I think you have to ask yourself why you got a third. If you don't have any real interest in academic study then doing a PhD is a really bad idea. As one of the articles linked to from this site said: don't do a PhD because you can't think of anything else to do, that's what Masters degrees are for.

Myra, sorry i could not respond because I was out of uni. My email is [email protected]. I am from West Africa.

ive just finished my 4 year undergrad physics masters and missed a 2:2 by 2% (48.3). I am now considering starting a teaching course in sep 06 after taking a year out-not something i have ever wanted to do but am pressure by my parents :( I am unsure what i can do with my 3rd class degree and whether or not i would have any chance of getting onto a physics phd anywhere? any advice will be well recieved, thanks

Stu, just cos you're not getting any don't take it out on me. I'm not intending to sleep with anyone, let me make that clear - I don't have any problems with that anyway. I'm just very lively and flirty, it's how I am. I wanted to know what people thought of me being myself or if I should tone down a bit for my hot supervisor.

hey, i'm really really excited about starting my PhD too. am currently finishing off my hideously boring MSc dissertation so the thoughts of starting are something to look forward to !

My interview was panel-3 guys. They asked eg describe any paper/seminar you've read/attended lately? Any scientific question you think we are able to answer? They wrote 2hrs later to say I'm on the reservation list incase their favored candidate doesn't take the offer. The next day they wrote to say the person took up the position. I guess most PhD interviews will test if you really are interested in science, if their programme is suitable for your need, if you've researched about them and if you have the motivation to finish it!

Maybe you should stop being so stuck up and take time to actually get to know them. Perhaps you would find that they're not so utterly clueless as you suppose

isnt it possible for you to visit ur supervisor or phone he/she. I dont understand how you can have a supervisor without meeting them or not knowing anything about them - that would freak me out. Do a google search on he/she to see if theyve taken part in any conferences etc and what projects tehy are involved in. Also see how many other students they have supervised to see how experienced they are.

I have done my masters in science of living, I want to do P.H.D in Children's changing behaviour and Science of living. I wish to do through a u.K institute or my research there. How should i go about it?
Please guide.

I have not applied to any uni for that yet but, I am looking at some uni website. Sorry to hear that you did not get the place. I guess you just have to keep trying. It is very difficult for international students in terms of funding. Was your interview a panel one? Did they ask any questions about their research papers? How long did they take to tell you that your application was unsuccessful? I'm asking these questions just to get an idea of what to expect when I start my PhD application. Hope to hear from you soon.

Hi S, No I don't have an interview. I am currently doing a Mres and hope to pursue PhD in the future.

Id say once you know the area you want to work in, try to get yourself noticed by supervisors you think you might want to work with asap. Although they may not advertise studentships until later, it will work in your favour if they already recognise your name - shows you are interested enough to approach them. I approached my supervisor in october, although I didnt actually have an interview etc for months afterwards

Personally, I'd start looking towards the end of September. I left it until December / January and missed some good opportunities. Plus don't always go by the deadline - get your application in early if you can; I was offered one interview a week before the deadline was up!

You should start to decide what area you would like to research, where you would like to go and what supervisors. Check university websites to check their research areas. Having done this, PhD projects that will be available to you next year will be advertised from around december. By all means enquire to departments about possible placements, but you will notice that projects for a september/october 2006 start will be widely available early next year. Hope this helps, best of luck.

Typically a pass is 50-59%, a merit is 60-69% and for a distinction you will need 70% or higher. This does vary between institutions though, for example not all have an intermediate merit grade. Best to check with your Uni.