I liked your site very much and I would like to know if there are similar sites showing phd's in USA - Canada - Australia.

At the end of the day I am as passionate about my research as the next person, I have written my first paper as an undergrad, I have done a lot for someone in my age and position. I don't mind working in labs but I know from my work etc how and where I work best.

This lot are even more barking than me! If you're doing a scientific PhD methinks you need at least the proposal to guide you in the right direction?!

I'm studying a specific bacterium but I'd swear that you could get a London bus to fit through my PhD advertisement!!!!

The proposal that I was given certainly was NOT a "spoon-feed job" either... about a dozen lines of "Year 99; identify y = 9 months work" stuff...

If it's a science PhD do ask for the proposal! You'll be tilting at windmills otherwise! Best of luck!

For teaching its not a masters you need. You will need to do a PGCE (postgraduate certificate of education). this is a teaching qualification, and you can do it for either primary or secondary education. I'm not sure, however, about the special needs speciality, maybe looking on UCAS for PGCE courses would help answer that part of your question

How about some flexibility yourself? You seem to think that the department is gonnna give you a PhD for doing just what suits you. You need to do research, that requires you to do whatever it takes to find answers to questions to which no answers have ever been given before. Labs are bound to be part of the work to find those answers. Be more flexible, next you will be moaning that the work is too repetitive, well PhDs are repetitive and in most cases tedious, but thats research for you

I mean, how about some flexibility on your part???

Seeing as you hate labs, you are gonna be in for hell!! I cannot believe you chose a PhD being that fussy about labs

The competition to get a graduate job with a fast track scheme is big when you approach the end of the first degree. Do you have a better chance of gaining such positions after PhD? Is it better to just get a job advertised for PhD graduates? I hear that a PhD can hinder job prospects as well as increase them by making the student too specialised. What are the jobs prospects like?

E.g. Why did you tackle this project? (even if it was allocated YOU should have thoughtful reason(s) for doing it); Why your particular approach? (you can't just say "my supervisor told me"); How your results compared to others? (be prepared to DEFEND differences/findings); N.B. don't rely on the paper review done at the start - check out the latest... be ready to comment on how this now reflects on your work... it could be that it completely contradicts you but as long as you can give cogent reasons for it doing so, that (apparently?!) counts.

What went well / badly? How you'd do it now, with the benefit of hindsight, etc. Most of all "they" will want you to show that it is YOUR project work, that you have thought about it (not just been told what to do). As it is your "apprenticeship" as a researcher you must be able to clearly demonstrate a REAL UNDERSTANDING and capability as an independent worker. All the best!

Hi. I'm a final-year undergrad and I've been offered doing a PhD at the university which I'm currently at with a studentship of £5,000. Would this be enough?

Of course no-one has found a PhD by asking for one on the forum!! these people show that they are not suitable at all!! they show no initiative, little intelligence and are down-right lazy

Stu, are you serious? 40hrs a week I can cope with, but I did over ten hours a day most days a week for the final year of my BSc... How the *$£@** do I double that and still survive?!!! Te hee!..

Yeah he is invited!! You can divorce him on the same day.

Goldfish, I think that was a typing mistake on M's part... a "telephone interview should *NOT* be a problem if you ask". I know Edinburgh and Cambridge do them, so I'm sure Strathclyde should be okay! Prepare well and all the best!

That should read 'i certainly hadn't planned to take a year out but it was the best move of my life'