Great idea chaotic!

Admin: can we have a group exclusively for members to arrange meetings etc with each other?

Any ideas on what we might call the FB group?

I could certainly set that up in a few minutes.

N

Hi Chaotic and Nad75

I would be interested in meeting one or both of you too if that is OK and we can arrange a time and date?

I am studying Law and also starting in 2018.

I am based an hour away from Nottingham and probably not far from you Chaotic if you are North East.

N

Here here.

Well said Ringsound!

N

I have been speaking at length with a senior lecturer post doc of many years standing and he is of the opinion that grades are not that relevant and that applications should be considered taking into account many other factors.

That is seemingly what has happened in my case.

I have had rejections - but none based on the class of my degree - the majority have been simply that the institutions concerned have not had suitable supervisors.

N

Thanks Tudor Queen and Sophie.

I have set the ball rolling and have a couple of potential funders.

Will keep you posted.

N

Thanks Chaotic. AHRC have contacted me and said I need to contact the institution I am planning to study at to see if there are fudning opportunities - seems there are none.

I have emailed around a dozen law-related charities and await their responses.

The reason I am trying to secure funding is that I have always planned to self-fund - but have read on here that self-funding is looked down upon by those that have funding - and even that I will be made offers even if my proposal is (putting it bluntly!) crap...

I have to say that because of the specialist area of my proposal and the considerable amount of time I have spent to date looking for funding for law projects, I don't hold much hope!

N

I have PM'd you NAD75.
N

Hi everyone,

My PhD is in the field of law. I have yet to see any ESRC etc. funding opportunities available in my particular subject area.

How does one go about seeking funding from, for instance, commercial/membership organisations/even charities which may have an interest in my field of study?

Do I just write and send my proposal and ask "Are you interested in funding me, or contributing to the cost of funding my studies"?

Should I be talking about what there might be in it for the sponsor?

Etc.

M

I would stick with one proposal rather than suggesting that you might fashion changes to be in line with what the supervisor suggests.

I have had a number of offers and simply emailed my proposal with a note asking if the recipient or a colleague might be interested in supervising me.

In every case I received a response.

N

Thanks Nad75. Very useful information.

I can adapt my business working practices/hours - most of it is online in any event so I am not for the most part having to attend meetings/travel to see clients etc

I too am in the area of social sciences/humanities - I think we are in the minority in these fora?!!

What are you studying and where are you based/studying? PM me if you like?

N

[quote]Quote From bewildered:
I work in a faculty with the same entry requirements as Birmingham. We are not allowed to accept a student with your grades without special permission from the dean, who very rarely agrees. This is because the statistics tell us that such students rarely manage to complete a PhD.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Do you know where I might find the statistics you refer to please?

N

Hi all

To date I have always thought that I would need to undertake a PhD on a part-time basis - largely as none of the Universities in my immediate vicinity have made me an offer.

In general, how much time is taken physically attending a Uni on a full-time PhD?

And, when not attending the Uni, how much time is needed for study at home?

I have an offer from a Uni that is an hour's drive from home (I won't be moving home) and wonder if I might go for full-time there...

Having said the above, would I still have time to run my (sole trader) business on a part-time basis and also undertake a full-time PhD?

N

Hi pm133

Firstly, I apologise for using the word "appalling". I would like to put forward my experiences to date as they may be useful for others - particularly those with lower grades:

1. Grades: I am very conscious that my grades do not match the level that is generally acceptable to most Universities - most stating that one would be expected to have a 2:1 or higher. The approach I hav etaken in view of the aforementioned has been to approach potential supervisors before submitting formal applications.

Of the supervisors that have seen my proposal and which at least purport to have the relevant experience to supervise me, not one has been concerned about my grades - and in fact one actually stated that "a 3rd back in 1983 is probably equivalent to a 2:1 today".

2. Supervisors: I have been speaking at length with a senior lecturer at a University who has been giving me "independent" advice (he is not a potental supervisor, although his particular experience is loosely connected to my specific area of study). He himself completed a PhD many years ago having attained a 2:2 - and therefore did not see my 3rd as a bar to being accepted to start a PhD. His advice has been:

- carefully consider any supervisor - and in fact only accept any offer if there are at least two supervisors to be involved
- try and establish as best one can, that the supervisors are going to be around for the duration of one's studies (in my case, 6 years as I will be part-time).
- try and be, geographically, in a position to regularly meet face-to-face with supervisors rather than relying on communications via email, Skype etc.

Acting on the above advice, I have spent a not inconsiderable length of time researching supervisors and in fact your comment pm133 regarding "sweet nothings" struck a chord - and having researched the Professor I referred to, I will certainly not be accepting his/his University's offer as I discovered a number of negative things!!

Getting to the point I am at today has been tough - I have spent many hours re-drafting my proposal.

In terms of supervisor selection it really is a minefield. I just hope that I make the right decision - and I take on board your comments pm133 that I do not at this point in time know how I will cope until I start.

I would welcome your (and any other) comments on what to expect?

N

Some of the comments in this thread reference grades have brought a wry smile to my face!

I have a 3rd in my first degree attained 34 years ago - and a pass in my Masters (23 years ago) - and at 56 years of age have to date received THREE offers from Universities in the UK.

One Professor (highly qualified (Oxbridge/Harvard)) and with around 40 years of experience, in particular emailed and told me that my proposal was "an accomplished piece of work" and that he would be "delighted" to supervise me.

And, the subject matter of the proposal is an area that I have no recent academic nor work experience in.

And, finally, even at my age and with what some on here would doubtless consider to be inappropriate, and perhaps even appalling grades, I am confident that I will attain a PhD...

N

A "professional services staff member" is likely to be someone working in the legal or accountancy professions?

N