking a school if you can go in and observe for a few days - I thought I wanted to be a teacher when I was young, but a week of work experience stopped that idea LOL!

I think it sounds like a fantastic idea. I can't believe that people would be more scared of walking away from a PhD than spending the next 2-3 years miserable and depressed. Plus, if having children is a major concern, then being a teacher is great as you have holidays off to be with your kids (my brother is a teacher and loves that flexibility).

You can always come back to the PhD PT - I do it (it's not easy, but it's definately not impossible)

Jay2007 - that's what I was hoping! The chapter itself is already quite long and I don't want to waste my precious word limit on repeating myself

LOL @ organization

LOL I didn't know you knew me as Mia - have you changed your username and I didn't realise you were the same person???

Hmmmm Commonsense is starting to sound a lot like Johannstein...could the two possibly be related?

I know this sort of thing always depends on the subject area, but how long are your introductions to each chapter - few paragraphs?

Freshers' Flu - get it every year

Did someone mention Alan Rickman....

Trying to imagine if my thesis involved handling spiders...bleurgh!

Can you arrange to try spending some time in a lab with mice and see how you get on? There is a lot to be said for seeing something you're scared off with the detached view of an academic reseracher who is conducting an experiment.

Cheers x

Contact the ESRC about funding opportunitites

You will probably need to get a Masters as well in this field - although it depends on what aspect you specialise in and some universities may not require it, but they won't be...well...the most prestigious institutions in their field shall we say...