Hi all,

After posting several messages on here and trying to get to grips with putting together a proposal (I am 56 years old and last time I was involved in academia was 1994 when I got my Masters) I have today been made an offer to start a Phd in Law starting next October!!

Be interested to know from anyone already studying a PhD (I will be part-time and home-based for most of the time) what I can expect!?

Also if there is anyone in my area of the country - North Lincs - be interested to make contact...

Finally, anyone studying a Law or law-related PhD out there?

N

I am on with re-writing my proposal.

Can you quote people in a proposal - eg: Joe Bloggs of XYZ company commented: 'blah blah blah...'?

N

What I would like to ask is if anyone on here has written a proposal/thesis that is Law related?

Either related to substantive law or legal practice?

N

Thanks for the comments. It is not over just yet as the people who interviewed me did make some suggestions as to changes etc that I could make - and how to make the proposal acceptable by taking it in a different direction.

I have found lots of new material and am starting a re-draft. I have also acquired a book which I am hoping will help generally with the format etc for a proposal.

Will keep everyone posted.

N

Had the interview and was politely told that the proposal was not of the required standard.

Since then I have had two more Universities email me and say that I have been rejected as my proposal is not of doctorate standard.

I have been recommended to read some books which discuss research and how to write a PhD proposal so it's back to the drawing board1

N

Although I have an interview via Skype on Monday for a place to study a PhD, I have today received an email from another University rejecting me and stating 'your application has not been successful as the project proposal was not of doctoral standard...'

N

Thanks for both comments.

Can you be offered lecturing jobs whilst studying for a PhD - but without a teaching qualification (eg: PGCE)?

He should be out in 6 weeks I think so it should not affect Christmas?

N

Hi all,

At 56 years of age and not having been involved in academia since I attained a Masters in 1994, I have a Skype interview with a Senior University lecturer - on Monday.

Submitted a pretty basic (and short) proposal as part of the application process

How should I prepare? What am I likely to asked?

And, equally, what should I be asking?

Any help much appreciated!

N

Thanks again Treeoflife.

Nige

Thanks again Treeoflife. I will post the outcome of the interview on here - it is on Monday 16/10.

I spoke today with a Prof and he gave me some really useful guidance.

I have been struggling to access (without paying!) papers etc - but he pointed me to SSRN which seems to allow downloads of full papers without the requirement to register, or pay.

How do other people on here access papers etc?

Is there anywhere one can access PhD proposals or completed theses?

N

That is interesting Treeoflife and somewhat along my train of thought - moreover that the Uni that I am being interviewed by want the money! I am being interviewed by a Law Professor whose experience is (as one would expect, all around The Law - yet my 'proposal' is all about the practice of law - ie: use of technology in the legal profession - which is more appropriate for a business school - organisational management, business models etc.

So, I find it strange that I am being interviewed by someone who writes on criminology etc!

Reading between the lines, the email invitation to interview seems to be a formality and that I will be offered a place.

So, the big question is - if I am only being accepted to make up numbers or for financial reasons, and if my proposal is not a suitable PhD proposal (and more akin to a consultancy document as 2/3 academics have suggested) - would I be wise to start the PhD (which will take years in part-time mode)?

Could it be the case that the supervisor will help me mould and evolve the consultancy document to become a valid PhD proposal?

I am confused now and IF I am offered a place I really don't know what to do!!

N

Thanks again everyone.

Whilst I have three Drs/Profs at different UK universities saying that my proposal is consultancy based and not PhD material, I now have an interview with another University next week - and I sent that University the exact same proposal.

Work that one out!!

N

Hi,

Many thanks for the replies. I have a Masters which is in Business Administration and completed in 1994.

I have submitted some applications for research and will see what comes back - likely all rejections as I just can't get to grips with the difference between consultancy and research!!

N