Hi Folks

Does 1 + 3 PhD mean 3 years with a possible extension for a further year?

Are these quite common?

Angelette

Thanks to both for your helpful ideas. I'm going to see how far I can get with this idea, and it is probably a good idea to check with a potential university first.

Regards

Angelette ;-)

HI DanB

It could be a good idea. It's useful to show you're trying to get on well with a partner's family.

Angelette :-)

Hi Doodles

Thanks for your reply.  If I went ahead it would be purely for my own interest, and unrelated to employment. I know many PhD students may complete their studies with the idea of creating more job opportunities for themselves.  As a mature student, I would not have that pressure, so that is one positive thing.

I will need to be self financing, as in open competition with so many others right now, my chances of getting any funding would be extremely slim. But again, self financing could be done.

My old MSc was in Urban Science, which covered a number of subjects, social studies, programming, bit of operations research, bit of economics etc.  I would be considering something in the Social Sciences again, as I find it interesting, and straightforward to understand. High level chemistry would not be my thing!

I have read on the forums that it could be a good idea for anyone interested in doing a PhD, to do an introductory/refresher course in research methods first.

Do you reckon that could be a good idea?

Angelette

It has been almost 20 years since I passed my MSc. Since then I have married, worked in public services, brought up a family etc.

Laterly I have been seriously thinking about taking up studying again - part time. My ambition would be a PhD.

Clearly I could not just turn up at a University and say 'Gizza a PhD'. But what would be the best way to approach this? Would I have to do another Masters, to get 'up to speed'. My work is unrelated to the area I would like to study. My Masters would be quite relevant, but it's virtually historic now.

Does anyone know of other PhD students returning to study after such a long gap?

Any advice welcome.

Angelette

:-)

Hi Wray

My take on things would be that you should concentrate more on finding a new job than studying for now.  Have you considered doing a PhD part time, and working as well? Would that be a possibility for you?

Sometimes potential employers can be jealous if they know you have a PhD.

Have you had any professional career advice, eg on CVs and interview techniques in the last few months?  Hope I'm not 'preaching to the choir' here, but sometimes really smart people can overlook some really basic flaws in their job applications.

Angelette

Go for it - Why not?

If you don't try - you may feel 'Well I could have got that but I didn't try'.

If you don't get it - you're not going to lose anything.

Angelette

Hi Folks

If I do a PhD, I will have to fund it all myself. Does anyone have experience of this? Does anyone know of someone who is doing this? Is it common or rare?

Regards

Angelette8-)

Taking into account the huge investment of time and energy in achieving a PhD - what would you say is the main motivation for you? Love - of the subject/studying in general, or money - the prospect of getting a higher paying job than might be available with just a first degree.

This is without going into the possible 'love of money' - who knows where that might lead!

Angelette

Thanks for this Folks.

It makes things a bit clearer.

Angelette

I don't know if this is an urban myth or not. I did hear that 7 is the maximum number of years by which you must complete a part time PhD. Is there any truth in this?

Angelette

Hi Beefy

It depends on your friend's economic circumstances.  It might be a good idea for him/her to concentrate on getting another job as a priority if he loses his current one. He could then investigate doing a PhD part time.

I understand sometimes having a PhD can put prospective employers off hiring you.

Angelette

Thanks for this Bilbo.  I'm just investigating the possibilities at the moment. Cost is a major factor.  I would be studying part time if I did decide to go ahead. I would be meeting my own costs.  I think the fees at the OU are about £1700 a year for a UK student. Are there a lot of other costs as well - apart from  general living costs?

Angelette

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Has anyone got information/experience of doing a PhD with the Open University? How much has it cost them? How would that compare with doing a PhD with a 'brick' university?

Regards

Angelette 8-)