Overview of azhan on PostgraduateForum.com

Overview of azhan

Signup date: 13 Sep 2019 at 12:11pm

Last login: 26 Nov 2022 at 8:22pm

Post count: 45

Recent Posts

Mature PhD (with relevant work experience)

azhan 45 posts
4 years ago

Of course not. If you like to do a PhD then go for it. I'm pretty sure you're not the first person to do a PhD with that background.

You have more chances of doing a PhD in a STEM field without a master's. I'm not sure about humanities fields though.

It's tougher to get a PhD position without a master's but it's not possible.

I suggest you contact the university you wish to enroll in for the entry requirements.

Applying a PhD in the same university I got my degree and masters?

azhan 45 posts
4 years ago

Quote From pm133:
This sort of thing is very common now. People stay at their home university for a host of reasons. I wouldn't worry about how it will look. What matters is your research.

I would agree with this statement.

Applying a PhD in the same university I got my degree and masters?

azhan 45 posts
4 years ago

Good points. I guess most people continue the same university because of funding (as it's hard to get these days).

Applying a PhD in the same university I got my degree and masters?

azhan 45 posts
4 years ago

What's your opinion on this matter? It seems to be quite common.

Thanks.

Concerned I made the right choice of university...

azhan 45 posts
4 years ago

Quote From tarabeesley:
The ex-poly is Portsmouth. It isn't a bad place at all.

Portsmouth has got good reputation and reviews from many students. If they are funding you then that's an achievement. In PhD level, it's hard to get a place in any university but it's even harder to get a PhD place with funding. That's more of an achievement and people will respect you on that because most people cannot achieve that.

I've experienced both Russell Group and ex-poly, I didn't really see much difference between both. In fact, in terms of support, I got more from an ex-poly than the Russell Group.

Don't worry about careers afterward. There are numerous people who have gone through these universities and succeeded.

Go with the funding one. You don't want the debt later on in life. Imagine what else you can do with that money? A lot.

Concerned I made the right choice of university...

azhan 45 posts
4 years ago

Quote From tarabeesley:
Thanks so much for the incredible response. I have found it very useful. I'm still very conflicted about this issue. It seems a lot of you feel it doesn't matter that much about the institution so long as the project is excellent. I think one or two did imply that elitism is still rampant in academia and I have felt that occasionally. After I have described my research, people seem to cool down a bit when I tell them about the institution or say 'oh, I don't know about the research at that place'. My dream is to be a leader in my particular field - to publish a book and be internationally recognised... I know I made it harder for myself at an ex-poly. I beat myself up about it a bit because it was within my reach to go anywhere given my results.
I just wish I knew whether to carry on here. It seems there is no clear answer. Perhaps after I pass my first year I can consider transferring, if a different university will have me?

Thanks very much

Which universities are we talking about? Can you provide which ones?

Concerned I made the right choice of university...

azhan 45 posts
4 years ago

I just was talking to someone about this. It was about self fund yourself and go to a Russell Group university or go to a ex-poly that is funded (fully)?

It was agreed that the funded option was far better not because of the funding but also the supervisors were very famous in their niches. There are qualified staff in ex-poly.

I will not worry about the status. In fact, most people in this day of age don't really know what is an 'ex-poly'.

Scholarship

azhan 45 posts
4 years ago

Hi,

I was a PhD student Liverpool University which contained a scholarship. I cannot comment in regards of rent because I was living with my parents but I would say Liverpool area is quite cheap in general.

What course are you doing? I was in the Computer Science department?

Self Fund for 1st year or Wait

azhan 45 posts
4 years ago

Have you tried getting feedback from places you requested funded on why they wouldn't fund you?

It might be something about your research?

Self Fund for 1st year or Wait

azhan 45 posts
4 years ago

I personally wouldn't pay for a PhD. I rather get a studentship than pay it myself. I remember back in college, a teacher quoted that "PhD as a whole benefit more to the university than yourself. Why should you pay for it?". I would try getting funding first before paying a penny.

I'm sure there is something out there for you.

What's the point in going to conferences as a PhD student?

azhan 45 posts
5 years ago

I'm not really sure, people have been recommended me to do so but I'm not sure if it's worth my money? I don't see any traction, it's not as though it will help me pass my PhD. I guess if you have grants then why not but for the purpose of the PhD, it is not required.

Do PhD students automatically get two supervisors?

azhan 45 posts
5 years ago

Hi,

When I was enrolled, I was told that I would get 2 supervisor but ended up with one when I started the course. However, I do recommend having 2 supervisors (or more) because sometimes your primary supervisor may not be suitable in some areas. You also get more support.

It's sort of a hassle with one as your work is one sided. It's best to have two heads instead of one.

PhD Appeal in a British University

azhan 45 posts
5 years ago

Quote From Kareem:
Thank you eng77. Hi, Azhan, please read my last comment for some good news, I have already won my appeal and I got the PhD after more than 3 years 😊

Hi,

Sorry, I just noticed it.

Thanks.

PhD Appeal in a British University

azhan 45 posts
5 years ago

Hi,

I've experienced appeals before and based on my experience and I'm going to be truthful, the chances of winning are slim. What I noticed is that appeals generally favor more on the examiner's feedback than anything else.

It's hard to believe this but don't be surprised if they didn't consider your appeal.

Kind regards.

Does the ranking of the university matter for PhD?

azhan 45 posts
5 years ago

Quote From pm133:
You need to be thinking about the quality of the research and the reputation of your group rather than wasting time on nonsense such as university rankings. After that, you need to be thinking about producing great papers and networking. Honestly, obsessing over rankings is a waste of time and energy unless you are talking about Cambridge or Oxford.

I have worked alongside people in permanent academic posts who went to ex- polytech unis and people from Russell Group unis who can't get out of post doc hell.

There is a lot of snobbery about these institutes but it's all bullshit and in my experience it's largely coming from students who went there. Please don't allow yourself to be distracted by this sort of thing.

Thank you for your experience, it sounds you know a lot about this idea of PhD. I guess I should focus on the research itself.