hey ailisec thanks a lot im relieved to see that im not the only one to consider this ;)

Do you have any reading material for how to do citation for thesis or is that something I can google and find? And is that something you learnt when you started your PhD?

Hi guys,

I have a huge dilemma. I have applied to 3 PhD's in different countries and theya re quite different in focus. but I like all 3 of them and would be happy with any but my preferences are especially for 1st adn 2nd PhD's and the 3rd one is slightly less mainly due to the city and country where I'd have to stay put for next 3 years. I have the interviews this month for all 3 of them. However, the interview date for my 3rd PhD application is the earliest followed by 2nd and 1st application. So, the likelihood is that I get notified the results of the 3rd PhD by next week. By then, Im not sure if I even would have got interviewed for the 2nd and 1st.

So, have decided that for whichever I get accepted first I will take it. Since they're funded and very competitive I wont normally deny any of them.

But on the otherhand I am thinking what if I accept the 3rd PhD and in a week's time get accepted for the 2nd or 1st? Then should I ditch the 3rd PhD even though I would have accepted it a week ago? would this cause the University to Black mark me in anyway? what would be the consequences of it?

Well well...im a bit optimistic this year but i think i have a good chance in all 3 of them.

Thanks for helpin

AJ

,-)

Hi

I can understand your dilemma. Cos my background is in Public Health and I have a very good masters and was a scholarship holder by the European Commission. Now I am applying for PhD's in Public Health related areas and the dilemma is that although the Masters taught me various things reasearch methods was just a minor part of the training. So, at first I thought that I should do another 1 year Masters in social research methods before I actually apply for a PhD (especially with full funding).

However, I have made a decision to directly apply for PhD's and not do another Masters. This is because, I think most PhD students at the beginning will undergo some sort of reserach methods training whether its a special course at the university where you do your PhD or at another institute associated with the Uni or be trained under the supervisor's guidance and you can also read a lot of research methods books to update yourself. So, essentially no PhD student who has just finished a Masters will be expected to have excellent background in research methods unless you did a Research Masters or your Bachelors/Masters has been in Social Sciences.

In a PhD you also know by the project description that what research methods you would use. For example it could be ethnography or an action research or FGD's. So, you can take specific training for that particular research method. I assume that you don't have to know in-depth knowledge of other methods but of course its advantageous to know as many as you can.

I have done basics of SPSS so if i get into a PhD I would certainly do an advanced SPSS course to improve my knowledge in Stats.

So, there are plenty of options and there is no reason why you can't apply for a PhD if you already have a Masters.

That said, you have mentioned that your Bachelors grades aren't so good. I think that when it comes to PhD selection the selectors are more bothered with your Masters than your Bacehlors. The question is if you show motivation and relevance to that PhD. So, if you have done additional internships or have 1 or 2 publications then it helps a lot.

hope this helps!

Good luck!

AJ

Hi guys

I have an interview as well but its telephonic so im quite relieved ;-) I am preparing myself for it very hard and I hope I speak fluently and confidently. Its very important that you don't say lots of "ummm" "well" in your answers cos its shows that you know what your speaking and you have a firm backgorund in the subject. So, in any interview I would not pause so much between sentences in my answer and take down notes/key words that i can refer to. Its not so embarrasing to refer to them cos this is actually a sign to the interviewer that you have preapred well and you have taken down notes cos this PhD really means a lot to you.

Good Luck!

AJ

Sorry guys, I understood it completely different due to the hangover :p I shall keep it in mind to write the references when Im writing my thesis (up) thanks Ady!

Hi Ahandoo,

I am not from your field but I can say that SOAS is University of London so you can go for it if you want that to be on your CV however, London is a expensive city when compared to Sussex and considering that IDS is also ranked high and reputed. So, it also depends on affordability and costs and overall ranking of the two are the almost the same. So, go with your gut feelings. Good Luck!

AJ

Hi Walminskipeas,

I'm curious to know why is it so important to maintain your referees during the PhD? I understand that its needed only at the time of selection into a PhD programme but is it also important to maintain the references during the 3 years of the PhD? How is it useful towards the end of the PhD? Are we needed to provide references again?

Thanks

AJ

Dear All,

Those of you who have applied to PhD in Palliative care (Realistic Evaluation) at Northumbria University can discuss about it here. I think the interview is on 6th of January. So, good luck!

Kind regards

AJ

hi MH im sorry to hear your story but i think with your determination and motivation you will surely succeed.

I am not sure which Uni's you are looking at or in which part of the country you'd like to settle? There are many Uni's in this website that offer a PhD if yu bring your own funding...so some of the Uni's that I'd go for are- Sheffield, Liverpool, Durham, Northumbria etc..but again it depends on your taste of the city as well... so good luck!

I have an interview for PhD in the coming week so im very nervous!!!

Take care and happy new year!

AJ

Hi guys,

lets discuss how to overcome the nervousness during a telephonic interview for the PhD and how we should prepare for it..do's and don'ts

Thanks,

AJ

Hi

I think that PhD is a good investment of time and efforts. If you look at just monetary perspective then its not worth doing a PhD. But do remember that any high profile job will ask for research and Publications etc etc and PhD will give you that added advantage. Also it comes down to your personal life, if you have family or committment then you have to effectively choose between extra funds to take home or nominal funds but the exposure you get for yourself. I think a PhD is often a bit selfish but its a selfishness which we need and our loved ones would just have to deal with. I mean for example for my family they'd rather be happy seeing me in a permanent 9-5 job than to find me burning the night lamp and stressed out. But, I have been hunting for a PhD since a couple of months now and I am sure thats what I want to do even if it means that I'd have to be a bit selfish or wake up early morning and go to bed late nights. (which i normally do anyway ;P)

BTW Health Economics is an existing but also upcoming field. I know this because my field is Health systems/Public Health and Health technology Assessment (HTA). So, I know something about the field you are in. I can already tell you that you have achieved a lot in this field. It requires brain to do modelling and cost-effectiveness etc etc and you have managed to master all that. I mean I could personally never do well in it cos I dont have a math brain. So, you have to do something for yourself like a PhD. Once you get that under your belt, you can apply for a wide range of jobs in the HTA agencies, NHS, Pharma or wherever and your CV would be much more credible.

Hope this helps!

Good luck