A PhD would help a career in research.

If you're comfortable in a suit you might as well wear it. It won't hinder your chances.

You should try speaking to a careers adviser. An MA in Medieval studies could lead to work in museums or academia. Translation would almost certainly offer more job opportunities.

See our Funding and PhDs Explained sections for links and information.

You need to do a PhD in a field in which you have some specialist knowledge. You may be able to do a PhD in psychology if you find a project that requires your specialist computer skills to investigate a problem in psychology.

Firstly you should talk with your potential supervisor. They may be able to find funds to cover your fees and will explain what would be expected of you. It is likely that you'll register as a part time student, but you should still remain on a full time wage. As Ann has said this will be taxed as normal. Part time fees are much lower than full time ones and depending on how your work is structured may still allow you to finish within 4 years.

The main advantage of the 4 year programme is that you are in a much better position when it comes to choosing your research project. You will know the people involved, so will have a better chance of selecting a supervisor who you can work well with. You will also know a lot more about the very specific areas of research from which you will be given a choice.

As others have said here, you're also far more likely to finish on time, partly because you won't waste the first 6 months of your PhD filling in forms, finding out where the coffee room is and learning to pronounce the title of your project.

Yes - try to use two academic referees. You can use a third referee if you're worried that the academic ones don't actually know you.

There are very few scholarships available for Masters degree courses, particularly for international students. Try the Department of Education in your home country. Universities sometimes offer a limited number of scholarships - the details of these will be advertised by each university.

Try www.daad.org

You should only have to pay back money paid to you in advance. eg if you have already been paid for February you will have to return this money. You may need to check the terms of your grant though, as (although we are not aware of any) some funding bodies may apply other conditions which could include the repayment of course fees paid in advance.

Whilst your reasons for leaving may be private, you should consider giving some notice to your supervisor (you do not have to tell him/her why you are giving up). You will certainly need to give notice to your grant awarding body and it is likely that you will need to do this in conjunction with your supervisor. Even if your relationship with your supervisor is a bad, leaving unannounced will cause problems lots of other people who have nothing to do with your reasons for leaving and you should show them some consideration.

You CV should list your qualifications and include the title of any research projects you have undertaken as part of your degree or otherwise. Like any other CV you should list your previous and current employment (if applicable). In addition it should contain the names of at least 2 academic referees. If you wish to include a previous employer as a referee, make this in addition to the academic referees (unless you have no other option).

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There are very few positions available for a PhD in ecology. Ecology is in the top 3 of keywords searched on FindAPhD. Think about an MSc and voluntary work in the sector.

I'm affraid not. Unless you have UK resident status or have been in the UK for three or more years for reasons other than full time education you will not qualify for a standard UK research council grant. Time spent in full time education does not qualify towards residency.

If you are still not sure whether you qualify write to the research council concerned.